阅读说明：本技术 卫生管转接器 (Sanitary pipe adapter ) 是由 罗伯特·施密特 于 2020-03-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种用于引导介质(M)的管线的管转接器(7),该管转接器(7)包括管线段(8),该管线段(8)具有管状的第一通道(K1)和管状的第二通道(K2),该第一通道(K1)用于将所述管线段(8)插入到所述管线中,该第二通道(K2)与该第一通道(K1)成第一可预定角度布置并且被连到该第一通道(K1)。根据本发明,在第一通道(K1)的壁和第二通道(K2)的壁之间的过渡区域(9)中,在该第一通道(K1)和/或该第二通道(K2)的壁中产生至少一个模制部(10)。本发明还涉及一种具有测量装置(1)和根据本发明的管转接器(7)的组件以及一种用于制造根据本发明的管转接器(7)的方法。(The invention relates to a pipe adapter (7) for a pipeline for guiding a medium (M), the pipe adapter (7) comprising a pipeline section (8), the pipeline section (8) having a tubular first channel (K1) and a tubular second channel (K2), the first channel (K1) being used for inserting the pipeline section (8) into the pipeline, the second channel (K2) being arranged at a first predeterminable angle to the first channel (K1) and being connected to the first channel (K1). According to the invention, at least one molding (10) is produced in the wall of the first channel (K1) and/or the second channel (K2) in the transition region (9) between the wall of the first channel (K1) and the wall of the second channel (K2). The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a measuring device (1) and a pipe adapter (7) according to the invention and to a method for producing a pipe adapter (7) according to the invention.)

1. A pipe adapter (7) for a conduit for transporting a medium (M), the pipe adapter (7) comprising:

a pipe section (8), the pipe section (8) having a tubular first channel (K1) and a tubular second channel (K2), the first channel (K1) being used for inserting the pipe section (8) into the pipe, the second channel (K2) being arranged at a first predeterminable angle to the first channel (K1) and being connected to the first channel (K1),

it is characterized in that the preparation method is characterized in that,

in the transition region (9) between the wall of the first channel (K1) and the wall of the second channel (K2), at least one hollow (10) is present in the wall of the first channel (K1) and/or the second channel (K2).

2. The pipe adapter (7) according to claim 1,

wherein the volume and/or the geometry of the hollow (10) is selected according to the diameter of the first channel (K1) and/or the second channel (K2).

3. The pipe adapter according to claim 1 or 2,

further comprising a third tubular passage (K3), the third tubular passage (K3) being arranged at a second predeterminable angle to the first passage (K1) and being connected to the first passage (K1).

4. The pipe adapter (7) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

wherein at least two hollows (10a, 10b) are introduced into the transition region (9) between the wall of the first channel (K1) and the wall of the second channel (K2).

5. The pipe adapter (7) according to claim 4,

wherein the two hollows (10a, 10b) are arranged opposite each other across the cross-section of the second channel (K2).

6. The pipe adapter (7) according to claim 4 or 5,

wherein the volume of the first hollow (10a) and the volume of the second hollow (10b) are different in size, in particular wherein a first increase (Δ d1) in the diameter (d1) of the first channel (K1) due to the first hollow (10a) and a second increase (Δ d2) in the diameter (d1) of the first channel (K1) due to the second hollow (10b) are differently dimensioned, in particular in the transition region (9).

7. The pipe adapter (7) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

wherein the hollow (10) has a sickle-shaped geometry.

8. The pipe adapter (7) according to at least one of the preceding claims,

wherein at least in the edge of the hollow (10) an extension region (13) is provided, which extension region (13) adjoins the hollow (10), in particular tangentially.

9. An arrangement for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium (M) in a pipe, the arrangement comprising:

-means (1) for determining and/or monitoring said at least one process variable, and

-a pipe adapter (7) according to at least one of the preceding claims.

10. An arrangement as set forth in claim 9, wherein,

wherein the transition between the pipe adapter (7) and the device (1) is substantially free of play and/or dead angles in the region of the first channel (K1).

11. Method for producing a pipe adapter (7) according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the method steps of:

-providing a pipe section (8) having a tubular first channel (K1) and a tubular second channel (K2), the second channel (K2) being arranged at a first predeterminable angle to the first channel (K1) and being connected to the first channel (K2), and

-milling at least one hollow (10) in the wall of the first channel (K1) and/or the second channel (K2) in the transition region (9) between the wall of the first channel (K1) and the wall of the second channel (K2).

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein a ball mill and/or a circle segment mill is used.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12,

wherein, for milling out the at least one hollow (10), a tool is introduced into the interior volume of the tube adapter (K1) through the first opening (O2a) and/or the second opening (O2b) of the first channel (K1) or through the opening of the second channel (K2).

14. Method according to at least one of the claims 11-13,

wherein, for the production of the hollow (10), an imaginary guiding curve (L) is established, which has in particular two, in particular mirror-image-equal, straight segments, which are connected together by a curved segment.

15. Method according to at least one of the claims 11-14,

wherein at least two hollow sections (K1, K2) are milled.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a pipe adapter for conveying a medium, an arrangement for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable using a sensor and the pipe adapter according to the invention, and a method for producing the pipe adapter according to the invention. In this case, the sensor can be incorporated in particular into a pipe adapter, which can then be integrated, for example, into an existing pipe system.

Background

The measuring arrangement with the sensors and the pipe adapters is used in connection with a large number of field devices and/or measuring devices produced and sold by the applicant for the purpose of automation technology for determining various process variables. Examples of process variables include flow or fill level of the flowing fluid, and pressure, density, viscosity, conductivity, temperature, or pH of the fluid. However, optical sensors such as turbidity or absorption sensors are also known and fall within the scope of the present invention.

In many cases, the sensors are integrated into the tube adapter by means of a suitable sealing mechanism by means of a shape and/or force interlock (e.g. a friction interlock), even welded and/or bonded directly to the tube adapter. The person skilled in the art also knows a number of ways by which the pipe adapter can be integrated into an existing pipe system.

Introducing sensors into the tube adapter may be accompanied by undesirable gaps, joints, and/or dead corners. For a large number of applications, such as in the case of aseptic processes, in which the product is made from raw or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures, such gaps, joints and/or dead spaces between the individual components are not acceptable, or are acceptable only to a very limited extent, for example in the pharmaceutical and/or food industry. Such a connection area forms a potential receptacle for health-hazardous pathogens. For example, in order to avoid deposits in the pipelines or to avoid the formation of biofilms, it is necessary to ensure cleaning as residue-free as possible.

In this respect, different international and national regulatory bodies have set standards, in particular for the production and implementation of equipment allowed by sterile processes, in which the products are made from raw or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures. For example, reference is made in this respect to the standards of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), in particular the so-called "ASME bioprocessing Equipment-Standard" (BPE), "3-A sanitary standards company" (3-A) and the European design group "(EHEDG). The standards for ASME, BPE and 3A are particularly relevant to us transactions, while EHEDG is considered primarily in europe. Typical requirements established for components in these standards are particularly related to geometry and/or surface features, which should be established in such a way that no deposits can form and the components are easy to clean and/or sterilize. For example, there should be no narrow gaps.

With regard to measuring devices which meet these standards, reference is made, for example, to DE102013100158a1, which describes an integrated device with a sensor and a T-shaped pipe section. The sensor is arranged in a portion of the adapter such that an end surface of the sensor facing the medium lies flush with an inner wall of the first portion of the adapter. Thus, the end surface of the sensor is actually an integral part of the inner wall of the first part of the adapter.

Furthermore, a measuring arrangement with a sensor which can be introduced into an opening of a pipe section in a releasable manner is known from DE102016121643a 1. In order to prevent gaps in the connection region, at least one component of the sensor is designed such that, in the installed state, it terminates flush with the inner wall of the pipe section. Thus, the at least one component of the sensor is matched to the geometry of the pipe section.

DE102017115139a1 describes a measuring tube which is embodied in such a way that: in the transition region between the pipe section and the tubular body connected thereto, all points of the wall of the pipe section, in particular of at least a first part of the inner wall, which defines the opening, lie in one plane. In this way, a transition without gaps and dead angles is achieved between the particular sensor and the measuring tube.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the state of the art described above, it is an object of the invention to provide a measuring point which meets the usual hygiene requirements in a particularly easy manner.

This object is achieved by a pipe adapter according to claim 1, by an arrangement according to claim 10 and by a method according to claim 11.

With regard to the pipe adapter, this object is achieved by a pipe adapter for a pipe conveying a medium, comprising a pipe section having: a tubular first passage for inserting a pipe segment into a pipe; and a tubular second channel arranged at a first predeterminable angle, in particular perpendicular, to the first channel and connected thereto. According to the invention, in the transition region between the wall of the first channel and the wall of the second channel, at least one hollow is present in the wall of the first and/or second channel. In the case where the longitudinal axis of the second channel is arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first channel, the pipe adapter is a tee.

The hollow serves to prevent dead corners and/or gaps in the transition region, in particular when devices for determining and/or monitoring process variables are introduced into the pipe adapter. A hollow in the sense of the present invention is a predeterminable volume of the pipe section in the transition region, which is missing from the wall of the first and/or second channel. The exact geometry of the hollow depends inter alia on the geometry of the pipe section and the method used for producing the pipe adapter.

The walls of the two tubular channels are generally curved, in particular they have a circular cross section. Accordingly, the opening connecting the two channels together is also curved. This can disadvantageously lead to the formation of deposits in the transition region between the pipe adapter and the device arranged therein. This disadvantageous effect can be significantly reduced due to the at least one hollow in the transition region between the two channels. The feature of the pipe adapter according to the invention thus ensures a gap-free and/or dead-angle-free transition between the wall, in particular the inner surface, of the first channel and the components of the measuring device that can be introduced into the second channel.

Advantageously, no additional modifications of the sensor are required to meet established hygiene requirements. The component of the sensor or an end surface of the component may be arranged such that it terminates substantially flush with the wall of the first channel in the region of the opening to the second channel. Therefore, the established health regulations can be met without special requirements for the sensor. For example, a gap-free transition between the component and the wall of the first channel can be ensured.

The pipe adapter comprises two openings in the region of the first channel, for example for inserting the pipe adapter into an existing pipe system. In the case of straight pipe sections, the two openings are typically arranged along a common longitudinal axis of the pipe sections. However, the present invention is not limited to such a pipe segment. Conversely, the pipe section can also have at least one curved section.

Any fastening option commonly known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, a flange connection, a welded connection, or a clamped connection, may be used to fasten the pipe segments to the existing piping system. The length of the channel and the size of the pipe section may be selected to suit the desired application. Thus, for example, for some applications, it may be advantageous to minimize the length of the first channel.

Furthermore, it is noted that the pipe adapter of the present invention can be produced either as one piece or from a plurality of parts joined together. This may vary depending on the production method. For example, the tube adapter or at least individual parts of the tube adapter can be produced using a lathe or an automatic screw machine and/or by milling. For example, the individual components may also be welded to one another. However, other suitable production methods, such as generative or additive production methods, well known to those skilled in the art, may also be suitable for use in manufacturing the pipe adapters of the present invention. In the case of generative or additive production methods, such as, for example, 3D printing methods, the component is produced in a primary forming process. Such generative production processes represent, in principle, an industrial and large-scale production which enables further developments of the so-called rapid prototyping and are increasingly accepted by industrial production. Various production methods are established and are well known to those skilled in the art and therefore will not be explained in detail here.

In an embodiment, in the end region of the second channel, in particular in the region of the opening of the second channel, a thread can be provided in the wall of the second channel. By means of the thread, the measuring device or a component of the measuring device can be fixed in the pipe adapter in a releasable manner.

In a further embodiment, the volume and/or geometry of the at least one hollow is selected in dependence on the diameter of the first and/or second channel. Preferably, the volume of the hollow is additionally adjusted by taking into account the diameter of the device for determining and/or monitoring a process variable arranged in the second channel. In particular, the volume of the hollow is chosen in such a way that: so that the component introduced into the second channel ends substantially flush with the wall of the first channel in the transition region.

In order to avoid dead corners and/or gaps in the transition region independently of the diameters of the first and second channel, the volume of the hollow and, in given cases, the geometry of the hollow must be suitably adapted. The characteristics of the transition zone depend on the diameter of the two channels. Thus, in the case where the diameters of the two channels are different, other geometric features of the transition region are taken into account as compared to the case where the diameters of the two channels are equal.

A preferred embodiment provides that the tube adapter comprises a third tubular channel arranged at a second predeterminable angle to the first channel and connected to the first channel. Preferably, the longitudinal axes of the second and third channels extend parallel to each other, in particular are aligned with each other, such that the second and third channels are placed opposite each other across the first channel. In this case, for example, two measuring devices or two components of one or both measuring devices can be introduced into the pipe adapter.

A preferred embodiment of the tube adapter comprises the introduction of at least two hollows into the transition region between the wall of the first channel and the wall of the second channel. In particular, the two hollows are identical in terms of their geometry and are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another.

Advantageously, the two hollows are arranged opposite each other across the cross-section of the second channel. It is also advantageous that the two hollows are arranged opposite each other across the longitudinal axis of the first channel. In these regions, deposits or dead spots are particularly likely to form.

Finally, it is advantageous if the volume of the first hollow and the volume of the second hollow are dimensioned differently, in particular, wherein a first increase in the diameter of the first channel due to the first hollow and a second increase in the diameter of the first channel due to the second hollow are dimensioned differently, in particular in the transition region. In this way, for example, traps can be prevented from forming in the transition region of the two channels. This relates in particular to the case in which the second channel is oriented horizontally. This corresponds to the horizontal, lateral mounting of the device for determining and/or monitoring a process variable. For this case of a horizontal orientation of the second channel, the first hollow arranged below the first channel preferably has a smaller volume than the second hollow arranged above the second channel.

In another embodiment of the tube adapter, the at least one hollow has a sickle-shaped geometry. The surface of the first and/or second wall of the first and/or second channel in the region of the hollow is thus at least partially cylindrically embodied. However, the at least one hollow may be implemented in the most diversified manner. In particular, it may also have a rotationally symmetrical geometry.

In an embodiment of the tube adapter, at least in the edge of the at least one hollow, an extension region is provided which adjoins the hollow, in particular tangentially. In the case of at least two hollows provided in the tube adapter, the extension region can also be embodied such that it connects the two hollows to one another.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by an arrangement for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a pipe, comprising:

-means for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable, and

-a pipe adapter according to the invention.

At least one component of the device may be introduced or introduced into the second channel of the tube adapter. In an embodiment, the at least one component of the measuring device is a component of the sensor element. In particular, the component is a component which, during the continuous operation of the measuring device, is at least at times and/or partially in process contact with the medium, thus in particular in the region of the end surface. Advantageously, for this purpose, the tube adapter comprises a fixing unit, in particular a thread, for fastening the at least one component to or in the tube adapter. In this case, the fixing unit is preferably arranged in an end region of the second channel remote from the first channel.

Since the device or a component of the device terminates substantially flush with the wall of the first channel by providing the at least one hollow in the tube adapter, the contact area between the device and the medium is advantageously limited to this area. This flush arrangement thus ensures a substantially residue-free cleaning of the arrangement, which is particularly relevant for applications in an aseptic process in which the product is made from raw or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures.

The second channel and, in the given case, the third channel are advantageously dimensioned such that the device or the components of the device introduced into the second channel fit precisely therein. Thus, in the case of a cylindrical embodiment of the device or of the component, the second channel also has a cylindrical geometry, wherein the cross section is matched to the dimensions of the device or of the component of the device. In an embodiment, the second channel may also be at least a part of the housing of the component.

In one embodiment of the arrangement, the transition between the pipe adapter and the device is substantially free of play and/or dead angles in the region of the first channel. Thus, the device or component ends in the introduced state in the second channel, substantially flush with the wall of the first channel. Advantageously, no deposits or dirt can accumulate between the device or component and the wall of the first channel.

The device or component may be equipped with, for example, a sealing element in the second channel. In this case, the sealing element is advantageously an O-ring.

Another embodiment provides that the device is a capacitive and/or conductivity measuring device. The sensor element of the device then comprises at least a first electrode and at least a second electrode electrically insulated from the first electrode. This second electrode is also commonly referred to as a guard electrode. Therefore, a flush-mounted capacitive and/or conductive sensor is of interest in this exemplary embodiment, which is preferably used to detect a predeterminable fill level or conductivity of the medium. Such sensors, also referred to as multisensors, are described, for example, in DE102011004807a1, DE102013102055a1 and DE102013104781a1, to which reference is made in their entirety. Corresponding sensors are also manufactured and sold by the applicant under the name FTW 33.

The at least one component of the measuring device is then preferably an electrode assembly having an, in particular circular, end surface, wherein at least one electrode of the electrode assembly substantially terminates at said end surface. The end surface may be either planar or at least partially curved. In the state of introduction into the tube adapter, the electrode assembly advantageously terminates substantially flush with the wall of the first channel.

However, other types of measuring devices may be used. Another example of a measuring device is, for example, a device for determining and/or monitoring the pressure of a medium.

Furthermore, the object of the invention is achieved by a method for producing a pipe adapter according to the invention, comprising the following method steps:

-providing a pipe section having a tubular first passage and a tubular second passage arranged at a first predeterminable angle to the first passage and connected to the first passage, and

at least one hollow is milled into the wall of the first channel and/or the second channel in the transition region between the wall of the first channel and the wall of the second channel.

Advantageously, the at least one hollow can be milled into the transition region between the two channels after the production of the pipe section. Thus, on the one hand, existing tube adapters with two communicating channels can be subsequently processed to be implemented for use in aseptic processes where products are manufactured from raw or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures. However, various advantages also result with the complete production according to the invention of the pipe adapter according to the invention. In a first manufacturing step, two channels are formed in the pipe section. For this reason no special measures are required, thus making it possible to use, for example, lathes or automatic screw machines for forming the channels. Such production is fast and simple to implement and requires little effort. In a second working step, the at least one hollow is then formed. For this purpose, it may be advantageous to introduce a milling tool into the tube adapter through its opening in order to mill out the hollow. Thus, an adjustment of the geometry in the inner volume of the tube or tube adapter can be carried out for ensuring in a simple manner the aseptic conditions in applications in the field of aseptic processes in which the product is made from raw or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures. No complex, difficult, multi-step manufacturing steps are required.

For milling, a spherical milling cutter and/or a circular segment milling cutter are advantageously used. With such a milling cutter, the hollow can be introduced in the transition region in a particularly simple manner. In particular, a sickle-shaped hollow can be formed.

It is also advantageous if, for milling out the at least one hollow, a tool, in particular a milling tool in the form of a cutting tool or a chip removing tool, is introduced into the interior volume of the tube adapter through the first and/or second opening of the first channel (which is used for inserting the tube adapter into the pipe) or through the opening of the second channel. Due to the introduction of the milling cutter through the opening of the second channel, for example, a whole surface of rotation can be produced, and thereby a single rotationally symmetrical hollow, or even a plurality of hollows, in particular a plurality of hollows separated from each other, can be produced. In the case of a milling cutter introduced through at least one opening of the first channel, it is then possible, for example, on the one hand, to introduce the milling cutter through the same opening in the first channel during the entire milling procedure for forming the hollow. However, it is also an option sometimes to introduce a milling cutter through different openings, in particular different openings of the first channel, to create the hollow.

A preferred embodiment of the method comprises, for producing the hollow, establishing an imaginary guiding curve having in particular two, in particular mirror-image equal, straight line segments which are connected together by a curved segment. In this case, the surface of the hollow is produced in part by the geometry of the guide curve.

Another preferred embodiment comprises milling out at least two hollows.

The forms of embodiment described for the pipe adapter according to the invention apply in each case, mutatis mutandis, also to the arrangement according to the invention and to the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

Drawings

The invention will now be explained in more detail on the basis of the drawings, in which the figures are as follows:

figure 1 is a schematic view of a capacitive and/or conductive sensor for flush mounting according to the prior art,

figure 2 is a view of a pipe adapter according to the prior art,

figure 3 shows three possible embodiments of the pipe adapter of the invention with two hollows,

FIG. 4 is two cross-sectional views of a tube adapter (a) without a hollow portion and a tube adapter (b) with a hollow portion, for explaining the effect of the hollow portion,

figure 5 is an embodiment of the pipe adapter of the present invention having a second channel and a third channel,

figure 6 is a schematic view of a production method by means of a milling procedure along an imaginary guide curve,

fig. 7 shows a possible embodiment of the pipe adapter according to the invention with two hollow sections and two connecting regions.

Detailed Description

The present invention can be used with a variety of sensors 1. Without intending to limit the generality of the invention, for the sake of simplicity the following description relates to the case of a flush mounted capacitive and/or conductive sensor 1, such as is schematically shown in fig. 1. Furthermore, the invention can be used for a large number of different embodiments of the tube adapter 7, in particular a large number of different geometries. Also, without intending to limit the general applicability of the invention, for the sake of simplicity, the following description refers to a tee-only adapter 7. These considerations may similarly apply to other embodiments of other measuring devices 1 and tube adapters 7.

Measuring methods for supporting capacitive and/or conductive measuring devices, in particular filling level measuring devices, are known per se from the prior art. Corresponding field devices are manufactured and sold by the applicant, for example under the trade name LIQUIPOINT. A schematic view of a corresponding measuring device 1 is shown in fig. 1. The sensor 1 includes: a sensor unit 2, which sensor unit 2 terminates substantially flush in the pipeline when the field device 1 is introduced into the pipeline; and an electronic unit 3, which is, for example, releasably connectable with an external unit (not shown) via a connection cable 3 a.

The sensor unit 2 is embodied substantially coaxially and comprises an electrode assembly 4, which electrode assembly 4 comprises, in the example shown, a measuring electrode 5a, a guard electrode 5b and a ground electrode 5 c. However, there may also be electrode assemblies 4 having fewer or more electrodes 5a-5 c. Behind the electrode assembly 4 is a housing 6, in which housing 6, among other things, an electronics unit 3 is arranged. In addition, process connector 6a is used to releasably secure sensor 1 to process connector or tube adapter 7, such as shown in fig. 2-7.

Fig. 2 shows a pipe adapter 7 for a pipe (not shown) having a pipe section 8 according to the prior art. The pipe adapter 7 has: a tubular first passage K1 for inserting the pipe section 8 into the pipe; and a second passage K2 having a tubular shape, which is arranged perpendicularly to the first passage K1 and is connected to the first passage K1. Fig. 2a shows a perspective view of the tube adapter 7, while fig. 2b shows a sectional view of the tube adapter 7. Fig. 2c shows the same tube adapter 7, and the measuring device 1 as shown in fig. 1 is introduced into the second channel K2.

The two channels K1 and K2 have a circular cross section. The intersection of the first channel K1 and the second channel K2 in the region of the opening O1 is correspondingly curved. If a sensor 1 such as that shown in fig. 1 is fixed in the second channel K2, dead corners may occur in the transition region between the surface of the electrode assembly 4 facing the medium M and the wall of the first channel K1. The electrode assembly 4 introduced into the opening O1 generally has a geometry different from that of the portion of the wall of the first passage K1 surrounding the opening O1. As a result, deposits and/or media residues can easily form within the tube adapter 7, in particular in the transition region 9 between the end surface of the electrode assembly 4 of the sensor 1 and the wall of the first channel K1. This type of assembly is accordingly not directly possible in applications in the field of aseptic processes, in which products are made from raw or starting materials by applying chemical, physical or biological procedures.

In order to avoid this problem, according to the invention, in the transition region between the wall of the first channel K1 and the wall of the second channel K2, at least one hollow H1 is provided in the wall of the first channel K1 and/or of the second channel K2, such as is shown in fig. 3 to 7.

In fig. 3a tube adapter 7 with two hollow parts 10a and 10b is shown. As in the case of fig. 2, a perspective view (a), a cross-sectional view and a view (c) of the sensor 1 introduced into the second channel K2 are shown. In contrast to the variant of the tube adapter 7 shown in fig. 2, two hollow sections 10a and 10b are provided for the tube adapter 7 of fig. 3 in the transition region 9 between the first channel K1 and the second channel K2.

The volume V1, V2 and/or the geometry of the hollow 10a,10b can be selected according to the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 and/or the diameter d2 of the second channel K2. The adjustment of the volumes V1 and V2 and/or the geometry preferably takes place, in particular in the case of two diameters d1 and d2 of the two channels having different dimensions, such as is shown by way of example in the embodiment of fig. 3d and 3 e. For the variant shown, the diameter d1 of the first passage K1 is smaller than the diameter d2 of the second passage K2. In order to ensure a substantially flush-mounted device (not shown) for determining and/or monitoring a process variable even in this case, it is possible to do so in the following manner: the larger the ratio between the volumes V1 and V2 and the cross-sectional area of the first channel K1 is selected to be, the smaller the diameter d1 and/or the larger the ratio of the diameters d1 and d2 of the two channels K1, K2 is.

Another option is to select the volumes V1 and V2 of the two hollows 10a and 10b such that they have different dimensions, such as shown in fig. 3f and 3 g. The two views shown relate to the case of horizontal mounting of a particular sensor. For this case, this approach prevents the formation of traps.

The volumes V1 and V2 are chosen such that the first increase Δ d1 in the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 due to the first hollow 10a and the second increase Δ d2 in the diameter d1 of the first channel K1 due to the second hollow 10b have different dimensions, in particular different dimensions in the transition region 9. In this way, a parallel displacement of the horizontal axis B (which extends through the center M of the first diameter d1) relative to the central horizontal axis a of the second channel K2 takes place in the transition region 9 between the first channel K1 and the second channel K2. In this connection, horizontal means that the particular axis is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second channel.

For the variant shown, the volume V1 of the first hollow 10a extending in the lower region of the second channel K2 is smaller than the volume V2 of the second hollow 10b extending above the second channel K2. In this way, it is possible to prevent the lower wall of the second channel K2, and therefore the wall in the area of the first hollows 10a, from becoming deeper with respect to those parts of the lower side wall of the second channel K2 which are arranged outside the transition area 9, and therefore from forming traps in the lower transition area 9. In the case of recording a specific process variable by means of a measuring device installed in the second channel K2, the presence of such a trap or the medium M in the trap can lead to errors. This can be prevented by an asymmetrical embodiment of the two hollows 10a,10 b.

In all the embodiments shown in fig. 3, the hollows 10a and 10b ensure that deposits cannot accumulate in the transition zone 9. This effect is further illustrated in fig. 4.

Fig. 4 shows another cross-sectional view of the tube adapter 7 without (a) and with (b) two hollows 10a and 10b, thus corresponding to the situation shown in fig. 2(a) and 3 (b). In the case of fig. 4a, the dead space 11 is produced in the transition region 9 due to the different geometry of the tube adapter 7 in the transition region and the sensor 1 in the region of the electrode assembly 4. In the case of fig. 4b, in contrast, the two sickle-shaped hollows 10a and 10b provide a transition region 9 which is substantially free of gaps and dead corners.

It is to be noted here, however, that the invention is not limited to embodiments with two hollow parts 10a and 10 b. On the contrary, embodiments with a different number of yet at least one hollow 10 are possible and fall within the scope of the invention as well. Furthermore, the invention is also not limited to the geometry of the hollow 10 shown in fig. 3 and 4. Other geometries may be used and fall within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of the pipe adapter 7 according to the invention, which has a second channel K2 and a third channel K3. The second passage K2 and the third passage K3 are arranged opposite to each other and aligned with each other. Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the second channel K2 and the third channel K3 are provided with internal threads 12a and 12b, said internal threads 12a and 12b being used to fasten the sensor 1 in the channels K2 and K3. Furthermore, the embodiment of fig. 5 corresponds to the embodiment shown in fig. 3 and 4 and has two hollows 10a and 10b, one hollow each for the second channel K2 and the third channel K3.

Fig. 6 shows the creation of two hollows 10a and 10 b. The tools used in each case, in particular cutting tools or chip cutters, are introduced into the tube adapter 7 through one of the openings O2a, O2 b. The tool is guided in such a way that the surface of each of the two hollows 10a and 10b follows the guiding curve L. If a ball milling cutter is applied for milling the hollow parts 10a and 10b, for example, the sickle-shaped geometry of the hollow parts 10a and 10b is produced in a simple manner. However, other geometries for the hollow parts 10a and 10b are also possible and can likewise be produced, for example, by establishing a guide curve L.

Fig. 7 finally shows a further embodiment of the tube adapter 7 of the invention with two hollow sections 10a and 10b, wherein two extension areas 13a and 13b adjoin the two hollow sections 10a and 10b and are arranged in the edges of the two hollow sections 10a and 10 b. As a result of this measure, the characteristics of the transition region field 9 can be further improved with regard to the fulfillment of the hygiene requirements.

Finally, it should be noted that the length of the channels K1-K3 may vary depending on the application. Thus, for some applications, it is desirable to minimize the length of at least some of the channels K1-K3. Further, the length of the passages K1-K3 may vary depending on the manner in which the tube adapter 7 is secured in a pipeline. In order to fix the pipe adapter 7 into the pipeline in the region of the two openings O2a and O2b of the first channel, in such a case all fixed connections known to the person skilled in the art, in particular clamping connections, can be used and fall within the scope of the invention.

List of reference numerals

1 capacitive/conductive sensor

2 sensor unit

3 electronic unit

4 electrode assembly

5a-5c electrode

6 casing

6a Process connector

7 pipe adapter

8 pipeline section

9 transition region

10.10a,10b hollow part

11 dead corner

12,12a,12b threads

13,13a,13b connecting region

K1, K2, K3 channels

O1, O2, O3 openings

L guide curve

M medium.