DE102010022025A1 - Power supply device for autonomous field device, has thermoelectric generator integrated into blanking flange, and thermoelectric generator arranged between cooling body and thin wall bottom - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a thermoelectric generator (24) integrated into a blanking flange that comprises a thin walled bottom (21) and a retaining element (23) with low thermal conductivity to accommodate and fix a cooling body (25). The thermoelectric generator is arranged between the cooling body and the thin wall bottom. The retaining element is tubular-shaped and connected with a flange-far opening of the cooling body. The bottom comprises a cup shaped protuberance projecting into a process vessel (10) in a region of the thermoelectric generator.

Description

The invention relates to a power supply device for autonomous field devices, to which the energy required for their operation from the process medium is made available.

From the DE 10 2007 051 672 A1 and DE 10 2008 038 980 A1 are devices for power supply of measuring and transmitting devices known that exploit the energy content of the medium whose temperature is to be measured. The required electrical energy for the electronics is generated by a thermoelectric generator (TEG) from the temperature difference between the medium and the environment. In addition to conventional TEGs, thin-film TEGs, for example in foil form, or micro-TEGs are used.

However, the use of the known solutions quickly reaches its limits on an industrial scale. The available space is limited, the functional safety must be guaranteed even in explosive environments or in the presence of aggressive gases. The previously known constructions offer no possibility for this. Especially modular clamping solutions, as they are made from WO 2008/042073 A2 are known, are insufficiently integrated in the actual instrument or field instrument.

Finally, out of the DE 10 2007 056 150 A1 a sensor system with a thermoelectric converter for its supply known, which generates an electrical voltage when exposed to a temperature gradient, with a support member having a Wärmeleitkern which thermally couples the sensor and the thermoelectric transducer to the process variable representing the process medium. The design of this test agent disadvantageously does not meet the requirements for accuracy and response times in the industrial sector.

It has been shown that the versatility of the process connections often require individual adjustments, the cost of which is disadvantageous in terms of cost and labor intensity.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a power supply device for autonomous field devices, which can be adapted to a process vessel with little effort.

According to the invention this object is achieved by the means of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on a process vessel containing a process medium, with at least one free connection flange, to which no further process vessel is connected. Such flanges are usually part of process vessels and serve for the optional extension of the process plant or for maintenance. These connection flanges are closed by blind flanges. Such flanges are standard parts.

According to the invention, the power supply device with a thermoelectric generator is integrated into a blind flange, which has a thin-walled bottom in the region of the thermoelectric generator and a holding element of low heat conductivity for receiving and fastening a heat sink on the ambient side. The thermoelectric generator is enclosed between the heat sink and the thin-walled bottom.

Due to the low material thickness of the soil in the region of the thermoelectric generator, a good thermal coupling of the generator is given to the temperature of the process medium in the process vessel. Due to the direct Kotakts with the heat sink on the other side is located above the thermoelectric generator almost the entire temperature difference between the process medium and the ambient air, so that a high energy yield is achieved.

Advantageously, the design spectrum and thus the cost of storage by the standardized connection geometry remains low.

According to a further feature of the invention, the holding element is tubular and connected to the flange remote opening with the heat sink. Advantageously, a heat transfer between the flange and the heat sink is thereby largely avoided.

According to a further feature of the invention, the bottom in the region of the thermoelectric generator on a projecting into the process vessel cup-shaped protuberance. In this case, the thermoelectric generator is arranged at the bottom of the cup-shaped protuberance. Advantageously, a good thermal coupling of the transducer to the process medium is thereby achieved even with longer flanges.

According to a further feature of the invention, the floor in the region of the thermoelectric generator on an insert of a good thermal conductivity material. This improves the thermal transition between the process medium and the thermoelectric generator.

According to a further feature of the invention, the power supply device is supplemented by a temperature measuring device. For this purpose, the blind flange on the vessel side is supplemented by a protective tube, in which a known temperature sensor is plugged, which is fed from the power supply device.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. The necessary drawings show:

1 a schematic diagram of a power supply device to a blind flange

2 a schematic diagram of a power supply device in an alternative embodiment

3 a schematic diagram of a power supply device with a temperature measuring device

In the 1 is one of a power supply device to a blind flange 20 shown partially cut. A process vessel 10 that is a process medium 14 includes, has at least one free connection flange 12 on, over a pipe socket 11 with the process vessel 10 is connected and to which no other process vessel is connected. Such arrangements can be found in particular in heating manifolds of heating systems, in which both in the flow and in the return such flanges 12 are provided in order to expand the system if necessary. These connection flanges 12 are each by a blind flange 20 locked. This blind flange 20 has a standardized connection geometry, for example PN6 DIN 2527 DIN50 ,

The connection flange 12 is with the blind flange 20 by screwing 13 connected and sealed.

The process medium 14 has a temperature significantly different from the ambient air. Furthermore, it is assumed that the temperature of the process medium 14 exceeds the ambient temperature. The temperature difference between through the process medium 14 formed warm side and formed by the ambient temperature cold side is with a known thermoelectric generator 24 converted into electrical energy.

For this purpose, the blind flange 20 in the area of the thermoelectric generator 24 on the vessel side a thin-walled bottom 21 and the environment side, a holding element 23 low thermal conductivity for receiving and fixing a heat sink 25 having. The thermoelectric generator 24 is between the heat sink 25 and the thin-walled floor 21 locked in.

Due to the low material thickness of the soil 21 in the area of the thermoelectric generator 24 is a good thermal coupling of the generator 24 to the temperature of the process medium 14 in the process vessel 10 given on the warm side. As a result of direct kotakts with the heat sink 25 on the cold side is above the thermoelectric generator 24 almost the entire temperature difference between the process medium 14 and the ambient air, so that a high energy yield is achieved.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the retaining element 23 tubular and formed at its flanschfernen opening with the heat sink 25 connected. This will cause a heat transfer between the flange 20 and the heat sink 25 largely avoided.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the ground 21 in the area of the thermoelectric generator 24 a deposit 22 made of a good thermal conductivity material. This improves the thermal transition between the process medium and the thermoelectric generator. For the deposit 22 in particular copper is suitable.

Using like reference numerals for like means is in 2 a power supply device shown in an alternative embodiment. This shows the ground 21 in the area of the thermoelectric generator 24 one in the process vessel 10 protruding cup-shaped protuberance 26 on. The thermoelectric generator 24 is on the ground 21 the cup-shaped protuberance 26 arranged. Advantageously, characterized even with longer pipe socket 11 to the connection flange 26 a good thermal coupling of the thermoelectric generator 24 to the process medium 14 reached. Also in this embodiment, it is advantageous, the hot side thermal transition through an insert 22 made of a good thermal conductivity material in the ground 21 to improve.

Using like reference numerals for like means is in 2 a power supply device shown, which is a known per se temperature measuring device 30 is supplemented. This is the blind flange 20 on the vessel side around a protective tube 31 supplemented, in which a known per se temperature sensor is plugged, which is fed from the power supply device. Outside the process vessel 10 is the electronics of the temperature measuring device 30 in a measuring head 32 accommodated. The electronics comprise a DC-DC converter for adapting the voltage supplied by the power supply device to the Operating voltage of the temperature measuring device 30 and a microcontroller for measured value processing and a communication unit for data exchange with a higher-level process control unit.

Such a power supply device can supply one or more autonomous sensors in the immediate vicinity with electrical energy, which in this case are coupled by means of supply lines. Alternatively, the necessary electronics for energy management and possibly necessary buffer solutions can be completely integrated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

process vessel

11

pipe socket

12

flange

13

screw

14

process medium

20

blind flange

21

ground

22

inlay

23

retaining element

24

thermoelectric generator

25

heatsink

26

protuberance

30

Temperature measuring device

31

thermowell

32

probe

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007051672 A1 [0002]
• DE 102008038980 A1 [0002]
• WO 2008/042073 A2 [0003]
• DE 102007056150 A1 [0004]

Cited non-patent literature

• PN6 DIN 2527 DIN50 [0020]

Claims (5)

Power supply device for autonomous field devices, to which the energy required for their operation from the process medium ( 14 ) is provided to a process vessel ( 10 ), which is a process medium ( 14 ), with at least one free flange ( 12 ), to which no further process vessel is connected, characterized in that the power supply device with a thermoelectric generator ( 24 ) in such a blind flange ( 20 ) integrated in the region of the thermoelectric generator ( 24 ) on the vessel side a thin-walled bottom ( 21 ) and the environment side a holding element ( 23 ) low thermal conductivity for receiving and fixing a heat sink ( 25 ), wherein the thermoelectric generator ( 24 ) between the heat sink ( 25 ) and the thin-walled bottom ( 21 ) is included. Power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining element ( 23 ) tubular and at the flange-distant opening with the heat sink ( 25 ) connected is. Power supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom ( 21 ) in the region of the thermoelectric generator ( 24 ) one in the process vessel ( 10 ) projecting cup-shaped protuberance ( 26 ), at the bottom ( 21 ) the thermoelectric generator ( 24 ) is arranged. Power supply device according to claim 3, characterized in that the bottom ( 21 ) in the region of the thermoelectric generator ( 24 ) an insert ( 22 ) has a good thermal conductivity material. Power supply device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply device to a temperature measuring device ( 30 ) is added.

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