Measuring Instrument

Abstract

A measuring instrument ( 1 ) having at least one level sensor ( 3 ) for detecting a level of a medium, which outputs a level signal; wherein the measuring instrument ( 1 ) has at least one pressure sensor ( 5 ) from which a pressure measurement signal can be read at the output; wherein the level sensor ( 3 ) and the pressure sensor ( 5 ) have a shared process connection ( 7 ).

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A measuring instrument, comprising:
 at least one level sensor for detecting a level of a medium having a level to be detected;   said level sensor operably outputs a level signal at an output;   at least one pressure sensor from which a pressure measurement signal is readable at said output;   said level sensor and the pressure sensor having a shared process connection; and said measuring instrument configured in at least one of a group of configurations consisting of:   (A) a first configuration wherein said process connection is embodied as one of a flange and a screw-in thread; and said pressure sensor is arranged axially relative to said measurement instrument, and   (B) a second configuration wherein said process connection is embodied as said screw-in thread and further comprises an extension piece and said pressure sensor is arranged on said extension piece and further arranged laterally relative to said level sensor and aligned radially relative to said measuring instrument.   
     
     
         20 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said level sensor is embodied as a vibration level sensor.   
     
     
         21 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19  wherein:
 said pressure sensor is embodied as one of a capacitive and piezoresistive pressure sensor. 
 
     
     
         22 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a temperature sensor operable to output a temperature signal to said output for reading.   
     
     
         23 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said level signal and the pressure signal are operably fed into a shared electronic evaluation unit ( 9 ).   
     
     
         24 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 said electronic evaluation unit further comprises:
 a compensation module which is operable to perform a pressure compensation of the level signal during an evaluation. 
   
     
     
         25 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 23 , wherein:
 said level sensor is embodied as a vibration level sensor and the pressure compensation operably compensates at least one of a change in resonance frequency (fres) and an amplitude of a mechanical oscillator of the vibration level sensor that is due to pressure.   
     
     
         26 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 22 , wherein:
 said temperature signal is fed into the shared electronic evaluation unit.   
     
     
         27 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 24 , wherein:
 said compensation module is operable to conduct a temperature compensation of the level signal.   
     
     
         28 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said measuring instrument is embodied as a flow limit switch.   
     
     
         29 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said measuring instrument is arranged in a pump protection circuit.   
     
     
         30 . The measuring instrument, according to  claim 19 , wherein:
 said measuring instrument is embodied according to the EHEDG TYPE EL Class I standard.   
     
     
         31 . A method for operating a measuring instrument, comprising the steps of:
 providing at least one level sensor for detecting a level of a medium having a level to be detected; wherein:
 said level sensor operably outputs a level signal at an output; 
 at least one pressure sensor from which a pressure measurement signal is readable at said output; 
 said level sensor and the pressure sensor having a shared process connection; and said measuring instrument configured in at least one of a group of configurations consisting of: 
 (C) a first configuration wherein said process connection is embodied as one of a flange and a screw-in thread; and said pressure sensor is arranged axially relative to said measurement instrument, and 
 (D) a second configuration wherein said process connection is embodied as said screw-in thread and further comprises an extension piece and said pressure sensor is arranged on said extension piece and further arranged laterally relative to said level sensor and aligned radially relative to said measuring instrument; 
   operating said level sensor and   detecting a level signal;   detecting a pressure signal;   evaluating said signals output; and   wherein said level sensor and the pressure sensor are operated at different times at least in sections.   
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said level sensor and said pressure sensor are operated cyclically alternately.   
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said the pressure sensor is operated continuously and that the level sensor is switched off cyclically during said continuous operation.   
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said level sensor outputs a trigger signal which marks the pressure signal as invalid during the operation of the level sensor.   
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising the step of:
 detecting a temperature signal.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 31 , further comprising the step of:
 performing at least one of a pressure and a temperature compensation of the level signal.