US 12,259,316 B2
Cleaning device for cleaning an outer portion of a sensor
Hans Meyer, Eschach (DE); Alejandro Vaca Torres, Steinheim (DE); and Marvin Buchfink, Leonberg (DE)
Assigned to Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG, Gerlingen (DE)
Filed by Endress+Hauser Conducta GmbH+Co. KG, Gerlingen (DE)
Filed on Dec. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/064,996.
Claims priority of application No. 10 2021 133 192.7 (DE), filed on Dec. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0184670 A1, Jun. 15, 2023
Int. Cl. G01N 21/15 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 21/15 (2013.01) [G01N 2021/151 (2013.01); G01N 2021/152 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cleaning device for cleaning an outer portion of a sensor, which is in contact with a medium during a measuring mode, for measuring a measured variable of the medium, the cleaning device comprising:
a housing defining a volume therein;
a pump connected on an input side to a supply line adapted as an air supply line;
a pressure accumulator connected on an output side to the pump and disposed in the housing, which housing is mounted or is configured to be mounted on the sensor; and
an exhaust air duct including a pressure-controlled valve, the exhaust air duct connected to the pressure accumulator and connected to or configured to be connected to at least one nozzle, which is aligned or configured to be aligned with the outer portion to be cleaned,
wherein the cleaning device is configured to perform cleaning processes, which each include at least one pressure-surge cleaning in which:
air drawn in by the pump via the supply line is compressed in the pressure accumulator; and
at least a portion of the compressed air in the pressure accumulator is expelled as a pressure surge output via the least one nozzle connected to the exhaust air duct when a pressure of the compressed air in the pressure accumulator exceeds a pressure value required to open the pressure-controlled valve, wherein the pressure-controlled valve is configured such that, as the pressure surge output decreases the pressure in the pressure accumulator abruptly, the pressure-controlled valve automatically closes again.