What is the purpose of this article?
To provide information about Rheonics APC, adjustable process connector accessory, what it is, when and why to use it with examples.
What products are involved?
The APC is compatible with Rheonics SRV viscometer, and SRD density and viscosity meter in long insertion variants -X5 and -X8.
Introduction
The Rheonics APC is an adjustable process connection accessory that can be used to clamp an industrial flange, connector, or adapter to the Rheonics SRV and SRD sensor probe’s body without welding.
The accessory is attached to the sensor probe with a compression fitting at the back. When threaded, the compression nut (CN-APC) deforms the back ferrule (BF-APC), fixing the accessory to the sensor’s probe. Depending on the material of the back ferrule, the user may be able to continously change the position of the APC (PEEK) or have it always fixed at the same point (stainless steel). The point at which the APC is placed on the probe, defines the insertion length, which is the distance from the probe tip to the flange or adapter. The minimum insertion length with the APC is 80 mm and the maximum insertion length will be determined by the total length of the probe.
Review more information on the APC accessory web page.
Next figure shows the APC and all parts required for the assembly.
Figure 1: APC components
Table 1: APC Specifications
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Connection to probe | By compression fitting |
Connection to process | By compression lock nut |
| Process connection | Any with OD bigger than 3” (DN75) Max. thickness of 1” (25 mm) |
| Insertion length | Any |
| Material | Stainless Steel (SS) 316L Back Ferrule - SS 316L or PTFE. O-Rings - FKM |
| Pressure rating | Ambient pressure |
| Drawing | Rheonics APC PDF drawing |
The APC accessory should NOT be used as sealing and/or connection of probe inline for pressurized applications |
APC use cases
The APC can be considered an accessory attached to the sensor probe (not welded) that can be used to clamp the probe to flanges or any external piece that may be used to install the probe to external structures.
Figure 2: APC Use examples
APC used with flanges
The process connector can be threaded, Tri-Clamp, Flange (ANSI, DIN, etc.), Varinline, etc. Any connector is compatible if it has a diameter bigger than 43 mm, a thickness no bigger than 25 mm (1”), and a bore-through hole of ∅42.2mm. Examples are shown in first and second images of Figure 2.
Flanges need the bore-through hole of approximately 42.2 mm so the APC mandrel can go through the flange. This machined flange may be delivered by Rheonics or supplied directly by end-user. Find the interface drawing here.
Only use use the APC with flanges to seal and install the probe in the process line or tank, when the application has ambient pressure.
APC used to fix the probe to external structure
For some applications, the Rheonics Viscosity and/or Density Sensors need to be attached or installed in custom structures without a flange or process connections. In these cases, probes are usually clamped or fixed to external structures like robot arms, static or movable beams or shafts, etc. An example is shown in third picture of Figure 2.
Figure 3: Rheonics viscometer using APC accessory for mounting in external structure e.g. mobile arm.
For example, for paint’s viscosity measurement, often times the SRV needs to measure the fluid in multiple mixing or storage tanks or buckets that are exchanged. The sensor works here as a drop-in viscosity measurement, with enough time for readings to stabilize and correct cleaning between different paints to avoid solidification. Find an example drawing here.
For open tanks like slurry drums, the SRV or SRD sensor can use the APC as a quick-release mounting system at the tank’s wall.
APC Compatibility
The Rheonics APC is useful for long insertion probes like the following:
How to assemble the APC?
Refer to the Rheonics APC assembly guideline article for instructions on assembly.