KR20250047388A - Method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows and a sensor device and the sensor device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method (100) for acoustically monitoring a measuring point (6) in a fitting (2) through which a fluid flows, in particular a condensate drain (4).
According to the present invention, the method (100) comprises the following steps: detecting (102) ambient noise sound emissions (S _U ) in a surrounding area of a measuring point (6); detecting (104) structure-mediated sound emissions (S _K ) emitted by the measuring point (6); determining (106a) a first frequency spectrum (16a) of the ambient noise sound emissions (S _U ) for a first frequency range (26a); detecting (106a) ambient noise sound emissions (S _U ) of the measuring point (6); determining (106b) at least one additional frequency spectrum (16b) of the ambient noise sound emissions (S _U ) for at least one additional frequency range (26b); determining (108a) a first frequency spectrum (18a) of the structure-mediated sound emissions (S _K ) for the first frequency range (26a); A method for producing a sound emission system comprising: a step (108b) of determining at least one additional frequency spectrum (18b) of structure-mediated sound emission (S _K ) for at least one additional frequency range (26b); a step (114a) of determining a first characteristic number (K1) from the frequency spectrum (16a, 18a) of the first frequency range (26a); and a step (114b) of determining at least one additional frequency spectrum (18b) of structure-mediated sound emission (S _K ) of the first frequency range (26a); a step (114b) of determining a second characteristic number (K2) from second frequency spectra (16b, 18b) of the second frequency range (26b), wherein the characteristic numbers (K1, K2) form a characteristic pattern (20), and an operating state (B) of the condensate drain (4) is determined (116) based on the characteristic pattern (20).

Description

Method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows and a sensor device and the sensor device

The present invention relates to a method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows, particularly a condensate drain. The present invention also relates to a sensor device, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows.

Methods for acoustically monitoring measuring points in fluid-flowing fittings, in particular condensate drains, are known from the prior art. For this purpose, measuring devices are known which are placed directly in the condensate drain using a measuring tip. These measuring devices measure the intensity of the structure-borne sound occurring in the condensate drain, in particular in the ultrasonic frequency range, and thereby derive a set operating state of the analyzed condensate drain. In the case of condensate drains, it is very important to detect malfunctions at an early stage. For example, unwanted steam losses associated with specific acoustic characteristics, which are detected particularly on the basis of the sound occurring in the discharged structure, correspond to such malfunctions. Contact-based measuring devices known from the prior art have proven themselves, but nevertheless have room for improvement.

Condensate drains are often installed in complex steam transport plants, so that it is sometimes difficult to attach measuring devices known from the prior art to the condensate drain for indirect contact with it and for measuring purposes. In this case, there may be a risk to the user concerned, who has to approach the condensate drain very closely, which may be very hot.

As described above, the present invention aims to further develop a method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point of a fluid-flowing fitting and a sensor device corresponding thereto in order to eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art to the greatest extent possible. In particular, a method and a sensor device that can be used safely in difficult-to-access locations and very hot condensate drains and that enhance the user's reading convenience should be specified.

The present invention provides a method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows, particularly a condensate drain. The present invention also provides a sensor device, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows.

In the case of a method of the above type, the object according to the invention is solved by the following steps: detecting ambient noise sound emission in the area surrounding the measuring point, detecting structure-mediated sound emission emitted by the measuring point, determining a first frequency spectrum of the ambient noise sound emission for a first frequency range, determining at least one additional frequency spectrum of the ambient noise sound emission for at least one additional frequency range, determining the first frequency spectrum of the structure-mediated sound emission for the first frequency range, detecting ambient noise sound emission emitted by the measuring point, determining at least one additional frequency spectrum of the structure-mediated sound emission for at least one additional frequency range, determining a first characteristic number from the frequency spectrum of the first frequency range, determining a second characteristic number from the additional frequency spectrum of the additional frequency range, wherein the characteristic numbers form a characteristic pattern, determining the operating state of the condensate drain on the basis of the characteristic pattern.

The present invention uses the knowledge that the operational state of a fitting or a condensate drain can be determined independently of the need for contact-based structure-mediated sound measurements, respectively, by the method steps mentioned. This is possible in particular because the ambient noise of the generally relatively weak structure-mediated sound useful signal of the condensate drain is detected and taken into account during the evaluation. In this way, characteristic patterns can be determined which serve as indicators for the set operational state of the condensate drain.

In the present invention, the characteristic pattern is understood as a pattern formed from individual characteristic numbers derived from each frequency spectrum, and the characteristic pattern enables to draw conclusions about the operating state of the fitting. The frequency ranges preferably do not overlap with respect to the selected frequencies and are optionally arranged adjacent to each other. The frequency range preferably falls within a total frequency range of 0 kHz to 100 kHz. The frequency range preferably has a range width of 1 kHz to 30 kHz, in particular 10 kHz to 25 kHz.

According to a preferred embodiment, the detection of the ambient noise sound emission and the detection of the noise emission by the structure are carried out in a non-contact manner. A non-contact measurement is therefore to be understood as a measurement in which there is no or does not have to be direct contact between the measuring means, for example the measuring tip and the fitting or the condensate drain, respectively. By carrying out a non-contact measurement, on the one hand, the flexibility of the user in the acquisition of measurement data is increased, and on the other hand, the user is prevented from having to step directly into the vicinity of the condensate drain, which is advantageous not only in terms of health protection due to high temperatures but also in terms of accessibility.

According to a preferred embodiment, the ambient noise sound emission is detected at a first distance from the measuring point and the structure-mediated noise sound emission is detected at a second distance from the measuring point, wherein the second distance is smaller than the first distance. The first distance from the measuring point is preferably 10 cm to 30 cm, in particular 20 cm. The second distance from the measuring point is preferably 1 cm to 10 cm, in particular 5 cm. That is, the ambient noise sound emission measurement, also called profile measurement for detecting the ambient noise sound, is preferably performed at a distance of 20 cm from the fitting or the condensate drain, respectively. The measurement of a practically useful signal in the form of the noise sound emission by the structure is preferably performed in a second step at a distance of in particular 5 cm from the condensate drain. A frequency spectrum is then determined from the detected measuring signals and a characteristic pattern for the operating state of the fitting is determined.

According to a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of determining a first differential function from a first frequency spectrum of the ambient noise sound emission and a first frequency spectrum of the structure-mediated sound emission, determining at least one additional differential function from a further frequency spectrum of the ambient noise sound emission and a further frequency spectrum of the structure-mediated sound emission, determining a first characteristic number based on the first differential function, and determining an additional characteristic number based on the further differential function.

The present invention is further developed in that it comprises the steps of determining a first integer of a first differential function, determining at least one additional integer of the first differential function, determining a first characteristic number based on the first integer, and determining the additional characteristic number based on the additional integer. In particular, a region formed by the differential function of the frequency spectrum is used in this way for a frequency range. This has been found to be particularly suitable for determining a characteristic pattern for identifying an operating state of a fitting or a condensate drain, respectively.

Determining the operational status of a condensate drain based on the characteristic pattern preferably includes at least one of the following operational statuses: normal operation of the condensate drain, defective condensate drain.

The method is further developed by a step of quantitatively determining the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount based on the characteristic pattern. The operating state of the condensate drain is determined in this way based on the characteristic pattern and/or the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount is estimated based on the characteristic pattern. The determination of the condensate amount is preferably carried out in a frequency range of 0 kHz to 20 kHz. The determination of the steam loss is preferably carried out in a frequency range of 40 kHz to 70 kHz.

The method is further developed by a step of providing or sensing the temperature of the condensate drain at the measuring point, wherein the determination of the operating state and/or the derived steam loss and/or the condensate quantity is made on the basis of the characteristic pattern and the temperature. Taking the temperature into additional account when determining the operating state or the steam loss and/or the condensate quantity respectively has proven to be suitable for improving the accuracy when determining the operating state or the derived steam loss and/or the condensate quantity respectively.

This method is further developed in that it determines the steam loss and/or condensate amount derived from the operating status and characteristic pattern based on machine learning, particularly by using pattern recognition. The neural network is preferably trained with training data associating the operating status or the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount with the characteristic pattern of a particular type of condensate drain. After training the neural network, the latter can be used to determine the respective operating status or the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount for the corresponding condensate drain type or group of condensate drains from the characteristic pattern, respectively.

The invention has been described above with respect to the method. In another aspect, the invention relates to a sensor device for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows, in particular in a condensate drain. With respect to the sensor device, the invention solves the above-identified problem in that the sensor device comprises a sound sensor configured to detect ambient noise sound emissions emitted at the measuring point and sound emissions by a structure in a non-contact manner, and a control device connected to the sound sensor and configured to transmit data, wherein the control device is configured to perform a method according to one of the above exemplary embodiments. The sensor device utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the method according to the invention. In this regard, reference is made to the above-mentioned specification, the content of which is incorporated herein.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sound sensor is formed as a wideband microphone, in particular as an ultrasonic microphone. Due to the fact that characteristic acoustic frequencies, which make it possible to draw conclusions about the operational state of the condensate drain, are in particular in the ultrasonic range, it is preferred that the sound sensor be formed as an ultrasonic microphone. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device is formed as a mobile device. In this way, the device can be carried by the user and used even in confined spaces.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device is provided with display means, in particular a display configured to display the operating state of the fitting and/or the steam loss and/or the amount of condensate. In this way, the operator obtains desired information about the state of the fitting or the condensate drain, respectively, directly on site.

The invention is further developed in that the sensor device has a light source which illuminates the measuring point or the condensate drain respectively. The possibility of detection or the exact positioning of the sensor device at the measuring point of the condensate drain in inaccessible and dark locations is simplified in this way. According to a preferred embodiment, the sensor device has a range finder, in particular a laser range finder. In this way, the exact distance of the sensor device to the measuring point for performing the ambient noise sound emission or the structure-borne noise sound emission respectively can be simplified and monitored.

According to a preferred embodiment, the condensate drains or measuring points each have a marking, which simplifies the correct performance of the measurement. The marking is preferably formed as a QR code or a barcode, whereby the sensor device has a corresponding scanner, respectively. For example, the type of the condensate drain can be directly linked to the measured values collected in this way. The determination of the characteristic pattern or the operating state, respectively, can also be directly applied to the detected type of condensate drain. According to another embodiment, near field communication (NFC) is used to identify the condensate drain.

The sensor device comprises a temperature sensor, in particular an infrared thermometer, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to detect the temperature of the condensate drain, in particular configured to detect it in a non-contact manner, and is further developed in that the temperature sensor is connected to a control device for transmitting the data. As stated, the use of a temperature sensor providing a non-contact measurement likewise has been found to be preferable for increasing the operating state of the fitting and the accuracy of measuring or determining the amount of steam loss and/or condensate, respectively.

The control device is preferably connected to a communication interface for transmitting data. The communication interface is configured to communicate wirelessly, in particular via a wireless network, with a cloud, a mobile device or an external network or computer, respectively. In this way, the measurement data can be transmitted in real time or with a time delay to the corresponding system and can be used and viewed in this way, for example, in a central plant control and monitoring system.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions having the effect of causing a sensor device formed according to one of the above exemplary embodiments to perform a method according to one of the above exemplary embodiments. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable medium storing the computer program according to the above exemplary embodiments. The computer program and the computer-readable medium utilize the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the method according to the present invention and the sensor device according to the present invention, and vice versa. In this regard, reference is made to the above description, the contents of which are incorporated herein.

The present invention provides a method for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows, particularly a condensate drain. The present invention also provides a sensor device, a computer program and a computer-readable medium for acoustically monitoring a measuring point in a fitting through which a fluid flows.

The present invention will be described in more detail below based on preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, which are hereby described with reference thereto:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a method according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a sensor device according to the present invention;
Figure 3a shows an exemplary frequency spectrum of ambient noise sound emissions and acoustic emissions from the structure;
Figure 3b shows the differential function formed in the frequency spectrum of Figure 3a and the characteristic pattern of the differential function;
FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a computer program according to the present invention; and
FIG. 5 is a drawing schematically illustrating a computer-readable medium according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a method (100) for acoustically monitoring a measuring point (6) in a fitting (2) through which a fluid flows, in particular a condensate drain (4) as shown in Figure 2. The method (100) comprises the steps of detecting (102) an ambient noise sound emission S _U in a surrounding area of the measuring point (6) as shown in Figure 2, detecting (104) a structure-borne sound emission S _K emitted by the measuring point (6), and determining a first frequency spectrum of the ambient noise sound emission S _U for a first frequency range (26a) as exemplarily shown in Figure 3a. The method (100) further comprises the steps of determining (106b) at least one additional frequency spectrum (16b) of the ambient noise sound emission S _U for at least one additional frequency range (26b), the step of determining (108a) a first frequency spectrum (18a) of the structure-mediated sound emission S _K for the first frequency range (26a), and the step of determining (108b) at least one additional frequency spectrum (18b) of the structure-mediated sound emission S _K for the at least one additional frequency range (26b).

In method step (110a), a step is performed of determining a first differential function (22a) from _a first frequency spectrum (16a) of the ambient noise sound emission S _U and a first frequency spectrum (18a) of the structure-mediated sound emission S K . A step (110b) is further performed of determining at least one additional differential function (22b) from a second frequency spectrum (16b) of the ambient noise sound emission S _U and a second frequency spectrum (18b) of the structure-mediated sound emission _{S K} . In method step (112a), a first integer I1 is determined from the first differential function (22a), and in method step (112b), at least one additional integer I2 of the first differential function (22b) is determined.

In method steps (114a and 114b), the determination of the first characteristic number K1 is made on the basis of the first integer I1, and the determination of the second characteristic number K2 is made on the basis of the second integer I2. In method step (116), the determination of the operating state (B) of the condensate drain (4) is performed on the basis of a characteristic pattern (20) formed by the characteristic numbers (K1 and K2). In method step (118), a quantitative determination of the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount is finally made on the basis of the characteristic pattern (20).

Determining the operating state (B) and the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount is preferably performed on the basis of the characteristic pattern (20) and the temperature (T) of the condensate drain. Determining the operating state (116, 118) and the derived steam loss and/or condensate amount from the characteristic pattern (20) is performed in particular on the basis of machine learning.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of a sensor device (1) for acoustically monitoring a measuring point (6) in a fitting (2), in particular a condensate drain (4), through which a fluid flows. The sensor device (1) has a sound sensor (8). The sound sensor (8) is configured to detect an ambient noise emission S _U without contact. The sensor device (1) is additionally configured to detect a structure-borne acoustic emission S _K emitted from the point (6) without contact. Furthermore, the sensor device (1) has a control device (12) connected to the sound sensor (8) for transmitting data, the control device (12) being configured to perform a method (100) according to Fig. 1.

The sound sensor (8) consists of a wideband microphone (10), in particular an ultrasonic microphone (10). The sensor device (1) consists of a mobile device. The sensor device (1) is additionally equipped with a display means (14), which consists of a display (14). The display means (14) is configured to display the operating state B of the fitting (2) and/or the steam loss and/or the amount of condensate. The sensor device (1) additionally has a temperature sensor (28). The temperature sensor (28) consists of an infrared thermometer (30). The temperature sensor (28) is configured to detect a temperature T of the condensate drain (4), in particular in a contactless manner. The temperature sensor (28) is connected to the control device (12) for data transmission. The measurement of the ambient noise sound emission S _U is carried out at a first distance d _U from the measuring point (6). The measurement of the structure noise sound emission S _K is carried out at a second distance d _K from the measuring point (6). The second distance d _K is smaller than the first distance d _U. The first distance d _U from the measuring point is preferably 20 cm. The second measurement is made at the second distance d _K which is 5 cm away from the measuring point (6).

As can be seen in Fig. 2, each sound sensor (8) or ultrasonic microphone (10) is connected to a filter and an amplifier (32) to transmit data. Amplification and filtering of a sound signal determined by the sound sensor are performed through the filter and the amplifier (32). The filter and the amplifier (32) are, in turn, connected to an analog-to-digital converter (34). The process of converting an analog signal into a digital signal and then supplying it to the control device (12) is performed through the analog-to-digital converter (34). The control device (12) is connected to a communication interface (36) to transmit data. The communication interface (36) is configured to communicate with a cloud (38), a mobile device (40), and/or a computer (42) through a data network (44).

Fig. 3a shows the frequency spectrum (16) of the ambient noise sound emission S _U and the frequency spectrum (18) of the structure-mediated sound emission S _K . Here, for the spectra (16, 18), the frequencies are applied via sound pressure in a frequency range of 0 to 50 kHz. The first frequency spectrum (16a) of the ambient noise sound emission S _U and the first frequency spectrum (18a) of the structure-mediated sound emission S _K can be determined in the first frequency range (26a). The same can be done for the additional frequency range (26b) with the frequency spectra (16b and 18b). As shown in Fig. 3b, a differential function (22a) is formed continuously for the frequency spectra (16a and 18a), the integers I1 of which in turn form the first characteristic number K1 . The differential function (22b) is formed similarly for the additional frequency range (26b), which is illustrated in an exemplary manner, wherein the integer I2 forms an additional characteristic number K2. The characteristic numbers K1 and K2 form the characteristic pattern (20). The additional characteristic number Kn is additionally illustrated in Fig. 3b, is formed by the integer In and can contribute to the characteristic pattern (20).

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating a computer program (200). The computer program (200) includes commands having the effect of causing a sensor device (1) formed according to Fig. 2 to perform the method (100) according to Fig. 1. Fig. 5 illustrates a computer-readable medium (300). The computer program (200) according to Fig. 4 is stored in a computer-readable medium (300).

1 Sensor device
2 fitting
4 Condensate drain
6 Measuring points
8 sound sensors
10 Ultrasonic Microphones
12 Control Unit
14 Display Means / Display
16a First frequency spectrum of ambient noise sound emission
16b Additional frequency spectrum of ambient noise emissions
18a First frequency spectrum of structure-borne noise sound emission
18b Additional frequency spectrum of structure-borne noise sound emissions
20 Feature Patterns
22a First Differential Function
22b Additional differential function
26a 1st frequency range
26b Additional frequency range
28 Temperature Sensor
30 Infrared Thermometer
32 Filters and Amplifiers
34 Analog-to-digital converter
36 Communication Interface
38 Cloud
40 Mobile
42 Computer
44 Data Network
100 ways
102 Ambient noise sound emission detection
104 Structure-mediated noise sound emission detection
106a Determine the first frequency spectrum of ambient noise sound emission
106b Determine the additional frequency spectrum of ambient noise emissions
108a Determine the first frequency spectrum of the structure-mediated sound emission
108b Determining the additional frequency spectrum of structure-mediated sound emissions
110a 1st differential function determination
110b Additional differential function determination
112a First Integer Determination
112a Additional integer determination
114a Determine the first characteristic number
114b Additional characteristic number determination
116 Determining the operating status
118 Determination of derived steam loss and/or condensate volume
200 computer programs
300 computer readable parameters
B Fitting Operation Status
dU Distance from the measurement point for measuring ambient noise sound emission
dK Distance from the measuring point for measuring the noise emission of the structure
K1 1st characteristic number
K2 Additional Attributes
Kn characteristic number
I1 1st integer
I2 additional integer
In characteristic integer
SU Ambient Noise Sound Emission
SK Structure Parameter Sound Emission
T Condensate drain temperature

Claims (18)

A method (100) for acoustically monitoring a measuring point (6) of a fitting (2) through which a fluid flows, in particular at a condensate discharge outlet (4):
- Step (102) of detecting ambient noise sound emission (S _U ) around the measuring point (6);
- A step of detecting (104) structure-mediated sound emission (S _K ) occurring at a measuring point (6);
- a step (106a) of determining a first frequency spectrum (16a) of ambient noise sound emission (S _U ) for a first frequency range (26a);
- a step (106b) of determining at least one additional frequency spectrum (16b) of the ambient noise sound emission (S _U ) for at least one additional frequency range (26b);
- a step (108a) of determining a first frequency spectrum (18a) of structure-borne noise emission (S _K ) for a first frequency range (26a);
- a step (108b) of determining at least one additional frequency spectrum (18b) of structure-mediated noise emissions (S _K ) for at least one additional frequency range (26b);
- A step (114a) of determining a first characteristic number (K1) from a frequency spectrum (16a, 18a) of a first frequency range (26a);
- A step (114b) of determining an additional characteristic number (K2) from an additional frequency spectrum (16b, 18b) in an additional frequency range (26b) - the characteristic numbers (K1, K2) form a characteristic pattern (20);
- A method (100) comprising a step (116) of determining an operating state (B) of a condensate discharge outlet (4) based on a characteristic pattern (20). In paragraph 1,
A method (100) wherein the ambient noise sound emission (S _U ) detection step (102) and the structure-mediated sound emission (S _K ) detection step (104) are performed in a non-contact manner. In the second paragraph,
A method (100) wherein ambient noise sound emissions (S _U ) are detected at a first distance (d _U ) from a measuring point (6), and structure-borne noise sound emissions (S _K ) are detected at a second distance (d _K ) from the measuring point (6), wherein the second distance (d _K ) is smaller than the first distance (d _U ). In the third paragraph,
Method (100) wherein the first distance (d _U ) from the measuring point (6) is between 10 cm and 30 cm, in particular 20 cm. In clause 3 or 4,
Method (100) wherein the second distance (d _K ) from the measuring point (6) is from 1 cm to 10 cm, in particular 5 cm. In any one of the preceding claims:
- A step (110a) of determining a first differential function (22a) from a first frequency spectrum (16a) of ambient noise sound emission (S _U ) and a first frequency spectrum (18a) of structure-borne noise sound (S _K );
- a step (110b) of determining at least one additional differential function (22b) from the additional frequency spectrum (16b) of the ambient noise sound emission (S _U ) and the additional frequency spectrum (18b) of the structure-borne noise sound emission (S _K );
- A method (100) further comprising the steps of determining a first characteristic number (K1) based on a first differential function (22a) and determining an additional characteristic number (K2) based on a second differential function (22b). In paragraph 6:
- Step (112a) of determining the first integer (I1) of the first differential function (22A),
- a step (112b) of determining at least one additional integer (I2) of the additional differential function (22b);
- A method (100) further comprising the steps of determining a first characteristic number (K1) based on a first integer (I1) and determining a second characteristic number (K2) based on a second integer (I2). In any of the claims set forth above,
The step (116) of determining the operating state (B) of the condensate drain (4) based on the characteristic pattern (20) is: a method (100) including at least one operating state (B) of normal operation of the condensate drain, a defect of the condensate drain. In any of the claims set forth above,
- A method (100) further comprising a step (118) of quantitatively determining the amount of steam loss and/or condensate derived based on the characteristic pattern (20). In Article 9,
- a step of providing or detecting a temperature (T) of a condensate drain (4), in particular of a measuring point (6); - a step of determining an operating state (B) and/or a resulting steam loss and/or condensate amount, which is carried out on the basis of the characteristic pattern (20) and the temperature (T); a method further comprising; In clause 9 or 10,
A method (100) wherein the step (116, 118) of determining the amount of steam loss and/or condensate derived from the operating state (B) and the characteristic pattern (20) is performed based on machine learning. As a sensor device (1) for acoustically monitoring a measuring point (6) in a fitting (2) through which a fluid flows, in particular a condensate drain (4).
A sound sensor (8) configured to detect ambient noise sound emissions (S _U ) and structure-borne noise emissions (S _K ) emitted by the measuring point (6) in a non-contact manner;
A sensor device (1), comprising a control device (12) connected to a sound sensor (8) for transmitting data, the control device (12) being configured to perform a method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10. In Article 12,
A sound sensor (8) is a sensor device (1) formed by a wideband microphone, in particular an ultrasonic microphone (10). In clause 12 or 13,
A sensor device (1) is formed as a mobile device (28). In any one of Articles 12 to 14,
A sensor device (1) comprising a display means (14), in particular a display (14) configured to display the operating status (B) of the fitting (2) and/or the steam loss and/or the condensate quantity. In any one of Articles 12 to 15,
A sensor device (1) further comprising a temperature sensor (28), in particular an infrared temperature sensor (30), wherein the temperature sensor (28) detects the temperature (T) of the condensate drain (4), in particular configured to detect it in a non-contact manner, and wherein the temperature sensor (28) is connected to a control device (12) for transmitting data. A computer program (200) comprising commands having the effect of causing a sensor device (1) formed according to one of claims 12 to 16 to perform a method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11. A computer-readable medium (300) storing a computer program (200) according to Article 17.