HUT54227A - Apparatus for controlling gas utilization - Google Patents

Abstract

A controller and regulator of gas flow consists of a chamber containing nozzles (16, 17), piston operated stop valves (20, 21) and a reservoir. The chamber has a high pressure entry space (1) within which an internal wall (22) supports two stop valve pistons (20, 21). The pistons are actuated by conduits (23, 24) and are fitted with return springs (18) (19). Nozzles of varying capacities (16, 17) are screwed into an internal wall (15) and these feed a reservoir (10) and outlet pipe (11). Total flow is regulated by microprocessor selection of combinations of nozzles opened or shut.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for performing all control / metering, remote signaling, control, regulation / control tasks related to gas utilization, either from a utility line or from a tank (s).

Supplying Gas Consumers - Regardless of the source of the gas, it always puts control technology tasks in place. In the simplest case (supplying small consumers from a grid with consumption pressure) the task is to measure the amount of gas consumed. At higher consumption, eg. already in a family house fully equipped for gas energy, there is an increasing need for protection against service failures / gas shortage, overpressure protection / and sudden major failures / eg. to provide protection against gas leakage / pipe breakage.

Gas pipelines with a pressure higher than the consumption pressure are being installed in more and more places, mainly in the countryside; in this case each consumer is connected to the grid with a separate pressure regulator / building pressure regulator.

For industrial consumers, energy management aspects further increase control technology tasks. Peak restrictions, changing tariffs to apply different / discounted or punitive / tariffs at different times, limiting consumption, tackling tube faults, and increasing demand for telemetry and telemetry.

Devices based on different principles are known for performing certain tasks, but their application is the connection points of gas consumers. socalled makes gas receiving stations / increasingly complex, costly, constantly having more and more different equipment.

Attempts have been made to combine certain tasks so that each component can perform more than one of the tasks listed. A pressure regulator and a device capable of performing a quick-lock function are described, e.g. DE-PS 20 15 555; Temperature and Pressure Regulator «· · · · Describes DE-PS

44799, while pressure regulators which can be used as a shut-off valve are also known from certain patents, e.g. DE-PS 29 37 978; further multipurpose structural elements are described in DE-PS 27 59 091 and DE-PS 33 26 523.

DE-PS 29 37 978 discloses an apparatus in which the high-pressure space is connected to the low-pressure space by two different branches with pipe closures, the characteristic of which is that the two branches do not have the same gas permeability.

A pressure regulator with a blocked closure and multiple but optionally identical throughput branches is disclosed, with microprocessor control, in UK-PA 2 129 170. documents. However, the description of the control of this apparatus does not imply that microprocessor control can be accomplished by any program other than smooth stepping.

It provides guidance for controlling the amounts of various gases, particularly by providing injector solutions for the preparation of gas mixtures of a particular composition, in UK-PA 2 108 285. documents.

A device for determining the amount of gas flowing is known from DE-OS 27 25 410. discloses.

This unit places a single / analogue pressure reducer or flow rate limiter in the path of the incoming medium, then directs the flow through this to different branches with different flow resistances by means of shift valves and controls the flow through the variable flow resistors. It determines the media throughput of each branch twice that of the previous branch, but does not include a guide that controls the operation of each branch according to a predetermined function. Neither solution allows you to perform measurement and telemetry tasks,

Appliances suitable for solving almost all essential control engineering tasks related to gas consumption are described in Hungarian Patent No. 195,346. For this apparatus, the arrangement of which is shown in figure 1, .....

the pipe 1 connected to the high pressure gas network is connected to the tank 10 connected to the supply pressure network by a plurality of branches connected in parallel so that each branch has a controlled pipe closing fitting / 2,3,4 and 5 / and a throttle / 6, 7,8 and 9 /, controls the valve fittings 2-5 through the guide lines 12 as a function of the outlet pressure (the pressure sensor and associated line are not shown in Figure 1), with , Between 7.8 and 9 throttle throughput, there is a defined function relationship (in the simplest case each can deliver twice as much as the previous one), and the position of the 2,3,4 and 5 pipe shut-off fittings is a suitable program 12 in the simplest case binary number sequence /. Since the instantaneous position of the 12 controller is in a clear function relationship with the amount of gas delivered, the apparatus is capable of controlling pressure, displaying, measuring, remote signaling the instantaneous volume of gas, integrating the signal over time, by connecting the opening of fittings to further conditions, to limit switching, in case of remote control of the 12 gears, to switch tariffs, the consumption limit also works as a shut-off fitting after switching off the shut-off valves, the signal proportional to the actual gas flow can be filled.

According to the description of the invention, the number of control steps can be adjusted by the number of branches: With n = 8 branches, p = 256 different positions of the pipe closure fittings can be achieved so that, taking into account the closed position, control is 1/255 ^ 0.4%.

However, the practical application of the described device raises two problems:

2-5 Pipe Fittings Under Dynamically Variable Load Must Execute Extreme Number of Shut-Off Functions · This is especially true for pipe fittings that have 0 1 2/2, 2, and 2 values in lower throughput branches are placed in appropriate branches. This is conventional / known / pipe closure fittings / e.g. when used with solenoid valves, results in an unreasonably short life,

Another problem is caused by the extremely low levels of consumption that occur occasionally, especially on public holidays, for large industrial consumers.

In the exemplary embodiment of U.S. Patent No. 195,346, using n = 8 branches, the total consumption / peak consumption (^ - ^ r ^ y ---) times 1 / 255th of the drunk

0.4% / can still be a significant quantity for which pressure control and accurate metering cannot be ignored. In this case, the number of branches used for accurate control and measurement must be increased, which makes the equipment very expensive.

The present invention essentially describes an apparatus which is an improved, improved embodiment of the apparatus of Hungarian Patent No. 195,346 and which, on the one hand, solves the problem of pipe closures operating reliably at extremely high switching numbers, as well as accurate gas quantities in the 2θ range. pressure control and accurate measuring, in the latter case without unnecessarily increasing the number of passages.

The present invention is based on the discovery that the operating accuracy of pressure regulators and measuring devices, which are known and widely used, are slowly changing and small *.

Generally satisfactory for gas consumption, and other consumption-related control tasks / consumption restraint, tariff switching, / usually in the range of 0.0 - 3.0% of the peak consumption of the large consumer, / generally do not arise. In the case of remote signaling for energy management purposes, it is sufficient to indicate / register the fact that the consumption has not reached this lower threshold.

However, a simple summation of the data shown by a known / analogue / gas meter and a measuring device of the 195146 patent is also suitable for measuring the amount of gas consumed.

Associated with this is the realization that the functions of the throttles and pipe closures used in the various branches can be combined with a nozzle (preferably removably located in the apparatus / sized for proper flow) which is securely closed by a locking element mounted on a piston rod of a cylinder 2-3 mm displacement / can be opened.

The simplest embodiment of the invention is thus to provide a device according to Hungarian Patent Application No. 195,346 by inserting nozzles having a permeability to each other in a partition enclosed in a housing divided into at least two chambers, and one nozzle per workpiece opposite the opening of the nozzles. a reinforced latch assembly is used such that it closes the nozzle when the cylinder is at rest.

At the same time, a gas pressure regulator known in the art is connected in series with the lowest throughput branch of the apparatus, or connected in parallel with the nozzle, and integrating the flow rate with a known gas meter.

Some embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are illustrated in the figures, where

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the most representative apparatus of the Hungarian Patent No. 195,346;

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the apparatus according to patent number 195.346 with an analog pressure regulator connected in parallel with its first branch,

Figure 3 schematically depicts the same equipment with analog pressure regulator and gauge connected to its first branch,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the nozzle-cylinder embodiment of the present invention using a single-acting spring return cylinder;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the solution shown in the previous figure, using a double-acting cylinder

Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a variant of the embodiment of Fig. 4, in which compressed air is used to actuate the cylinder and the energy of the secondary pressure gas is used for closure.

The l.ábra - apart from the reference signals - the 195,346 Hungarian patent No. 1.ábrájával same way depicts the apparatus in which the supply / core connected _{to the} higher / pressure supply tube 1, and the consumption / lower / pressure vessel 10 / and this through the pipe 11, four connecting branches are exemplified, of which, from the left in the figure, the first pipe 2 and the throttle 6, the second the pipe 3 and the throttle 3, the third the pipe 4 and the throttle 8, the fourth the pipe end fitting 5 and the throttle 9 are located. In this embodiment, 2 ⁴ = 16 different positions of the 2-5 pipe shut-off valves are imaginable, and since one of these positions corresponds to the closed sheet, the zero position, the pressure and volume of the gas flowing through —— i = 1 / It can be controlled in steps of 15 to 6.7% and measured in terms of the time integral of the position of the 2-5 pipe closures.

In the apparatus of Fig. 2, a connection pipe between the pipe 1 and the tank 13 (quasi-zero branch)

a pressure regulator 13 and a flow meter 14 are provided. It is connected to the quantity meter / millimeter 14.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the pressure reducer 13 and the flow meter 14 are located in the first branch, connected in series with the pipe closure fixture 2 and the throttle 6.

4, the tube 1 and the container 10 form a housing with the same external geometric dimensions, which is separated by the partition 15. The nozzles 16 and 17 are disposed in the partition 15, which are exemplarily screwed in the partition 15. In the high-pressure space of the tube 1, mounted on the support wall 22 with the nozzles 16 and 17, the cylinders 18 and 19 are centered axially and are provided with a locking assembly 21 on the piston rod 20. The cylinders 18 and 19 in the figure are exemplary of single-acting spring return. The cylinders 18 and 19 close the nozzles 16 and 17 at rest and are actuated by the lines 23 and 24.

• · • · ·

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the cylinder 19 is dual-acting, the closure being controlled by the wire 25.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the formed housing is divided into three spaces by the partitions 15 and 26.

The pipe 27 connected to the high-pressure network crosses the bulkhead 26 in a gas-tight manner, so that the high-pressure space fulfilling the function of the pipe 1 is central. In the figure, the first space 28, calculated from the left side, is connected by the conduit 29 to the secondary pressure vessel 10, so that this space 28 is subjected to lower secondary pressure. The rear wall of the cylinder 19, which is gas-tightly integrated in the bulkhead 26, has an opening so that the space behind the piston is also under secondary pressure. As a result of the pulse impinging on the conduit 24, the cylinder 19 opens the nozzle, and when the conduit 24 is pressurized to atmospheric pressure, the secondary pressure ensures that the cylinder 19 is closed and locked.

Hungarian Patent No. 195,346, and

1, when operating the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a pressure sensor (not shown) measures the pressure in the tank 10 / secondary. In the event of a decrease, the conductor (here, obviously with an electrical signal) will open and close the pipe closures 2-5 in the order in which it is programmed, so that at all times the flow cross-section is open sufficient The pressure will be equal to the set - prescribed - consumption pressure. In the event of a loss of power, an error signal, a control signal of this kind, the actuator 12 will close all 2-5 pipe shut-off valves. is in a known function relation to the amount of gas flowing into the food · · ·

-11-.

therefore, by displaying the number " ¹ " corresponding to their position, the actuator 12 can display the instantaneous consumption / transmit it by transmitting a signal representing this number, while summing and displaying the time integral of this value, it is capable of indicating the total amount of gas consumed to fulfill the function of the meter. It can inhibit the operation of some / highest throughput / pipe stop fittings / peak limiter / multi-meter and remotely operated multi-tariff meter due to external control signal. A sudden change in the differential of the signal proportional to the instantaneous gas flow can cause the device to close by means of appropriate structural elements known per se, in which case the device acts as a quick release. However, if the consumption reaches an extremely low value that is lower than --— i— -j times the peak consumption, the operation of the apparatus becomes uncertain> 2 ⁿ -l / l, open the shut-off valve 2 for the lowest throughput 6, it will close over time, while the secondary pressure in the container 10 will undesirably fluctuate.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, at such low power consumption, the gas shut-off valve closes and gas flows through the / low power / pressure reducer 13. The amount of gas flowing is measured by a known flow meter 14, from which counter a digital electrical signal 14 * wired to control 12 - where the measured value is added to the digital after-consumption.

In this embodiment, the unit can only perform the zero function if a separate control pipe closure is also provided in this branch, as shown in the figure: · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ···· * ·· · · not shown.

The closing function of the device in the embodiment of Figure 3 remains intact. Here, the analogue low-power pressure reducer 13 and the flow meter 14, known per se, are placed in series with the elements 2 of the pipe closure 2 and the throttle 6. The operation of the embodiment in all cases where the consumption exceeds the peak value is in all respects the same as that of the apparatus described in Patent No. 195,346, as described in Figure 1. However, if the consumption drops below this limit, the secondary pressure in the container 10 cannot rise because the pressure reducer 13 is actuated, thereby providing the desired value for the secondary pressure. The first branch of the consumption measurement should then be eliminated, because the flowmeter 14 accurately measures the amount of gauze flowing through this branch, and the two measurements (analogue measurement of the flowmeter 14 and the digital measurement from the second branch upwards) measurement result.

The solution for combining the pipe closures 2-5 with the throttles 6-9 is formed in Fig. 4 in a housing of any number of known nozzles (nozzles 16 and 17), preferably fixed in the partition 15 by screw thread, before which on the high pressure side, one of the cylinders (the cylinders 18 and 19 in the figure) is arranged axially symmetrically. If they are as in Figure 4. According ticket single-acting, spring-return hydraulic cylinders, the spring ensures that the cylinder piston 20 rod: reinforced 21 szárószerelvény seals the nozzles 16 and 17 and _the autoclave until a 23 or 24 lines signal received. The signal in this case is a unit pressure spike which moves the cylinder piston against the spring to the left in the figure and opens the cross-section of the corresponding nozzle. When the signal disappears, the spring closes and maintains the closed state.

The configuration of the guide 12 may justify the arrangement according to Fig. 5, here the opening is performed by the signal arriving on the line 24 and the closing by the line 25. The closed pressure level in the line 25 must be maintained during operation.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the conduit 29 ensures that the secondary pressure / e.g. 0.03 bar / reign. This pressure is sufficient to maintain the cylinder 19 closed. The opening signal is received on the conduit 24. After this signal has ceased, the pressure in the conduit 24 must be blown down to a value lower than the secondary pressure, preferably atmospheric, whereby the secondary pressure from the space 28 closes the cylinder 19 and maintains the closed state.

2 and 3, as stated above, in the manufacture of high throughput devices. The dimensions of the apparatus then allow the apparatus of FIG. 2 to be arranged such that the pressure relief device 13 and the volume meter 14 are connected to a hole not provided in the nozzle in the bulkhead 15, but using a pipeline. can be placed outside, connected to, attached to the housing shown in Figure 4, etc.

• ♦ · «· · *« «« «* * * * * * * *.

The apparatus of Fig. 3 may be similarly constructed except that the pressure-relief valve 13 and the flowmeter 14 must be connected to the nozzle of the device with the lowest throughput.

According to U.S. Patent No. 195,346, the actuator may be any known actuator for performing the outline function, and if the actuators 2-5 are valve solenoids or other electrically operated devices, the actuator may be a purely electrical actuator. Of course, an electropneumatic or pneumatic actuator could also be used with the apparatus of this patent, in which case the pipe closures 2-5, e.g. membrane pneumatic amplifiers.

In the present case, the vascular unit must be pneumatic or electro-pneumatic, since in all cases a pneumatic signal is required to operate the cylinders 18 and 19. In the case of an electropneumatic actuator, again, an electrically-controlled pipe closure fitting is needed, as would be represented by the pipe-closure fittings 2-5 of Figure 1 when an electric actuator is used. The problem according to the object of the invention is, therefore, apparently only relocating. This does not exist in reality. As long as it is

E.g. In the case of the device shown in Figures 2 to 5, the pipe shut-off valves 2 through 5 have to pass an increasing gas flow and are thus larger and larger in size, whereas in the electropneumatic actuator only the control signal is transmitted, which is less than or equal to change is a more advantageous solution.

«4. · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

- 15 To operate pneumatic equipment until:

The embodiment of Fig. 6 is not used, and the working fluid itself can be used as the working fluid / primary pressure / gas which is fed into the container 10 after work. The gas used for the control may need to be filtered and dewatered for safe operation and, if necessary, reduced to a control pressure by means of an analogue pressure reducer known per se.

In most cases this is not an obstacle, for example. In the case of equipment connected to a 6 bar pressure network, a gas of 1 bar pressure can be used as a working fluid, which, after work, is introduced into a toothpick pressure vessel 10 of 0.03 bar. In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the working fluid should preferably be compressed air, since here the medium must be blown down to a pressure lower than the secondary pressure, but no such pressure is present in the gas system. Here, it is most desirable to reduce the compressed air to atmospheric pressure, that is, to vent it to ambient air, and therefore this embodiment is preferred where compressed air / even instrument air / network is provided.

Designed and operated as described above, gas management control tasks can be accomplished with simpler interfaces, over a wider range, with increasing accuracy and significantly more durable components.

Claims (6)

Patent claims: 1. / Gas control equipment having a gas source connected pipe / 1 /, a consumer connected pipe / 11 / and associated tank / 10 /, a high pressure pipe / 1 / and a lower pressure pipe / 11 / and / or with tank / 10 / n with variable throughput and / / / controlled by a controller / 12 / programmed with pipe shut-off fittings · / 2-5 / ^ ell-through Pipes ^ characterized by being a pipe shut-off fitting / 2-5 / nozzles 16/17 / opposed to nozzles / 16,17 / axially symmetrically mounted in a retaining wall / 22 / reinforced working cylinders / 18/19 /, their pistons / / has reinforced closures / 21 /. An embodiment of the apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that its working cylinders are single acting with spring return. 3. The device of claim 1, characterized in that its cylinders are double-acting. 4. / Embodiment according to claim 1, characterized in that its working cylinders are connected in the open direction by a wire (24) to the actuator (12) and in the closing direction by a secondary pressure vessel (10) into the same pressure space (28). The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the partition / 15 / bore and the container / 10 / are connected in series with a known pressure reducer / 13 / and a flowmeter / 14 /, the flowmeter / 14 / signal is wired / 14 '/ the pilot is switched on / 12 /. 6 / 1-4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it has a pressure reducer (13) and a flow meter (14) known sequentially connected to the tank (10) in a conductive tube with the lowest throughput nozzle and the output signal of the flow meter to the control unit (14). is on.