JPH02218934A - Liquid leakage monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the cost of the apparatus in the title device by providing a safety means for executing predetermined countermeasure against liquid leakage when there is no detection of liquid level by a high liquid level detecting means while the measurement duration by a measuring means reaches an allowable upper limit duration. CONSTITUTION:A controller 10 is equipped with a counting circuit 10A for counting time (t) since automatic water supply start-up time (when both water level sensors 31A, 31B are turned OFF). In addition, a safety circuit 10C is incorporated for shutting a water supply electromagnetic valve 16 as well as issuing a warning assuming that there is a relatively large amount of water leakage in a water supply tank 11 and hot water circulating paths 22A, 22B or the sensor 31A is faulty if the sensor 31A is not be turned ON until the time (t) reaches the allowable upper limit. This constitution can reduce the cost for the apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for monitoring liquid leakage from a liquid tank itself or liquid leakage in a liquid circulation path or the like that receives liquid supply from a liquid tank.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in order to monitor liquid leakage, there has been a method in which a pair of electric wires for detecting liquid leakage by detecting an electrical short circuit caused by the leaked liquid is placed at a location where there is a possibility of liquid leakage.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, with the above-mentioned conventional method, a pair of leak detection wires must be placed throughout the entire area where there is a possibility of liquid leakage, which makes the equipment complicated and costly to assemble. , there was a problem of high costs.

In particular, if you want to monitor liquid leaks in a liquid circulation path that receives liquid replenishment from a liquid tank (for example, a hot water circulation path in a hot water circulation type heating system), a pair of liquid leakage detection wires should be connected along the liquid circulation path. It must also be extended over the entire length of the liquid circulation path.
The above-mentioned problem has become particularly noticeable.

An object of the present invention is to simplify the device configuration by adopting a rational liquid leakage detection form.

[Means to solve the problem]

A characteristic configuration of the liquid leak monitoring device according to the present invention is that, when replenishing liquid to a liquid tank, a measuring means is provided for measuring the elapsed time from the start of liquid replenishment, and the liquid level in the liquid tank is set to the liquid level at the time of starting liquid replenishment. A high liquid level detecting means is provided for detecting that the liquid level has risen to a position higher than the set height, and the high liquid level is detected until the elapsed time measured by the measuring means reaches the set allowable upper limit elapsed time. The present invention is based on the provision of a safety means that takes predetermined measures against liquid leakage when there is no liquid level detection by means, and its functions and effects are as follows.

[For production]

In other words, if there is no liquid level detection by the high liquid level detection means during the elapsed time from the start of liquid replenishment measured by the measuring means until the set allowable upper limit elapsed time, the liquid level will not be detected by the liquid tank itself or from the liquid tank. Assuming that the liquid level did not rise to the set height despite liquid replenishment during the set allowable upper limit elapsed time due to liquid leakage occurring in the liquid circulation path etc. receiving replenishment, the specified liquid This system automatically executes leakage countermeasures.

[Effects of the Invention] That is, according to the present invention, the device configuration for detecting a liquid leak can be improved by eliminating the need to arrange a pair of electric wires for detecting a liquid leak over the entire area where a liquid leak may occur. The liquid tank itself,
It is possible to deal with liquid leakage in the liquid circulation path etc. that receives liquid supply from the liquid tank, and while ensuring safety against liquid leakage, the device requires less equipment to assemble compared to conventional methods due to the simple device configuration. It has become possible to simplify the process and reduce the cost.

In addition, with the present invention, even if the high liquid level detection means does not detect the liquid level due to a failure, the prescribed liquid leakage countermeasures are carried out, so that the liquid leakage to the liquid tank is carried out based on the liquid level detected by the high liquid level detection means. In the case of adopting an operation mode in which liquid replenishment is stopped, there is an advantage that it can also deal with liquid leakage in the form of overflow caused by a failure of the high liquid level detection means.

〔Example] Next, an example will be described.

The drawing shows the overall configuration of the hot water supply/heating system, where (1) is a wooden lid, and (2A) and (2B) are the first and second tiers, respectively, which function as a heating source using hot water supplied from the wooden lid (1) as a heat source heat medium. It is a 2-terminal device.

The wooden lid (1) has the main internal equipment, the first one for general hot water supply.
A heat exchanger (3), a second heat exchanger (4) for heating and hot water supply, and a first burner (1) that heats the flowing water in the first heat exchanger (3).
5), a second heating the flowing water in the second heat exchanger (4);
Burner (6), first and second burners (5), (
6) for the first and second air passages (7A) and (7B)
Combustion air (secondary air) is distributed in parallel through
While supplying ventilation, each of the first and second heat exchangers (3
), a fan (9) that forcibly exhausts the combustion gas passed through (4) to the outside of the device via an exhaust path (8), a controller (10) that controls operation, and a make-up water tank for heating and hot water supply (
11) and a circulation pump (12) are installed inside.

(13) is a water supply waterway, and this water supply waterway (13) is a main water supply waterway (13A) that connects to the first heat exchanger (3) for general hot water supply.
) and a make-up waterway (13B) connected to a make-up water tank (11) for heating and hot water supply, and the main water supply waterway (13A) is equipped with a water governor (14) and a water flow sensor (15). However, a make-up water solenoid valve (16) and a manual make-up water valve (17) are installed in the make-up waterway (13B).

(18) is a drain valve with a filter.

A hot water supply path (19) from the first heat exchanger (3) is connected to a general hot water tap (21) via an external hot water supply pipe (20), while the second heat exchanger (4) and each terminal Vessel (2A).

(2B) is connected by a hot water circulation path (22A) and (22B) formed by internal piping and external piping,
A supply tank (11) and a circulation pump (1) are installed in the return side hot water circulation path (22B) from the terminals (2A) and (2B)
2) is interposed.

(23) is a fuel gas supply path, and this fuel gas supply path (23) is connected to a first fuel path (23A) connected to a first burner (5) for general hot water supply, and a second burner for heating hot water supply. (6
), and the first and second fuel paths (23A), j23B) are connected to the first and second fuel paths (23A), j23B), and the fuel gas supply to each burner (5), (6) is intermittent. First and second fuel solenoid valves (24A), (24B),
Also, first and second electromagnetic proportional valves (25A) that adjust the amount of fuel gas supplied to each burner (5), (6).

(25B) is inserted.

(26) is a safety solenoid valve that collectively cuts off the fuel gas supply to both burners (5) and (6).

In addition, (27) in the figure is the first heat exchanger for general hot water supply (
3) a first temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature from (28);
) is a second temperature sensor that detects the hot water temperature from the second heat exchanger (4) for heating and hot water supply, and (29A),
(29B) are the first burner (5) and the second burner (
6) first and second spark plugs, (308),
(30B) are the first burner (5) and the second burner (
6) are the first and second flame ronds to confirm ignition.

The controller (10) executes the following general hot water supply operation control and heating hot water supply operation control as basic operation control.

(General hot water supply operation control) When the general hot water tap (21) is opened, the water flow sensor (15) detects the water flow, and in response, the fan (9) is activated, and , the first spark plug (29A) is activated to spark, and the safety solenoid valve (29A) is activated.
6) and the first fuel solenoid valve (24A) is opened to ignite the first burner (5).

1st burner (5) by 1st flame rod (30A)
When ignition of the spark plug (29A) is confirmed, the spark operation of the first spark plug (29A) is stopped.

Based on the amount of water detected by the water amount sensor (15) and the set 1C hot water supply temperature, the amount of fuel gas supplied to obtain the set general hot water temperature is calculated, and the amount of fuel gas supplied to the first burner (5) is calculated. The first step is to calculate the fuel gas supply amount.
Adjust the opening of the electromagnetic proportional valve (25A). Thereafter, the first temperature sensor (27) maintains the hot water supply temperature detected by the first temperature sensor (27) at the set general hot water temperature.
Based on the detection information in step 7), the opening degree of the first electromagnetic proportional valve (25^) is finely adjusted as appropriate.

When the general hot water tap (21) is closed, in response to the water flow sensor (15) becoming non-detecting the water flow,
Safety solenoid valve (26) and the first. The fuel solenoid valve (24A) is closed to extinguish the first burner (5), and then the fan (9) is stopped.

(Heating and Hot Water Supply Operation Control) When the operation of at least one of the terminal devices (2A) and (2B) is started, the circulation pump (12) is activated in response to a signal from the terminal device whose operation has been started. The fan (9) is started, and subsequently the second ignition plug (29B) is activated to spark, and the safety solenoid valve (
26) and the second fuel solenoid valve (24B) to ignite the second burner (6).

2nd burner (6) by 2nd frame rond (30B)
When ignition of the spark plug (29B) is confirmed, the spark operation of the second spark plug (29B) is stopped.

Then, the second temperature sensor (28) maintains the hot water supply temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (28) at the set heating hot water temperature.
Based on the detection information of 28), the amount of fuel gas supplied to the second burner (6) is adjusted by adjusting the opening of the second electromagnetic proportional valve (25B).

In addition, if the hot water supply temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (28) remains higher than the set heating hot water supply temperature even if the opening degree of the second electromagnetic proportional valve (25B) is adjusted to the lower limit opening degree, in other words, the second electromagnetic proportional valve When the heating load on the terminals (2A) and (2B) becomes so small that it cannot be followed by adjusting the heating and hot water supply capacity by adjusting the opening of the valve (25B), the second fuel solenoid valve (25B)
The ON/OFF control of the second burner (6) is executed by opening/closing 4B).

When the operation of both terminal devices (2A) and (2B) is stopped, the safety solenoid valve (26) and the second fuel solenoid valve (24B) are closed in response to the operation stop signal from the terminal device side. to extinguish the second burner (6), and then turn on the fan (
9) and the circulation pump (12) are stopped.

General hot water supply operation and heating hot water supply operation can be performed in parallel, and when only one of the general hot water supply operation and heating hot water supply operation is being performed and the other operation is started,
The operation to open the safety solenoid valve (26) that is already in the open state and the operation to start the fan (9) that has already been started are omitted, and the general hot water supply operation and the heating hot water supply operation are performed in parallel. When stopping only one of the operations from the state where the safety solenoid valve (26) is closed, and
The operation to stop the fan (9) is omitted.

In addition to the above-mentioned general hot water supply operation control and heating hot water supply operation control, the controller (10) is configured to perform water replenishment control for the makeup water tank (11), and specifically,
The make-up water tank (11) is equipped with a high water level sensor (31A) that is turned on when the water level is higher than the set high level (H), and a low water level sensor (31A) that is turned on when the water level is higher than the set low level (L). A water level sensor (31B) is attached, and both of these water level sensors (31A).

Based on the detection information of (31B), the makeup water tank (11)
When the water level of the water level falls to the set low level (L) (that is, both water level sensors (31A) and (31B) are set to O
FF), the make-up water solenoid valve (16) is opened to automatically start water replenishment to the make-up water tank (11), and after the start, the water level of the make-up water tank (11) is set. When the water level rises to the high level (11) (that is, when both water level sensors (31A) and (31B) are turned on), the make-up water solenoid valve (16) is closed and the make-up water tank (11) is It is designed to automatically stop water supply.

In addition, in order to execute the water replenishment control as described above, the controller (10) is configured to determine the automatic water replenishment start point (in other words, both water level sensors (31A) and (31B)) in each automatic water replenishment. The first measurement circuit (10A) measures the elapsed time (1) from the time when both water level sensors (31A) and (31B) are turned OFF, and both water level sensors (31A) and (31B) Both OF
Time (T) until the water level reaches F (in other words, the water level in the make-up water tank (11) changes from the set high level ()l) to the set low level (L)
A second measuring circuit (10
B), and the detection elapsed time by the first measurement circuit (10A) (
If the high water level sensor (31A) does not turn ON until the allowable upper limit elapsed time (tmax) set in 1), the makeup water tank (11) or hot water circulation path (22A)
, (22B) is leaking a relatively large amount of water, or the high water level sensor (31A") is out of order.
6) and issues an alarm, and also cuts off the second measurement circuit (
10B) is shorter than the set allowable lower limit time (Tmin), the make-up water tank (11)
Assuming that there is a relatively small amount of water leaking from the hot water circulation path (22A) and (22B), both water level sensors (31A)
, (31B) are both QFF (a safety circuit (10C) is incorporated that prevents the automatic start of water replenishment and issues an alarm.

The setting allowable upper limit elapsed time (tmax) is the supply waterway (
It is determined based on the amount of makeup water per unit time from 13B) and the volume of the makeup water tank (11) (specifically, the volume between the set low level (L) and the set high level (11)), and ,
The setting allowable lower limit time (Tmin) is determined by the amount of water retained per unit time that is recognized to be within the normal range due to natural evaporation of water, etc., and the volume of the makeup water tank (11) (low setting (L) and high setting (11)) is determined based on the volume between

In addition, the manual make-up water valve (17) is normally kept open.

In the figure, (32) is an overflow pipe/vent pipe.

[Another example]

Next, another example will be listed.

(a) The liquid tank targeted in the present invention is not limited to a make-up water tank in a hot water circulation type heating device, but can be targeted to liquid tanks for various uses.

(TI) The start and stop of liquid replenishment to the liquid tank may be automatic or manual, respectively.

(c) Predetermined liquid leakage countermeasures implemented by safety measures are not limited to automatic stopping of liquid replenishment to the liquid tank and notification of liquid leakage information (alarms, etc.); It may take any form, such as opening a drain valve.

Moreover, the predetermined liquid leakage countermeasures that the safety means is made to take may be one type or more than one type.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings are device configuration diagrams showing embodiments of the present invention. (10A)...Measuring means, (10C)...
... Safety measures, (11) ... Liquid tank, (31A)
...High liquid level detection means, (22A), (22
B)...Liquid circulation path.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In replenishing the liquid tank (11), a measuring means (10A) is provided to measure the elapsed time (t) from the start of liquid replenishment, and the liquid level in the liquid tank (11) is A high liquid level detection means (31A) is provided to detect when the liquid level has risen to a position (H) that is a set height higher than the liquid level (L) at the time of starting liquid replenishment, and the measurement progress by the measuring means (10A) is provided. When the liquid level is not detected by the high liquid level detection means (31A) until the time (t) reaches the set allowable upper limit elapsed time (tmax), the safety means (10C ) Liquid leakage monitoring device. 2. The liquid tank (11) is connected to the liquid circulation path (22A), (22B)
2. The liquid leakage monitoring device according to claim 1, which is a liquid supply tank for a liquid leakage system. 3. The liquid leak monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the safety means (10C) notifies liquid leak information as a measure against the predetermined liquid leak. 4. The liquid leakage monitoring device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the safety means (10C) automatically stops the supply of liquid to the liquid tank (11) as a measure against the predetermined liquid leakage. . 5. Claims 1, 2, 3, wherein the safety means (10C) opens a drain valve as a measure against leakage of the predetermined liquid.
Or, the liquid leakage monitoring device according to 4. 6. A liquid replenishing means for replenishing the liquid tank (11),
The liquid leakage system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, wherein the liquid supply to the liquid tank (11) is automatically stopped in response to liquid level detection by the high liquid level detection means (31A). monitoring equipment.