JPH0328754A - electrolyte solution sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow the rapid discovery of leaking liquid by short-circuiting two pieces of metallic wires having the different electrode potentials to the leaking liquid, coating the wires with a non-liquid-absorptive inside knit layer, doubling and twisting the wires and coating the outer side thereof with a liquid absorptive outside knit layer impregnated with an acid-base indicator. CONSTITUTION:The constitution constituting in doubling and twisting tow pieces of the metallic wires 2, 3, each of which is coated with the inside knit layer 4, and coating the wires with the outside knit layer is adopted for this sensor. The metallic wires 2, 3 are short-circuited at one end 6 so that an electrolysis takes place between the metallic wires 2 and 3 even if salt water leaks in any places. Since the outside knit layer 5 is knitted by liquid absorptive yarn impregnated with the acid-base indicator and, therefore, the salt water penetrates into this layer and arrives at the part between the metallic wires through the inside knit layer 4 when the salt water leaks. An electrode potential is then generated to generate a current. The salt water is electrolyzed to strong alkalinity. As a result, the alkali reacts with the acid-base indicator of the outside knit layer and develops an assigned color. The efficient detection of the leakage is possible if this sensor 1 is placed around, for example, a salt water tank 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a method for preventing electrolyte solution, especially salt water or salt water i8 solution (hereinafter referred to as salt water) from leaking onto the floor, etc., from ordinary water, which is a non-electrolyte solution. This invention relates to a liquid leakage sensor that can identify a leak and quickly find the location of the leak.

(Conventional technique) In recent years, it has become common to transport seafood and the like alive, and therefore salt water tanks that store large amounts of salt water have come to be used at transportation sites. In a normal cargo vehicle, even if a small amount of salt water leaks from this Φ salt water tank onto the floor, the leak can be stopped as soon as the leak is noticed and the leaked salt water can be washed away.However, transport by aircraft In this case, due to the limitations of the aircraft's 44 F and its structure, it is necessary to immediately detect and respond to salt water leaks. If there is a risk of a serious accident,
To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to discover leaks early and flush them out completely.

As such a liquid leakage sensor that detects liquid leakage, a liquid leakage sensor that detects liquid leakage such as water or oil can be used. For example, if these liquids leak between two conductive wires and enter, there are devices that detect leakage by electrically detecting changes in electrical resistance or capacitance (for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 56-43940). (see publication).

In order to specify the location, there is a method that further attaches a position detection line between the two conductive wires and uses a section detection method or the like to specify the location.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The electrical leak sensor described in the prior art uses electrical means such as energization, and therefore requires complex electrical control equipment for analysis and display. Therefore, there is a problem in that maintenance and inspection by skilled operators is required to maintain good operating conditions at all times.In addition, the use of explosion-proof and other safety measures is prohibited. Further, in order to detect only salt water and not ordinary water, increasingly complex electrical equipment is required.
A liquid leakage sensor that requires complicated operations is not suitable, and a disposable liquid leakage sensor that can be detected by an amateur at a glance or that can identify saltwater leakage and its location with a simple confirmation operation is desired. Furthermore, the use of electrical means itself is not desirable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and aims to provide a liquid leakage sensor that can quickly visually detect leakage points of electrolyte solutions such as salt water.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the liquid leakage sensor of the present invention includes at least two metal wires whose surfaces are free from metals having different electrode potentials with respect to liquid leakage. Each metal wire is covered with a permeable but non-absorbent internal braided layer, and the coated metal wires are arranged side by side or twisted together and the outer side is covered with an acid-base indicator. It is coated with a liquid-absorbent outer braided layer impregnated with.

The liquid leakage sensor may also be provided with a liquid-soluble display material that develops a color different from that of the acid-base indicator inside the outer braided body layer.

In addition, this leakage sensor can be manufactured by having the inner braided layer colored in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator, or by providing a non-liquid soluble indicator material with a color different from that of the acid-base indicator inside the outer braided layer. Additionally, the outer braided body layer may be made of fibers that become transparent upon liquid absorption.

[Effect]

When salt water from the electrolyte solution leaks, it soaks into the absorbent outer braided layer, passes through the permeable inner braided layer, and reaches the two metal wires with different electrode potentials. Since these two metal wires are short-circuited at at least one point, an electrode potential is generated between these metal wires and a current flows. Then, the salt water is electrolyzed, and if it is salt water, strong alkaline NaOI1 is formed on the side where the electrode potential is higher. This N a O H passes through the permeable inner braid layer to the outer braid layer. Since the outer braided body layer is impregnated with an acid-base indicator (or a base indicator in the case of an alkali), this N a O H reacts with the base indicator to give an indicator color. On the other hand, even if non-electrolyte cold water leaks, it simply soaks in and does not produce any color.

The liquid-cooling display material, which develops a color different from that of the acid-base indicator, permanently indicates the location where the liquid, whether salt water or water, has leaked. If salt water leaks and dries without being discovered, the indicator color of the acid-base indicator will disappear, but the markings on this indicator will remain, making it possible to pinpoint the location of the leak. When water is soaked in again, if salt water has leaked out, the NaOH and base indicator will react again and take on the indicator color. If water leaks, no color will develop.

The inner braided layer is colored in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator, or a non-liquid-cooled indicator material is provided inside the outer braided layer in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator. If it is made of thread that becomes transparent when liquid is absorbed, the coloring of the internal braided layer or display material will stand out when liquid is absorbed, making it difficult to see where the liquid has leaked, whether salt water or water, until it dries up. Display is incorrect.

Therefore, we point out the location of the leak so that we can go to the spot and check in detail whether there is an indicator color where the acid-base indicator has reacted.

〔Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

1 to 3 are perspective views of the liquid leakage sensor, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the usage state of the liquid leakage sensor.

In FIG. 1, the freeze leakage sensor 1 consists of two
Each of ~ coated with the inner braided body layer 4 are arranged side by side or twisted together to form the outer layer 1! It is covered with an assembly layer 5.

The metal wires 2 and 3 are metals having different electrode potentials with respect to the salt water of the electrolyte, for example, the copper wire 2 and the aluminum wire 3. After covering these layers with an internal braided layer 4 described below, they are arranged side by side or twisted together and short-circuited at one end 6. And no matter where the salt water leaks, electrolysis will occur between the metal wires. In addition, metal wire 2
．． It is not necessary that the entire part 3 be made of the above-mentioned copper and aluminum, and only the surface thereof may be thickly plated or plated. Furthermore, the short-circuit location of the metal wire 2.3 is not limited to only one end, but may be short-circuited at both ends. Furthermore, if the metal wires 2 and 3 are short-circuited at key points, the metal wires can be arbitrarily cut and used to the extent that at least one short-circuit can be ensured, depending on the place of use.

The inner braided layer 4 is made of, for example, monofilament polyethylene yarn.

Since this internal braided body layer 4 is a braided body, it has a permeability that allows liquid leakage to pass through well, and is also non-liquid absorbent so as not to stop this leakage. Therefore, leakage liquid that has passed through the outer braided layer 5, which will be described below, can be electrolyzed by the two metal wires 23, and the product can be sent back to the outer braided layer 5. The metal wires 23 covered with the internal braided body layer 4 are arranged substantially parallel to each other (arranged in parallel) or twisted together.

The outer braided body layer 5 is composed of liquid-absorbing yarn impregnated with an acid-base indicator. The liquid-absorbing PL thread is preferably one made of organic synthetic fiber (for example, Cornenox (registered trademark) manufactured by Teijin Ltd.) whose main component is polymetaphenylene isophthalate ξ. In other words, this Cornesox has excellent heat resistance and flame retardancy, and can be used in places where strict heat resistance and flame retardance are required, such as in aircraft. In addition, the acid-base indicators impregnated into this fiber include P Fl indicators, hydrogen ion concentration indicators, phthalein-based neutralization indicators, sulfonephthalein-based, adz-based, trinoelmethane-based, mono-zein-based, and nitro-based indicators. Organic dyes are used. Among them,
Phenolphthalein is normally a colorless crystal, but when dissolved in alkali it turns deep red, making it ideal as an acid-base indicator in cases where alkali is produced through electrolysis, such as in salt water. In addition, the absorbent yarn is not limited to Cornesox, but multifilament yarns and spun yarns that are excellent in absorbency and can be impregnated with acid-base directive threads such as Te1 and [1] are also selected.

Figure 2 does not show a liquid leakage sensor to which 4=J of liquid-soluble indicating materials are added. That is, compared to the one in FIG. 1, the liquid-soluble display material 7 is provided in the recess between the two metal wires 2.3 covered with the inner braided layer 4, and the outer braided layer is It is integrally coated with 5. This display {A7 is made by impregnating a linear material such as a thread, string, or paper tape with an indicating agent such as a coloring agent or a luminescent agent. It is designed to elute colors that can be clearly distinguished from other colors. Therefore, if there is a leak, whether salt water or water, even if the leaked area dries, the color of the indicator will remain on the surface of the outer braided body layer 5 in that area, and the color of the indicator will remain at the leaked area. You can search for it later. and,
Even if the color of the acid-base indicator disappears, it is possible to test whether the leaked part contains water and exhibits the color of the acid-base indicator again.

If it does not show the color of the indicator, it is simply a water leak; if it shows the color of the indicator, it is salt water and the surrounding area needs to be cleaned. Note that the display material can also be wrapped around the outside of the inner braided body layer 4 in a helical shape using thread, string, paper tape, etc. impregnated with a coloring agent or the like. Moreover, the display material to which the liquid-soluble display material 7 is added is used disposable in principle.

FIG. 3 shows a leakage sensor with a non-liquid soluble indicator added. That is, a non-liquid soluble display material 8 is provided in the depression between the two metal wires 2.3 covered with the inner braided layer 4, and is integrally covered with the outer braided layer 9. . Furthermore, this outer braided body layer 9 is not a liquid-absorbent LJ that conducts leakage through capillary action, but a non-liquid-soluble multifilament yarn or spun yarn that becomes transparent by this liquid absorption. . Therefore, the outer braided body layer 9 is opaque in a dry state due to diffused reflection, but becomes transparent when liquid is absorbed, and the non-liquid-cooled display material 8 inside appears transparent. This display material 8 is selected to have a color that can be clearly distinguished from the color of the threads constituting the outer braided layer 9. Therefore, if there is a leak, whether salt water or water, the leaked area can be clearly seen. The location of the leak can then be inspected in detail to see if it exhibits the color of the acid-base indicator. For example, when this liquid leakage sensor is used in a place where water may frequently spill, if it is just water, it will dry and return to its original state if left as is. Note that it is also possible to weave it as a part of the internal braided body layer 4 using a yarn impregnated with the display material, or it is also possible to color the entire internal braided body layer in an insoluble manner.

FIG. 4 shows how the leakage sensor described above is used. For example, the leakage sensor 1 can be placed around the salt water tank 10. Generally, leaks often occur in the surrounding area, so leaks can be detected efficiently. Note that this liquid leakage sensor I is convenient because it is easy to install and remove when used as a disposable device.

In addition, although the above explanation explained the case of salt water as liquid leakage, liquid leakage is not limited to salt water only. That is, the present invention can be applied to any electrolytic liquid by appropriately selecting the electrode material and the acid-base indicator.

〔Effect of the invention〕

11 Since the present invention is subject to the IT precept as explained above,
This produces the following effects.

First, it is safe because it does not have electrical means.

Then, at least two metal wires whose surfaces are made of metals with different electrode potentials for liquid leakage are short-circuited at at least one point, and each metal wire is covered with a permeable but non-liquid-absorbing internal braided layer. The coated metal wires are arranged in parallel or twisted together, and the outer side is covered with a liquid-absorbing outer braided layer impregnated with an acid-base indicator, so that if salt water, etc., which is an electrolyte, leaks, it will cause electricity. Due to decomposition, NaOH, etc. are generated and exhibit an indicator color, so you can spot leaks of salt water, etc. at a glance! Anyone can detect it quickly and easily without adjusting electrical equipment or the like.

In addition, a liquid-soluble indicator material that develops a color different from that of the acid-base indicator is provided inside the outer braided body layer, so that the location of leakage, whether salt water or water, can be permanently indicated, so that, for example, Even in places where people are not always present, such as an aircraft cargo hold, you can later identify the location of the leak and reconfirm whether the leak is salt water by simply pouring water on it and take appropriate measures such as cleaning. All you have to do is do it.

In addition, the inner braided layer is colored in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator, or a non-liquid-soluble display material of a color different from that of the acid-base indicator is provided inside the outer braided layer, and the outer braided layer is colored in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator. As it is made of thread that becomes transparent when it is liquid, it makes it easy to see where leaks occur, regardless of whether it is salt water or water, making it possible to detect leaks early in places where people are always present, for example, and also to fix the source if it is just a water leak. There is no need to frequently replace the leakage sensor.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 are perspective views of the liquid leakage sensor, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the usage state of the liquid leakage sensor. Note that explanations of main symbols in the drawings are as follows. l...Leakage sensor, 2.3...Metal wire, 4...Inner braided body layer, 5.9...Outer braided body layer, 6...One end (short circuit part), 7...・Liquid soluble display, 8...Non-liquid soluble display.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Two metal wires whose surfaces are made of metals with different electrode potentials for liquid leakage are short-circuited at at least one point, and each metal wire is layered with a permeable but non-liquid-absorbing internal braided body layer. A liquid leakage sensor characterized in that the coated metal wires are arranged in parallel or twisted together, and the outer side of the coated metal wires is covered with a liquid-absorbing outer braided layer impregnated with an acid-base indicator. (2) The liquid leakage sensor according to claim 1, wherein a liquid-soluble indicator material that develops a color different from that of the acid-base indicator is provided inside the outer braided body layer. (3) The liquid leakage sensor according to claim 1, wherein the inner braided body layer is colored in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator, or the outer braided body layer has a non-liquid-soluble material in a color different from that of the acid-base indicator. A liquid leakage sensor comprising an indicator material and an outer braided layer made of thread that becomes transparent when liquid is absorbed.