JP3579976B2 - Piping leak monitoring device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a pipe leakage monitoring device that automatically detects the presence or absence of a fluid leak in a transport pipeline that transports a fluid.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a leak monitoring device for a pipeline for transporting a fluid, a configuration of a leak monitoring device for a gas supply pipe as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 4-64787 and 4-36338 has been known. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0003]
First, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 10, a gas supply source 1 such as propane gas, a gas supply pipe 2, a parent gas meter 3 for integrating the entire supply gas from the gas supply source 1, and individual gas usage of each supply destination It was composed of an individual gas meter 4 for integrating the amounts and individual gas appliances 5. Here, the parent gas meter 3 takes in the flow rate detection mechanism 6 and the CPU 7 which takes in the data detected by this detection mechanism to determine whether or not it is normal, and takes out the data calculated by the CPU 7 through the signal line 8. The communication controller 9 is provided, and the data is transmitted to the host computer 11 on the center side through the telephone line 10. Here, 12 is a pressure regulator, and 13 is a valve.
[0004]
In such a configuration, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection mechanism 6 installed in the parent gas meter 3, the gas usage reduction time zone, the minimum flow rate and their deviation values are learned, and the total value thereof and the current data are obtained. It is determined whether or not the current data is within the normal range by comparison, and an alarm output is generated when it is determined that the data is abnormal.
[0005]
In another conventional example shown in FIG. 11, the gas is supplied to a gas appliance 5 via a parent gas meter 3, which integrates the entire supply gas from the gas supply source 1, a gas supply pipe 2, and an individual gas meter 4 of each supply destination. At the same time, the parent gas meter 3 and the individual gas meter 4 have a flow transmission function 14, and are gas supply leak monitoring devices capable of exchanging flow information with a management device 15 that manages each gas meter. Here, reference numeral 16 denotes a minute leak monitoring meter.
[0006]
In such a configuration, the gas flow rate during a predetermined time period during the day when the gas consumption is small is collected for each gas meter in the management device by the flow transmission function, and the flow rate value Ns of the parent gas meter 3 and each individual The flow rate values N1, N2,..., Nn of the gas meter 4 are compared with the sum N1 + N2 +... + Nn, and Ns ≦ N1 + N2 +.
, Ns> N1 + N2 +... + Nn (Equation 2)
In the case of (1), the configuration is such that there is a leakage determination method that there is leakage.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in a pipe leak monitoring device such as a conventional example, pipe leak determination is performed on the assumption that there is a period in which gas appliances in all houses are not used at the same time. As the lifestyle changes, it becomes unclear whether there is a gas leak upstream of the individual gas meter, or whether gas appliances such as gas air conditioners are actually used continuously. There is a problem that the reliability of the leak determination is significantly reduced, and furthermore, there is a problem that even when there is continuous use of a spark ignition, a gas leak is erroneously determined upstream of the gas meter.
[0008]
In another conventional example, there is an error of about ± 3% in the gas flow rate measurement. Therefore, when calculating the total flow rate of each individual gas meter, the error of each meter is superimposed and enlarged, and the reliability of the leak judgment is reduced. If the number of units increases, it is very difficult to calculate the flow rate of each individual meter at the same time, and each individual meter measured at a different time from the measurement time of the parent gas meter However, there is a problem that the reliability of the information for judging the leakage is low even when the sum of the flow rates is compared.
[0009]
A first object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a method for closing a pipe by a shutoff valve and measuring pressure fluctuations in the pipe by a downstream pressure detecting means to accurately and accurately determine a leak. And
[0010]
A second object of the present invention is to provide a pressure reducing valve in a bypass flow path parallel to a shutoff valve so that gas can be supplied without cutting even when a gas appliance is used on the downstream side.
[0011]
It is a third object of the present invention to facilitate installation in an existing pipeline by detecting flow information in the pipeline by a plurality of individual flow rate measuring means provided downstream.
[0012]
It is a fourth object of the present invention to detect gas usage information based on operation information of a plurality of gas appliances provided downstream and to reliably detect a gas flow.
[0013]
A fifth object is to detect flow information in the pipeline by comparing two pressures of an upstream pressure detection unit and a downstream pressure detection unit on the upstream side of the shutoff valve.
[0014]
It is a sixth object of the present invention to open the shut-off valve when the pressure reducing valve is opened, to stop the leak determination, and to automatically enable gas supply.
[0015]
It is a seventh object of the present invention to improve the determination accuracy by performing a leak determination performed periodically based on the gas usage pattern during a time period between the leak determination performed periodically and the periodic determination time based on the gas usage pattern, and improving the determination accuracy.
[0016]
It is an eighth object of the present invention to improve the accuracy of leak determination by determining a leak when a plurality of leak determination results match all times.
[0017]
A ninth object of the present invention is to prevent a leakage accident by making a leak determination when a leak is determined even once among a plurality of leak determination results.
[0018]
A tenth object is to improve the installability of the leak monitoring device by exchanging information between a plurality of individual flow rate measuring means and control means by wireless communication.
[0019]
An eleventh object is to prevent a trouble such as a misfire of a gas appliance even if the shutoff valve is closed, since the instantaneous flow rate measuring means determines that the flow in the pipeline has stopped.
[0020]
The twelfth object is to provide notification by the data transmission device when it is determined that there is leakage.
[0021]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a control device, comprising: closing a shut-off valve when a pressure value detected by an upstream pressure detection device is equal to or less than a pressure value detected by a downstream pressure detection device; and configured to open the shut-off valve detected pressure value in stops the detected pressure value greater than during leakage monitoring in the downstream pressure detection means.
[0022]
[ Action]
According to the above configuration of the invention, Ru can be determined and reliably accurate measurements to leak the pressure fluctuations in the conduit downstream pressure detection means closes the duct by shielding Danben.
[0023]
Their to, Ru can be detected flow information in the conduit by means of two pressure comparing the upstream side of the upstream pressure detection means and the downstream pressure detection means shielding sectional valve.
[0024]
[ Example]
Hereinafter, a pipe leakage monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a shutoff valve 18 provided in a pipe 17, a downstream pressure detecting means 19 provided downstream of the shutoff valve 18, and a further downstream pipe 20 of the downstream pressure detecting means 19. An instantaneous flow meter 21 as flow detecting means in the pipeline provided in the apparatus, and the shut-off valve 18 is closed when the flow rate in the downstream pipeline 20 becomes a predetermined value or less by the instantaneous flow meter 21 to detect the downstream pressure. The control means 22 for measuring the pressure fluctuation of the means 19 and monitoring the leakage is provided. The bypass channel 23 connects the upstream side and the downstream side of the shut-off valve 18 with different channels, and a pressure reducing valve 24 is provided in the bypass channel 23. Here, 25 is a main line, 26 is a manual shut-off valve, 27 is an individual flow rate measuring means, 28 is a gas appliance, 29 is an apartment house, 30 is the ground, and 31 is a wireless telephone device as a data transmission device.
[0026]
In such a configuration, the control means 22 monitors the flow rate based on the information of the instantaneous flow meter 21 and closes the shutoff valve 18 when the flow rate becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value Q0. Then, if the pressure fluctuation in the downstream pipe line 20 measured by the downstream pressure detecting means 19 decreases by a predetermined value ΔP or more within a predetermined time ΔT as shown in FIG. . When the measurement is completed, the shut-off valve 18 opens again to supply the gas normally. Here, since the instantaneous flow meter 21 is used, it can be instantaneously determined that the flow rate becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value, and even if the shutoff valve 18 is closed, a trouble such as a misfire of the gas appliance 28 occurs. Nothing. In the conventional membrane flow meter, even if the flow rate is less than a predetermined value measured for one hour, the current flow rate is not known, so that closing the shut-off valve may cause a fire in the gas appliance that has begun to be used. .
[0027]
If the gas appliance is used while the shut-off valve 18 is closed and the pressure is measured, the pressure in the downstream pipe 20 decreases as shown in FIG. When the predetermined pressure P1 is reached, gas is supplied from the pressure reducing valve 24, and the gas appliance can operate normally. When the pressure reducing valve 24 operates, the leakage determination is stopped and the shut-off valve is also opened, so that the gas can be normally supplied before the gas appliance reaches the maximum combustion and the gas can be safely operated.
[0028]
In addition, although the leak determination is periodically performed at a predetermined interval, in the leak monitoring that is periodically performed, when a predetermined time T1 is reached, the leak monitoring is performed when the flow rate becomes equal to or less than Q0 for the first time from the time T1. In such a case, the measurement may not be performed well due to the use of the gas appliance in a relatively large flow rate state or after a short time, and the reliability of the determination may be deteriorated. However, even during the regular interval, the reliability of leak monitoring can be improved by searching for the most suitable time zone for leak monitoring by pattern learning and performing leak determination. As shown in FIG. 5, the gas flow rate is monitored by the control means, and when the flow rate is equal to or less than the predetermined flow rate Q0 for a long time, the best measurement condition is detected by pattern learning and detected. Then, at that time, the shutoff valve is closed, and the leakage is monitored. As described above, the detection accuracy and reliability can be improved by detecting the time T0 having the best measurement condition and monitoring the leakage.
[0029]
Furthermore, by performing the leak monitoring a plurality of times, using the results of the plurality of determinations, when the determination results of all the times match, the determination accuracy is improved by determining the leakage, and the erroneous shutoff of the gas supply is improved. Can be prevented. Further, in another algorithm, when it is determined that there is a leak even once, it is determined to be a leak, so that it can be operated on the safe side and the safety of gas supply can be improved. These algorithms can be used depending on the situation. Immediately after the installation of the leak monitoring device, monitoring is performed while confirming the applicability of leak monitoring using an algorithm that matches all times, and after a predetermined period of time. If the leak monitoring can be performed normally, the malfunction can be reduced by determining the leak determination once. In addition, by adding the function of changing the number of leak determinations and the method of determining leaks while watching the elapsed time since the installation of the leak monitoring device, the accuracy of the determination is automatically improved. You can go.
[0030]
Then, if it is determined that there is a leak, a leak alarm is automatically notified to the gas supply management center or the like by the wireless telephone device 31 connected to the control means 22. By using a wireless telephone device, wiring work is not required, and by registering a telephone number, an abnormality report can be easily made at various places.
[0031]
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Portions having the same structure and the same function as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description is omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.
[0032]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the flow in the downstream pipe 20 is determined by the flow signals of the gas meters 27, which are a plurality of individual flow measuring means, provided downstream of the shutoff valve 18. It was configured to include a flow determination unit. Here, 32 is a first wireless communication means, and 33 is a second wireless communication means.
[0033]
In such a configuration, the flow rate information of each gas meter 27 is transmitted by the first wireless communication means 32 and received by the second wireless communication means 33 provided in the control means 22. When all the flow rate information of each gas meter 27 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, it is determined that the flow rate is stopped, and the shutoff valve 18 is closed. Then, the pressure in the downstream side pipe line 20 is measured to determine the leak. The leak determination is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. When at least one of the gas meters knows the flow rate, the information is transmitted to the control means 22 by a radio signal to stop the leakage monitoring and open the shutoff valve. As described above, in the case of an apartment house in which a gas meter is already installed, there is an effect that the construction work can be easily performed simply by adding the work of installing the wireless communication means in each gas meter.
[0034]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Portions having the same structure and the same function as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description is omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.
[0035]
As shown in FIG. 8, a configuration including a pipe flow detection unit that determines a flow in the downstream pipe 20 based on operation information from a plurality of gas appliances 28 provided downstream of the shutoff valve 18. did.
[0036]
In such a configuration, the operation information of each gas appliance 28 is transmitted by the first wireless communication means 32 and received by the second wireless communication means 33 provided in the control means 22. When all the operation information of each gas appliance 28 is stopped, it is determined that the flow is stopped, and the shutoff valve 18 is closed. Then, the leak determination can be performed by measuring the pressure in the downstream pipe 20. The leak determination is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Here, when even one of the gas appliances is informed of the operation, the information is transmitted to the control means 22 by a radio signal to stop the leakage monitoring and open the shut-off valve 18. As described above, in the case of an apartment house where a gas meter is already installed, there is an effect that the construction work can be easily performed simply by adding the construction for installing the wireless communication means in each gas appliance.
[0037]
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Portions having the same structure and the same function as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description is omitted, and different portions will be mainly described.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 9, the first pressure value P1 detected by the upstream pressure detecting means 34 provided on the upstream side of the shutoff valve 18 and the second pressure value P2 detected by the downstream pressure detecting means 19 are controlled. A means for detecting a flow in the pipeline 17 by comparing the first pressure value P1 with the second pressure value P2 which is inputted to the means 22 is provided.
[0039]
In such a configuration, when the first pressure value P1 and the second pressure value P2 satisfy a relationship of P1 ≦ P2, it is determined that the flow is stopped, and the shutoff valve 18 is closed. Then, the pressure in the downstream pipe 20 is measured by the downstream pressure detecting means 19, so that the leak can be determined. The leak determination is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Then, when P1> P2, it is determined that the gas has begun to be used, the leakage monitoring is stopped, and the shutoff valve 18 is opened.
[0040]
In addition, by providing the upstream pressure detecting means on the upstream side of the shut-off valve 18, even in the case where the shut-off valve 18 is closed, if the bypass flow path 23 is open, the flow in the pipeline flows in any direction. Can be determined. Therefore, even when the pressure reducing valve 24 remains open for a long time, the flow in the pipeline can be monitored by P1 and P2, and if the flow rate, that is, the pressure difference is equal to or less than the predetermined flow rate, You can also monitor for leaks.
[0041]
Stated embodiments of the present invention comprehensively as above, the following effects can Ru obtained.
[0042]
The closes the conduit by barrier Danben determines the pressure fluctuations in the line downstream pressure detection means leaks can be determined reliably and accurately.
[0043]
Further, by providing the pressure reducing valve in the bypass flow path parallel to the shutoff valve, gas can be supplied even when the gas appliance is used on the downstream side, and misfire can be prevented.
[0044]
Further, it is possible to facilitate installation on existing pipeline by detecting the flow information in the conduit by a plurality of individual flow rate measuring means provided in the lower stream.
[0045]
Further, it is possible to detect gas usage information based on operation information of a plurality of gas appliances provided downstream, and to reliably detect gas usage information.
[0046]
Further, flow information in the pipeline can be detected by comparing two pressures of the upstream pressure detection means and the downstream pressure detection means on the upstream side of the shutoff valve.
[0047]
Also, shut-off valve when the reducing valve is opened even opened to stop the leakage determination, it is possible to automatically allow the gas used.
[0048]
Further, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy perform leakage determination time zone gas used is small from the gas usage patterns in the time zone between periodic determination time.
[0049]
Further, it is possible to improve the leakage determination accuracy by several leakage determination result birefringence is determined to leak if they match all times.
[0050]
Further, it is possible to prevent leaks by determining the safe side by the leakage determination when it is determined that the leakage even once among the multiple times of leakage determination result.
[0051]
Further, it is possible to improve the installation of the leakage monitoring device by the information exchanging control means and multiple several individual flow rate measuring means by wireless communication.
[0052]
Further, since the judgment that the flow conduit by the information of instantaneous bandwagon amount measuring means has stopped, troubles such as the current because the flow conditions are well compatible, misfire gas appliance also closes the shut-off valve Can be prevented. Then, when it is determined that there is a leak, a report can be made via a telephone line, and a report can be easily made to various places.
[0053]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the pipe leak monitoring device of the present invention, the pipe line is closed by the shutoff valve, and the pressure change in the pipe line is determined by the downstream pressure detecting means, so that the leak can be reliably and accurately determined. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a pipe leakage monitoring device showing an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram around control means of the device. FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram illustrating the operation of the device. FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram illustrating still another operation of the device. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a pipe leakage monitoring device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a pipe leak monitoring device showing another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a pipe leak monitoring device showing still another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a conventional pipe leak monitoring device. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of another conventional pipe leak monitoring device.
17 Pipeline 18 Shutoff valve 19 Downstream pressure detecting means 20 Downstream side pipe 21 Instantaneous flow meter (flow detecting means in pipe)
22 control means 23 bypass flow path 24 pressure reducing valve 27 gas meter (individual flow rate measuring means)
28 Gas appliance 31 Wireless telephone device (data transmission device)
32 first wireless communication means 33 second wireless communication means 34 upstream pressure detecting means

Claims (11)

A shut-off valve provided in the pipe, an upstream pressure detecting means provided upstream of the shut-off valve, a downstream pressure detecting means provided downstream of the shut-off valve, and when a flow in the pipe becomes a predetermined value or less. Control means for closing the shut-off valve, determining pressure fluctuations of the downstream pressure detection means and monitoring leakage, wherein the control means detects that the pressure value detected by the upstream pressure detection means is the downstream pressure detection the shut-off valve is closed when the following detected pressure value after the leakage determination by means, sometimes leakage monitoring greater than the pressure value detected by the pressure values detected by the said upstream pressure detection means said downstream pressure detection means A pipe leakage monitoring device that stops and opens the shutoff valve. The pipe leakage monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a bypass flow path that connects an upstream side and a downstream side of the shutoff valve with different flow paths, and a pressure reducing valve provided in the middle of the bypass flow path. The pipe leakage according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pipe flow detection means for determining a flow in the pipe based on flow information signals from a plurality of individual flow rate measurement means provided downstream of the shutoff valve. Monitoring device. 3. The pipe leak monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising a pipe flow detecting means for determining a flow in the pipe based on operation information signals from a plurality of gas appliances provided downstream of the shutoff valve. . 3. The piping leak monitoring device according to claim 2, further comprising control means for opening the shut-off valve and stopping the leak determination when the pressure reducing valve is opened. The piping leak monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising control means for learning the pressure fluctuation of the downstream pressure detecting means and monitoring the leak during a time period when gas usage is minimized. The piping leak monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising control means for performing a leak determination a plurality of times and outputting a leak warning signal only when it is determined that the leak has occurred all times. The pipe leak monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , further comprising a control unit that performs a leak determination a plurality of times and outputs a leak warning signal when it is determined that the leak is one or more of the results. 4. A wireless communication system comprising: a first wireless communication unit for transmitting a flow information signal provided to each of the plurality of individual flow measurement units; and a second wireless communication for receiving a transmission signal from the first wireless communication unit. The pipe leakage monitoring device according to the above. The pipe leakage monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a pipe flow detecting means using the instantaneous flow rate measuring means. The pipe leakage monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a data transmission device that transmits a predetermined determination result obtained by the control unit.

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