EP2567737B1 - Device for balancing a fill level - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for balancing a level in a pressure vessel according to the preamble of the first claim.

The invention is suitable for pressure vessels for extinguishing agent with an extinguishing liquid, which is expelled by means of propellant gas from this container via a riser to extinguishing pipes.

Fire extinguishing systems of this type are known.

DE 100 48 544 A1 describes a stationary fire extinguishing system with combined startup and extinguishing line, consisting of an extinguishing agent container with an extinguishing liquid, lines for the extinguishing agent and a propellant gas container with a propellant, which discharges the extinguishing liquid from the extinguishing agent container in the line for the extinguishing agent. A compensating vessel does not show the extinguishing agent container, also no level indicator.

The commercial gas cylinders used in extinguishing technology have 99% of a single threaded connector according to eg DIN EN 629-1-25E.
By means of a suitable inner coating, such bottles can be converted into water storage bottles. Such water storage bottles are used in high-pressure water mist extinguishing systems.
The small neck of these water storage bottles as the only communication opening to the extinguishing medium represents a technical challenge for upgrade solutions, which could upgrade the water storage bottles for a comfortable operation of the extinguishing system. In the case of a comfortable operation of the extinguishing system, it is expected that the water reservoir can be controlled for shrinkage, and that the environmental thermal effects on the extinguishing water such as contraction and expansion can be absorbed loss-free.

As an extinguishing agent container, compressed gas cylinders used for gaseous extinguishing agents may find application. These bottles are internally provided with suitable coatings, and so it can be stored protected against corrosion extinguishing water, which is misted in the event of fire by suitable nozzles under high pressure for fire fighting.

Due to the variable environmental conditions of these systems, the ambient temperature affects the stored water volume-changing. Due to temperature changes is the stored water contracts, stretched. In addition, the water can evaporate under appropriate environmental conditions (eg at extinguishing pipes and open nozzles without valve to the extinguishing agent tank).

The state of the art is that pressure vessels are filled with liquid extinguishing agent without compensating vessel.

Therefore, the need to ensure the required amount of extinguishing water, or at least the reliable monitoring of the required amount of extinguishing water is essential.
A problem for the realization of a monitoring of such bottles is that these bottles have only a neck with threaded neck, which just allows the inclusion of a valve with riser.
Changes, however, to such gas cylinders, which are converted into water storage bottles and may possibly provide further connection options, eg for monitoring purposes, would cause a high cost for the operating licenses of compressed gas cylinders.
Another problem is that a level monitoring within the extinguishing agent pressure vessel (internal monitoring in pressure vessels) so far only with pressure-resistant components (operating pressures of up to several hundred bar) is performed. In addition to high costs, this is also associated with considerable technical effort to bring out the level information from the pressure vessel.

DE 100 47 594 A describes a method and apparatus for determining the liquid level of a liquid in a container. In order to achieve a reliable indication at the critical liquid points, it is dispensed with to continuously measure the level in the container over the entire range, instead electrodes are arranged in the container, with which level changes and limit values can be determined. This defines fill levels such as "full tank", "minimum tank level" and "empty tank". To compensate for a level of liquid in a reservoir for extinguishing agent and to document, this type of determination of the level is not suitable.

DE 36 13 906 A1 describes a device for monitoring the content of pressurized expansion vessels and the like, such as heating systems. The device has an expansion vessel, wherein the expansion of the liquid in the expansion vessel is indicated mechanically or electrically. At this Solution, the expansion vessel and the corresponding connecting parts on the same pressure resistance, which entails corresponding costs.
WO 01/66269 A1 describes a device for detecting and / or monitoring a predetermined fill level in a container, with which the instantaneous fill level in a container is detected by way of vibrations. Also, this device is not suitable to compensate for the level in a reservoir and measure. Also in this case, the monitoring components used must have the pressure resistance of the container.
DE 11 2004 000 270 T5 describes the measurement of volumes using pressure, wherein a container can be pressurized and sensors for measuring the pressure within the container are arranged. While the device is capable of determining a volume of fluid in the container, it is not capable of expanding it beyond the container boundary and then determining it. Also in this case, the monitoring components used must have the pressure resistance of the container.
DE-PS 846 303 describes a float-controlled monitoring device, in particular for expansion tanks of heating or cooling systems, in which below the float tank a three-way cock is arranged, with which the drop in the liquid level in the expansion tank is controllable.

CN 101 366 998 B describes a device for determining the level of a pressure vessel.
A solution according to which the extinguishing liquid is to be stored and monitored without pressure in a pressure vessel such as an extinguishing agent container with temperature fluctuations, is not known in the prior art.
It is therefore an object of the invention to develop a device with which an extinguishing liquid, which is acted upon by propellant, can be stored without pressure and monitored in a pressure vessel for extinguishing agent with temperature fluctuations.
This object is achieved by a device according to the features of the first claim.
Subclaims indicate advantageous solutions of the invention.

The inventive solution provides a device for balancing a level in a pressure vessel for extinguishing agent, which consists of the pressure vessel with the extinguishing agent, the extinguishing line, the propellant gas line with the propellant gas and the adapter of the pressure vessel and a surge tank with a shut-off between the expansion tank and the Pressure vessel.

The pressure vessel may be made of steel, aluminum, plastic, carbon fiber reinforced plastic or other suitable materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the pressure vessel may be a compressed gas cylinder used for gaseous extinguishing agent and having a suitable inner coating. The upper opening of the gas cylinder can be a threaded connection with a customary thread, for example according to DIN EN 629-1-25E. This threaded connector serves to receive an adapter.

The adapter provides a pressure-resistant, fluidic connection between the pressure vessel and the expansion tank with the shut-off device and the extinguishing line and optionally with the propellant gas line and optionally with other connections.

In a preferred embodiment, the adapter is a separate part. In a further advantageous embodiment, the adapter is integrated in or on the pressure vessel.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to arrange a tube on the adapter through which fluid can escape. This tube can be closed by a check valve. Advantageously, the check valve of the pipe should be above the level of the expansion tank or at least at the same level as the upper part or the upper edge of the expansion tank. The tube may e.g. be arranged vertically.

The direction of flow of the check valve is directed at pressure in the direction of the extinguishing agent tank. Without pressurization, the check valve is fluid-permeable in both directions.

Opposite the opening for the vertical tube with check valve, an opening for the propellant gas can be arranged on the adapter.

The expansion tank which is fluidly connected to the pressure vessel allows one hundred percent utilization of the pressure vessel volume in the filling with the extinguishing agent. The fill level is preferably after filling in the expansion tank. There, the filling level can optionally be visually monitored by transparent points on the expansion tank and / or a device for displaying and / or monitoring the level. The volume in the surge tank above the fill level is sized to accommodate temperature-related volume changes of the extinguishant.

Between compensating vessel and pressure vessel with extinguishing agent is a shut-off.

After filling, the system is idle. After triggering the extinguishing system (triggering state), the extinguishing agent in the pressure vessel is acted upon by propellant gas and the shut-off valve separates the fluidic connection between the expansion tank and the pressure vessel to depressurize the expansion tank.

It is advantageous if the expansion tank is a pipe between an upper part and a lower part, wherein the tube has a transparent wall. Through this transparent wall, the filling level can be visually and / or visually monitored and read. Upper and lower part can be connected to each other by fastening screws. Between upper part and tube and lower part and tube can be arranged a seal.

Other advantageous embodiments of the expansion tank may have any geometric shape, e.g. cubic or cuboid. The expansion tank can also be made of one piece or of two parts, the removable upper part and a part which forms the wall and the lower part. The visual or optical monitoring of the level

To determine the level in the expansion tank, it is advantageous to optionally arrange a device for displaying and / or monitoring the level. For this purpose, a float can be arranged. This can represent a level float switch, with which a signal is generated and passed on reaching a certain filling level of the extinguishing liquid. Fill level monitoring may be performed with a monitoring device, e.g. be connected to a fire alarm and / or control center.

The expansion tank has at least one opening for pressure equalization above the fill level. This is referred to below as the upper opening. This will help Equalizing tank permanently depressurised. This unpressurized state in the expansion tank is also ensured via the shut-off.

The at least one opening of the expansion tank can represent a hole which is suitable to carry out the pressure equalization above the filling level in the expansion tank. Other forms of opening are possible.

The obturator is a device for decoupling printing between the pressure vessel, which includes the extinguishing agent, and a arranged outside the pressure vessel expansion tank, which simultaneously or optionally means for displaying and monitoring the level in the pressure vessel. At rest, the obturator is open and there is a fluid connection between the pressure vessel and the expansion tank. The obturator separates this fluid connection when pressurized, for example by the propellant gas for spreading the extinguishing agent when the extinguishing system. This ensures that when pressurized the extinguishing agent from the extinguishing agent tank does not get into the expansion tank, but is expelled into the extinguishing pipe to the nozzle.

The obturator may be formed as a check valve, for. B. as a check valve or valve that is closed when pressurized, which usually comes from the propellant gas. The obturator can also be designed as a valve, which is externally controlled, for example by a fluid power drive or an electric drive. An electrical control or an electric drive is possible, for example via the fire alarm and / or extinguishing control panel.

The direction of flow of the obturator in the expression as a check valve is directed at pressure in the direction of the extinguishing agent container. Without pressurization the shut-off valves are in the expression as a check valves in both directions fluid-permeable.

The connections for introducing the propellant gas, for the fire-extinguishing water pipe and the vertical pipe can be formed as a connecting piece with a screw connection. The propellant gas from a separate container via lines to the adapter and through this and an annular gap in the extinguishing agent tank.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention consists in that a container connection for introducing the propellant gas is arranged on the pressure vessel for the extinguishing agent. With This container connection, it is possible to introduce the propellant gas directly into the pressure vessel on the extinguishing agent. This solution has the advantage that on the adapter side only a connection for the extinguishing pipe must be present, being arranged on the adapter of the expansion tank with the obturator. If the extinguishing pipe is led vertically upwards from its connection on the adapter, an equal fill level is established in the extinguishing pipe as in the equalizing tank.

If the extinguishing line is led away horizontally or downwards, a valve is to be arranged between the adapter and the connection for the extinguishing line and the extinguishing nozzles, which prevents the extinguishing agent from flowing into the extinguishing nozzles before an alarm is triggered.

The filling of the extinguishing agent tank can be done through the upper opening of the expansion tank and the check valve and the riser. During filling, the air from the extinguishing agent container escapes from the extinguishing agent container via an opening in the adapter, preferably via a pipe with a non-return valve into the atmosphere. The escape of air during filling can also be done via other suitable openings.

When the temperature rises, the extinguishing agent expands into the surge tank, the vertical pipe, if present, and the extinguishing pipe, as indicated by a transparent or semi-transparent wall of the surge tank and / or the float or a level float switch and its display.

In a further preferred embodiment, the expansion tank may consist of a nontransparent material and the visual level monitoring by the preferably vertical tube in a transparent or semi-transparent design.

In the event that the extinguishing liquid is to be expelled into the fire-extinguishing water, a propellant gas flows through a channel around the riser above the extinguishing liquid in the extinguishing agent tank and pushes the extinguishing agent via the riser, the adapter and the connection for the fire-extinguishing water and the extinguishing water to the extinguishing nozzles. The check valves are closed in the event of a sudden pressure load, so that the extinguishing agent can only leave the adapter in the direction of the connection for the extinguishing water line.

The solution according to the invention has the advantage that the extinguishing liquid acted upon in the release state by means of propellant can be depressurized in the operating state in the extinguishing agent container and monitored with a simple device. Furthermore, by using the volume in the expansion tank, a larger volume of extinguishing agent in the pressure vessel can be stored, being used for level measurement cost, non-pressure-resistant components outside the pressure vessel.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment and five figures.

Figur 1:

Druckbehälter mit Ausgleichsgefäß, Absperrorgan und Adapter mit Anschluss für das Treibgas, die Löschleitung und das vertikale Rohr in schematischer Darstellung.

Figur 2:

Druckbehälter mit Ausgleichsgefäß, Absperrorgan und Adapter mit Anschluss für die Löschleitung und einem Behälteranschluss für Treibgas am Druckbehälter in schematischer Darstellung.

Figur 3:

Darstellung von Figur 2 mit einer waagerechten Löschleitung und einem Ventil in derselben in schematischer Darstellung.

Figur 4:

Darstellung von Figur 3, wobei das Absperrorgan einen fluidtechnischen Antrieb aufweist.

Figur 5:

Darstellung von Figur 3, wobei das Absperrorgan einen elektrischen Antrieb aufweist.

The figures show:

FIG. 1:

Pressure vessel with expansion tank, shut-off device and adapter with connection for the propellant gas, the extinguishing pipe and the vertical pipe in a schematic representation.

FIG. 2:

Pressure vessel with expansion tank, obturator and adapter with connection for the extinguishing line and a tank connection for propellant gas at the pressure vessel in a schematic representation.

FIG. 3:

display of FIG. 2 with a horizontal extinguishing pipe and a valve in the same in a schematic representation.

FIG. 4:

display of FIG. 3 , wherein the obturator has a fluid power drive.

FIG. 5:

display of FIG. 3 wherein the obturator has an electric drive.

The FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the pressure vessel 1 with the extinguishing agent 6, wherein the threaded connector 2 is arranged on the pressure vessel into which the adapter 3 has been screwed. The adapter 3 has a riser 8, which leads into the pressure vessel 1 for the extinguishing agent 6. Furthermore, connections 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 for the connection for the propellant gas 31 for a vertical pipe 16 and for the extinguishing pipe 32 are arranged on the adapter 3. The threaded holes 15, 7 are used to attach the connections such as the connection of the obturator 9 or the connection of the riser 8. With a Tapped hole 5 and the expansion tank 30 is arranged on the obturator 9, which is a check valve. The equalizing vessel 30 consists of the upper part 11 and the lower part 10. Between the two parts 10, 11 a transparent wall 12 is arranged, through which the filling level 34 can be seen. Upper and lower parts 10, 11 are interconnected by a plurality of fastening screws 13 and sealed by seals 14 against the transparent wall 12. In the liquid, the extinguishing agent 6, in the expansion tank 30, a level monitoring device 18 is optionally arranged, which is connected to a monitoring device 35, in the present case a fire alarm or control center. Upon reaching or falling below a certain level level 34, a message or an interference signal can be generated.

The upper part 11 of the expansion tank 30 has at least one opening. This is designed as a bore. This ensures the pressure equalization above the filling level 34 in the expansion tank 30.

The filling of the extinguishing agent container takes place through the at least one upper opening 33 of the expansion tank, the check valve 9 and the riser 8 done. The air from the extinguishing agent tank escapes during filling from the extinguishing agent tank 1 above the liquid level 34 in the vertical pipe 16 through the check valve 17, in the expansion tank through the opening 33, which represents a bore, and in the discharge line 32 through the extinguishing nozzles, not shown are, so that the filling level 34 is in the same height in all three units (connected vessels) and is depressurized. The extinguishing liquid can be expanded without pressure over the pressure vessel 1 in the expansion tank 30 and monitored.

For then case that an alarm is triggered (triggering state), propellant gas 31 flows through the channel 19 to the riser 8 to the extinguishing agent 6 and drives it via the discharge line 32 to the extinguishing nozzles. The check valves 9 and 17 are closed when pressurized, so that no extinguishing water 6 can escape via this and the volume of the expansion tank 30 is kept without pressure.

The FIG. 2 shows the surge tank with level monitoring for a pressure vessel 1, to which a container port 36 is arranged to introduce propellant gas 31 via the LPG 37, so that the propellant 31, the extinguishing agent 6 directly through the riser 8 and the adapter 3 in the discharge line 32 to the Extinguishing nozzles. The adapter 3 has in the present case a threaded bore 15 for receiving the obturator 9 and a port 4.4 for the extinguishing pipe 32 and a threaded hole 7 for receiving the riser. 8

The FIG. 3 shows essentially the same representation as the FIG. 2 , Wherein the extinguishing pipe 32 does not lead vertically upwards to the extinguishing nozzles, but horizontally. Thus, the extinguishing agent 6 can not drain through horizontal extinguishing pipe 32, a check valve is disposed in the discharge line 32, which opens only when an alarm is triggered and the propellant gas 31 expels the extinguishing agent 6 from the pressure vessel 1.

The FIG. 4 shows a similar representation as FIG. 3 , wherein the obturator 9 is driven by a fluid power drive 38. In the present case, the fluid power drive 38 is controlled by the propellant gas 31 in the propellant gas line 37, so that upon supply of the propellant gas, the obturator 9 is closed to the expansion tank 30 while the shut-off valve is opened in the discharge line 32, so that the extinguishing agent 6 to the Extinguishing nozzles can be expelled.

The FIG. 5 shows a solution according to which the obturator 9 is closed by an electric drive 39 as soon as an alarm signal is triggered via the fire alarm panel and the propellant gas 31 flows through the LPG 37 into the pressure vessel 1 and the extinguishing agent 6 via the discharge line 32 to the extinguishing nozzles ,

List of reference numbers used

1

Pressure vessel for extinguishing agent

2

threaded connector

3

adapter

4.1

Connection for check valve (shut-off device)

4.2

Connection for introducing propellant gas (nozzle)

4.3

Connection for vertical pipe (pressure compensation pipe)

4.4

Connection for extinguishing line

5

Threaded hole for connecting the obturator 9

6

extinguishing Media

7

Threaded hole for receiving the riser 8

8th

riser

9

shutoff

10

lower part

11

top

12

Transparent wall

13

fixing screw

14

poetry

15

Threaded hole for receiving the obturator 9

16

Vertical pipe (pressure compensation pipe)

17

check valve

18

level monitoring

19

Channel around the riser 8

30

expansion tank

31

propellant

32

erase line

33

Opening in 11, for example, bore

34

Filling level / filling level

35

Monitoring device, e.g. Fire alarm control panel or extinguishing control panel

36

Tank connection for introducing propellant gas

37

LPG line

38

Fluid power drive

39

Electric drive

Claims (12)

1. A device for equalizing a filling level (34) in a pressure vessel (1) for extinguishant, consisting of the pressure vessel (1) with the extinguishant (6), the extinguishing line (32), the propellant line (37) with the propellant (31) and the adapter (3) of the pressure vessel (1),
   characterized by
   an equalizing tank (30) and a cut-off member (9) between the equalizing tank (30) and the pressure vessel (1), wherein
   in the triggering state the cut-off member (9) automatically separates the fluidic connection between the pressure vessel and the equalizing tank when pressurizing using the propellant (31).
2. The device according to Claim 1, characterized in that at or in the equalizing tank (30) there is arranged a device for displaying and for monitoring the filling level (34).
3. The device according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the equalizing tank (30) exhibits a transparent wall (12) or a partly transparent wall.
4. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the equalizing tank (30) there is arranged a float with filling-level monitoring (18).
5. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the filling-level monitoring (18) is connected to a monitoring device (35) such as a fire detection panel and/or extinguishing control panel.
6. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a non-return valve is arranged as the cut-off member (9).
7. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the cut-off member (9) is controlled by a fluid or/and an electric drive (38, 39).
8. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that there is arranged between the pressure vessel (1) and the equalizing tank (30) an adapter (3) having a riser (8) and at least one port (4.4) for an extinguishing line (32).
9. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that there is arranged at the adapter (3) a pipe (16) that is closed by a non-return valve (17) and the non-return valve (17) is positioned above the level of the equalizing vessel or at least at the same level as the top part or the top edge of the equalizing vessel.
10. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a port (4.2) for a propellant line (37) is arranged at the adapter (3).
11. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a vessel port (36) for introducing a propellant (31) is arranged at the pressure vessel (1).
12. The device according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least one opening (33) is fitted in the equalizing tank (30) above the filling level (34).

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