EP3327689B1 - Filter device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filter component for a pipe system for a suction pipe system for gaseous media that is used in an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system.

Aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring systems are generally known from fire protection technology and are used, for example, to detect incipient fires, to monitor the air quality or to monitor the air composition, for example the oxygen content, in an enclosed space. Such aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring systems generally have at least one detection unit or at least one sensor for detecting a fire parameter and / or for monitoring at least one parameter characterizing the air quality or air composition as well as a pipe system serving as a feed line, via which the at least Ambient air samples can be fed to a detection unit.

Aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring systems of this type are often used for the earliest possible detection of fires as early as their development phase. They are then also called smoke aspiration systems, aspirating smoke detectors or active detectors, for example. Typical areas of application are either rooms with high-quality or important facilities, such as rooms with IT systems in banks, insurance companies or data centers, or the IT systems themselves. For this purpose, representative partial quantities are constantly taken from the room air or the device cooling air and transferred over at least one pipe system serving as a feed line is fed to the detection unit of the aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system for detecting a fire parameter. The negative pressure required for air sampling is usually supplied via a suction unit, e.g. generates a fan.

The term "pipe system" used here is preferably, but not exclusively, pipes designed as feed lines, which are fastened under the ceiling for room protection, for example, and to an air inlet opening in the housing of the detector belonging to the aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system lead, and which suck in the room or device cooling air through suction openings which are provided in the pipe system. In the case of aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring systems that are intended for room protection and in which the pipe system serving as a supply line preferably consists of one or more pipelines, the suction openings in the pipelines are preferably arranged at regular intervals. The tubes can be made of metal or plastic, for example. The pipe system does not necessarily have to comprise rigid pipes, but can also be formed at least partially from hose lines.

The term "fire parameter" refers to physical quantities that are subject to measurable changes in the vicinity of an incipient fire. Examples of this are the ambient temperature, solid, liquid or gas proportions in the ambient air (formation of smoke particles, gases or aerosols) or the ambient radiation. Smoke particles can be detected with scattered light or transmitted light sensors and smoke gases with chemical sensors.

“Air monitoring” can be understood to mean, for example, the monitoring of the air quality or the air composition. For example, chemical sensors can be used to analyze the oxygen content of the air in the monitored room. This monitoring is particularly relevant in connection with fire prevention and fire fighting systems that proactively reduce the risk of a fire, for example by introducing inert gas or nitrogen-enriched air, or reactively extinguish a fire that has occurred, with the oxygen content in the protected area for the safety of people present and for regulating the gas flow must be continuously monitored.

An aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system is highly dependent on the maintenance of the air flow, which is generated as the suction force by an intake unit, for example a fan. Air flow sensors permanently monitor the pipe system for breaks and blockages. In order to ensure the maintenance of this air flow, regular cleaning and / or maintenance of the pipe system is necessary in order to avoid fluctuations in the air flow to be supplied to the detection unit of the aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system and in particular a gradual decrease in the air flow due to contamination, moisture, etc. prevent. In practice, such cleaning usually takes place by blowing the pipes free, that is, a compressed air source is connected to the pipe system and one or more pressure pulses drive the dirt and water particles out of the pipe system. The connection between the pipe system and the detection unit must first be blocked because the mechanically sensitive detection unit could be damaged by the pressure pulse.

Disadvantages of the conventional blowing-out devices according to the prior art are the increased installation effort, for example due to the installation of a blowing-out valve or the installation of 3-way ball valves to shut off the connection to the detection unit, and the associated costs.

The EP 0 476 546 A1 relates to a three-way backwash filter valve which is designed in the manner of a manually operated valve. The three-way valve can be used in a conventional pipeline system and comprises a valve body which has three connections A, B and C configured as inlet and outlet passages and a cavity K. connected to the connection in terms of flow. A spherical valve core with an L-shaped passage sits inside the valve body and is rotatably mounted relative to the valve body via upper and lower bearing journals. The bearing journals are arranged within bores, the bores penetrating the valve body and a valve cover plate. A cylindrical filter element is also fitted into a leg E of the L-shaped passage. By turning a handle arranged on the cover plate, which is connected to the valve core via a square shaft, four different flow paths can be set by turning the L-shaped passage. In a flow mode in which the valve is set in such a way that a medium flows from passage A to passage B, contaminants contained in the medium are retained by the filter element. In order to remove the contamination and to clean the filter element, it can be subjected to backwashing in a further position in which passages A and C are connected to one another in terms of flow.

Also from the GB 16460 A a three-way valve combined with a filter is known. A housing of the tap comprises three openings g, h, j; Inside the housing, a hollow plug is rotatably arranged, which is provided with corresponding recesses b, c and d. In the respective position of the hollow plug, either a flow connection between the openings h and g, in which a liquid passes the filter, can be established, or the opposite openings h and j are flow connected to one another to create the space separated by the filter in this position to free from the dirt accumulated there during the filtration. A stuffing box is provided as a valve packing to seal the valve. The object of the invention is therefore to simplify the maintenance of the pipe system, to reduce the components required for this and the associated costs.

The object on which the present invention is based is achieved according to the invention by a filter component according to the independent patent claim 1, by a pipe system according to the dependent patent claim 6 or by a method for maintaining and / or cleaning a pipe system according to the independent patent claim 7 solved.

Accordingly, a filter component or air guide component for a pipe system for a suction or suction pipe system for gaseous media used in an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system is proposed, this air guide component having a housing with a gas inlet and a gas outlet. The gas inlet and the gas outlet of the housing are flow-connected or connectable to the pipe system in order to form a flow path in the interior of the housing that runs from the gas inlet to the gas outlet. According to the invention, the air guiding component furthermore has a connection area in order to connect the interior of the housing to a maintenance / cleaning device in terms of flow as required or optionally. The fluidic connection of the interior of the housing to a maintenance / cleaning device includes, in particular, the connection of an auxiliary pipe system, hose system or similar line assigned to a maintenance / cleaning device to the maintenance / cleaning device.

The maintenance / cleaning device comprises, for example, a vacuum or positive pressure source for cleaning the pipe system. A compressed air tank, for example, can be used as the overpressure source; in the simplest variant, a vacuum cleaner or, for example, a vacuum pump can also be provided as the underpressure source. A particularly simple and effective cleaning of the pipe system can be carried out with a vacuum cleaner; in addition, loosened dirt particles are collected in a vacuum cleaner container and are not released into the environment through openings in the pipe system, as is the case with blowing out.

The use of the maintenance / cleaning device is not restricted to cleaning. For example, the maintenance device can also include a test gas source for introducing a test gas to test the function of the pipe or suction system or the detection unit.

The term "air guiding component" used herein is generally to be understood as a component through which the air flow drawn in via the pipe system flows at least in some areas in a normal operating mode of the air guiding component or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system. According to the invention, a filter component can be used as the air guide component. It is essential here that the air guide component has a housing with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, the gas inlet and the gas outlet of the housing in the normal operating mode of the air guide component or the fire detection and / or the air monitoring system are fluidly connected or connectable to the pipe system in order to form a flow path in the interior of the housing that runs from the gas inlet to the gas outlet.

The air guiding component according to the invention also has a connection area via which the interior of the housing can be flow-connected to a maintenance or cleaning device, as required or optionally.

For example, it is conceivable in this context, in a maintenance / cleaning mode of operation of the air guiding component or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system, to connect this flow-wise to the maintenance / cleaning device via the connecting area of the air guiding component, so that then, for example, cleaning compressed air via the connecting area can be fed to the pipe system. Alternatively or additionally, however, it is also conceivable to connect a maintenance / cleaning device to the connection area in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system, with air and any liquid being used via a negative pressure or vacuum source - and solid particles can be extracted from the pipe system.

The advantage that arises with the air guide component according to the invention is obvious: By using an air guide component already present in the pipe system for the purpose of maintenance or cleaning, in order to supply compressed air for cleaning to the pipe system or to suck air out of the pipe system Maintenance or cleaning purposes are no longer required to provide an additional interface, for example via a 3-way ball valve, in the pipe system.

In other words, according to the invention, the air guide component has a double function: In the normal operating mode of the air guide component or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system, the air guide component takes on its usual function, such as the filtration of the gas flow sucked in or out via the pipe system while in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component or of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system, the air guiding component forms the interface to the maintenance / cleaning device.

According to the invention, the connection area has a connection provided in or on a wall area of the housing of the air guiding component, via which the interior of the housing is connected to the maintenance / cleaning device (in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding element or the fire detection and / or or Air monitoring system) can be connected in terms of flow. In this context it is conceivable, for example, if the wall area in or on which the connection is provided is designed as an integral part of the housing of the air guiding component and is firmly connected to it.

The connection can be, for example, a threaded connection that is closed with a closure cap when no maintenance / cleaning device is connected. The connection can also be, for example, a conical quick-release coupling connection with a gate valve for the optional opening, reducing and closing of the connection to the interior of the housing of the air-guiding component. With a quick coupling, the connection to the maintenance / cleaning device can be established quickly, so that maintenance work can be accelerated.

According to the invention, the wall area in or on which the connection is provided is designed as a wall area of a first component detachably connected or connectable to the housing, in particular via a quick-release fastener, the wall area of this first component being designed to close a housing opening provided in the housing . This housing opening is, for example, a closable service opening or similar opening, via which, if necessary, at least partial access to the interior of the housing can be granted.

In a conceivable development of the invention it is provided that this first component detachably connected or connectable to the housing is exchangeable with a second component which has a wall area without a connection and is also detachably connected to the housing if necessary. This second component is preferably designed in such a way that, in a state in which the second component is connected to the housing, it closes the housing opening (for example service opening) provided in the housing. It is advisable here for the second component - with the exception of the connection provided for the first component - to be designed at least essentially identical to the first component. This would have the advantage that the second component or the wall area of the second component can be connected via the same fastening means with which the wall area of the first component can be detachably connected to the housing of the air guiding component. A quick-release fastener can be used as a connecting means. In other words, the first component can, for example, be a housing cover with a connection opening or a connection, for example a pipe or Hose connection, and imagine the second component as a continuously closed housing cover without such a connection opening or such a connection.

According to embodiments of the present invention, it is provided that a closure part is assigned to the connection in order to reduce, as required or optionally, an effective flow cross section of a flow connection between the housing interior and the maintenance / cleaning device that can be realized via the connection, or as required or optionally via the Connection to separate realizable flow connection between the housing interior and the maintenance / cleaning device.

In this context, it is conceivable, for example, for the connection of the connection area of the air guiding component to be designed as a connection piece or the like, the closure part associated with the connection being designed as a valve or a protective cap. Of course, other embodiments for the connection and / or the closure part assigned to the connection are also possible here.

According to the present invention, at least one shut-off element is assigned to the gas inlet of the housing of the air guiding component in order to separate a flow connection between the pipe system and the interior of the housing that can be realized via the gas inlet as required. As an alternative or in addition to this, it is conceivable for at least one shut-off element to be assigned to the gas outlet of the housing of the air guiding component in order to separate a flow connection between the housing interior and the pipe system that can be realized via the gas outlet as required or as desired.

By providing at least one shut-off element, which is assigned to the gas inlet and / or the gas outlet of the housing of the air guiding component, it is possible in an easy to implement, but nevertheless effective manner, in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component or the Fire detection and / or Air monitoring system partial areas of the pipe system to separate flow-wise from the interior of the housing of the air guide component and thus the maintenance / cleaning device, which is necessary and necessary, for example, if there are sensible components in the pipe system or connected to the pipe system in terms of flow, such as sensors, detectors or also other components, in the maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system, should not be subjected to pressure pulses or placed under negative pressure. In other cases, for example when testing the function of sensors or detectors with a test gas, another part of the pipe system that is not connected to the sensors or detectors can be blocked. If the connections between the air guide component and the pipe system are completely separated, only one filter contained in the air guide component can, for example, be cleaned, for example sucked out.

According to conceivable implementations of the invention, it is provided that the housing of the air guiding component has at least one opening assigned to the at least one shut-off element, through which the at least one shut-off element can be inserted at least in some areas in order to, if necessary or optionally, provide a through the gas outlet or the gas inlet of the housing of the To separate air guide component realizable flow connection between the housing interior and the pipe system. The openings assigned to at least one shut-off element can be closed, for example, with sealing lips or a displaceable cover. Of course, other embodiments of shut-off elements for separating the flow connection that can be realized via the gas outlet or gas inlet are also possible.

According to the invention, the housing is designed from the air guide component to receive at least one filter element, preferably exchangeably, in its housing interior. The at least one filter element can be received in the housing interior in such a way that in a normal operating mode of the air guiding component or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system of the gas inlet of the

Air guide component to the gas outlet of the air guide component running flow path at least partially runs through the at least one filter element received in the housing interior. In other words, in the normal operating mode of the air guide component or the pipe system, the air guide component has the function of an air filter.

If, on the other hand, in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component or the pipe system, the pipe system that is fluidly connected or connectable to the gas inlet and / or the gas outlet of the air guiding component is to be cleaned and / or serviced, the at least one filter element can optionally be removed from the interior of the housing will. In this way, the air resistance of the interior of the housing of the air guiding component can be reduced in the maintenance / cleaning operating mode.

In this context, it is conceivable if, at the same time, in the maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component, an effective flow cross section of a flow connection that can be realized via the gas outlet of the air guiding component is reduced or a flow connection that can be realized via the gas outlet of the air guiding component is disconnected. As an alternative to this, it is nevertheless conceivable that, at the same time, in the maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component, an effective flow cross section of a flow connection that can be realized via the gas inlet of the air guiding component is reduced or a flow connection that can be realized via the gas inlet is disconnected.

According to embodiments of the air guiding component according to the invention, it has the function of a distribution or collecting pipe in its normal operating mode, the housing of the air guiding component being designed as a distribution or collecting pipe housing. In such embodiments, several gas inlets and / or gas outlets can also be provided, which can be completely or partially closed with one or more shut-off elements as required or optionally. In the normal operating mode of the air guide component, the flow path running from the at least one gas inlet of the air guide component to the at least one gas outlet of the air guide component then runs at least partially through the interior of the housing of the air guide component.

In a maintenance / cleaning operating mode of the air guiding component or the pipe system, on the other hand, that is to say in an operating mode in which the pipe system and / or the air guiding component that is flow-connected or connectable to the at least one gas inlet and / or the at least one gas outlet of the air guiding component is closed is to be cleaned and / or serviced, the interior of the housing is fluidly connected or connectable to the servicing / cleaning device.

In this context, it is conceivable if at the same time an effective flow cross section of a flow connection that can be realized via the at least one gas outlet of the air guiding component is reduced or a flow connection that can be realized via the gas outlet of the air guiding component is disconnected. As an alternative to this, it is conceivable that at the same time an effective flow cross-section of a flow connection that can be realized via the gas inlet is reduced or that a flow connection that can be realized via the gas inlet is separated.

The invention relates not only to an air guiding component according to the aspects described above, but also to a pipe system, in particular an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system, with this pipe system being assigned at least one air guiding component of the type according to the invention.

According to further aspects, but not according to the invention, a kit for cleaning and / or maintenance of a pipe system, in particular for cleaning and / or maintenance of an intake pipe system for gaseous media, which is preferably used in an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system, is also provided. The kit has an adapter part for an air guide component and a maintenance / cleaning device. The air guide component has a housing with a gas inlet and a gas outlet, wherein in a normal operating mode of the air guide component, the gas inlet and the gas outlet are fluidly connected or connectable to the pipe system in order to form a flow path inside the housing from the gas inlet to the gas outlet.

The housing of the air guiding component has at least one wall area which is designed as a second component that is detachably connected or connectable to the housing of the air guiding component, in particular by means of a quick-release fastener. The wall area is designed to close a housing opening provided in the housing in the normal operating mode of the air guiding component, the housing opening provided in the housing being, in particular, a closable service opening through which, if necessary, at least partial access to the interior of the air guiding component can be granted . The first and second components are each designed as a housing cover, for example.

The adapter part belonging to the kit is preferably designed as a first component and designed to cover and in particular to close the housing opening instead of the second component, as required or optionally. The adapter part designed as the first component preferably has a connection via which, as required or Optionally, the interior of the housing of the air guiding component is fluidly connected or connectable to a maintenance / cleaning device if, instead of the second component, the adapter part designed as the first component covers and, in particular, closes the housing opening of the air guiding component.

In the kit, it is provided in particular that the second component and / or the adapter part designed as a first component are / is preferably releasably connected or connectable to the housing of the air guiding component, in particular with the aid of a quick-release device. In one embodiment, the adapter part has one or two spring clips as a quick-release fastener, which are stretched around another housing section of the air guiding component, for example around the connections to the adjacent pipes, thereby creating a releasable clamping connection between the housing cover and the housing of the air guiding component. In this way, a particularly simple and quick attachment is achieved.

In embodiments of the kit, it is provided that the connection is assigned a closure part in order to reduce, as required or optionally, an effective flow cross section of a flow connection that can be realized via the connection between the interior of the housing of the air guiding component and the maintenance / cleaning device, or to reduce as required or optionally to separate a flow connection between the interior of the housing of the air guiding component and the maintenance / cleaning device that can be realized via the connection if, instead of the second component designed as a housing cover, the adapter part designed as the first component covers and in particular closes the housing opening of the air guiding component.

As an alternative or in addition to this, it is conceivable if the adapter part designed as a first component has a shut-off element which is designed to interact with the gas inlet of the housing of the air guide component in such a way that an effective flow cross-section of a flow connection between the pipe system and the air guide component that can be realized via the gas inlet of the air guide component the interior of the housing is at least partially reduced if, instead of the second component, the adapter part designed as the first component covers and in particular closes the housing opening of the air guide component.

Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition to this, it is conceivable if the adapter part designed as a first component has a shut-off element which is designed to interact with the gas outlet of the air guiding component in such a way that an effective flow cross-section of a flow that can be realized via the gas outlet Connection between the interior of the housing of the air guiding component and the pipe system is at least reduced if, instead of the second component, the adapter part designed as a first component covers and in particular closes the housing opening.

The dimensions of the adapter part can be adapted to the most varied of air guide components or can be provided in different sizes or dimensions in order to increase the possible uses of the adapter part for air guide components that have already been installed and of different dimensions.

The connection of the adapter part can, for example, be a threaded connection or, for example, a conical quick-release coupling connection with a gate valve for the optional opening and closing of the connection to the air guide component.

The maintenance / cleaning device belonging to the kit comprises, for example, a vacuum or positive pressure source for cleaning the pipe system. A compressed air tank or compressor, for example, can be used as the overpressure source; in the simplest variant, a vacuum cleaner or, for example, a vacuum pump can also be provided as the underpressure source. A particularly simple and effective cleaning of the pipe system can be carried out with a vacuum cleaner; in addition, loosened dirt particles are collected in a vacuum cleaner container and are not released into the environment through openings in the pipe system, as is the case with blowing out. The maintenance / cleaning device belonging to the kit according to the invention can also optionally have an auxiliary pipe system, hose system or another line for connecting the maintenance / cleaning device to a connection of the adapter part.

Finally, the invention also relates to a method for maintaining and / or cleaning a pipe system according to the independent patent claim 7.

Accordingly, the invention thus also relates to a method for maintaining and / or cleaning a pipe system of an intake pipe system for gaseous media used in an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system, this pipe system being a filter component according to one of the embodiments described above with a housing, a Has gas inlet and a gas outlet, and wherein in a normal operating mode of the air guiding component or of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system, the gas inlet and the gas outlet of the air guiding component are fluidly connected or connectable to the pipe system in order to have one of the gas inlet inside the air guiding component Form gas outlet extending flow path.

In the method according to the invention, it is provided that the normal operating mode of the air guiding component can be converted into a maintenance / cleaning operating mode in which the interior of the housing of the air guiding component is fluidly connected or connectable to a maintenance / cleaning device. In this maintenance / cleaning operating mode, air, in particular compressed air for cleaning, can then be supplied to the interior of the housing as required. As an alternative to this, however, it is also conceivable to suck air and any liquid and solid particles from the interior of the housing in the maintenance / cleaning operating mode.

According to embodiments of the method according to the invention, it is provided that, in order to transfer the normal operating mode of the air guiding component to the maintenance / cleaning operating mode, the housing of the air guiding component is opened, the housing opening then being covered with an adapter part having a connection and being closed at least in some areas, and wherein then the connection of the adapter part is fluidly connected to the maintenance / cleaning device in order to blow air, in particular cleaning compressed air, into the interior of the housing or to suck air out of the interior of the housing, if necessary.

In this context, it is conceivable if the connection is preferably assigned a closure part in order to reduce, as required or optionally, an effective flow cross section of a flow connection between the housing interior and the maintenance / cleaning device that can be realized via the connection, or to reduce, if necessary or optionally, a to separate the fluidic connection between the housing interior and the maintenance / cleaning device that can be realized via the connection.

At least one shut-off element is assigned to the gas inlet in order to separate a flow connection between the pipe system and the interior of the housing that can be realized via the gas inlet of the air guiding component, if required.

Furthermore, as an alternative or in addition to this, it can be provided that at least one shut-off element is assigned to the gas outlet of the air guiding component, in order to separate a flow connection that can be realized via the gas outlet between the interior of the housing of the air guide component and the pipe system, as required or optionally.

In other words, the invention also relates to a method for operating an intake system for active fire detection and / or air monitoring, with a normal operating mode corresponding to a fire detection and / or air monitoring mode and a maintenance / cleaning operating mode. In the normal operating mode, air samples are sent to the detection unit via the pipe system and examined for fire parameters, air quality parameters or the air composition. In this mode, the air guide component fulfills its original function, for example as a filter component. In the maintenance / cleaning operating mode, the air guide component is connected to a maintenance / cleaning device, for example an overpressure source for blowing out the pipe system, a negative pressure source for sucking out the pipe system or with a test gas source for testing the function of the pipe or suction system or the Detection unit. After the maintenance work has been completed, the air guide component is again separated from the maintenance / cleaning device. The connection of the air guide component to the maintenance / cleaning device can be established with the aid of a connection fixedly arranged on the air guide component or with the aid of an adapter part with a connection.

Depending on the type of maintenance work, the maintenance / cleaning operating mode includes further process steps, for example, in the case of cleaning, the separation of the detection unit from the pipe system to protect against damage. If necessary, parts of the air guide component can be removed in further process steps, for example a filter can be removed from the air guide component in order to be able to allow a cleaning air flow to flow unhindered through the air guide component and the pipe system.

In summary, it can therefore be stated that the invention makes it possible to use components located in a pipe system, in particular in a pipe system of an intake system for active fire detection and / or air monitoring, as a connection to the pipe system for performing maintenance work, so that additional valves, ball valves , etc. can be saved. This reduces installation work and installation costs, and maintenance work can be carried out more quickly.

FIG. 1

schematisch eine erste exemplarische Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Filterbauteils bzw. Luftleitbauteils mit einem angrenzenden Rohrsystem;

FIG. 2

schematisch und in einer isometrischen Darstellung eine zweite exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Luftleitbauteils mit einer als Adapterteil ausgeführten ersten Komponente;

FIGS. 3 bis 5

jeweils schematisch und in einer isometrischen Darstellung die zweite exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Luftleitbauteils mit einer als Adapterteil ausgeführten ersten Komponente und einem Schnellverschluss;

FIGS. 6 und 7

schematisch und jeweils in einer isometrischen Darstellung eine als Adapterteil ausgeführte erste Komponente ohne Luftleitbauteil;

FIG.8

schematisch die zweite exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Luftleitbauteils in einem normalen Betriebsmodus;

FIG.9

schematisch die zweite exemplarische Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Luftleitbauteils in einem Wartungs-/Reinigungs-Betriebsmodus;

FIG. 10

ein Zustandsdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Warten und/oder Reinigen eines Rohrsystems;

FIG. 11

ein Ablaufdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zum Warten und/oder Reinigen eines Rohrsystems;

FIG. 12

schematisch eine exemplarische Ausführungsform eines aspirativen Branderkennungs- und/oder Luftüberwachungssystems mit einem Rohrsystem sowie einer exemplarischen Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Luftleitbauteils.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to drawings. The drawings show in:

FIG. 1

schematically a first exemplary embodiment of a filter component or air guide component according to the invention with an adjacent pipe system;

FIG. 2

schematically and in an isometric representation, a second exemplary embodiment of the air guiding component according to the invention with a first component designed as an adapter part;

FIGS. 3 to 5

each schematically and in an isometric representation the second exemplary embodiment of the air guide component according to the invention with a first component designed as an adapter part and a quick-release fastener;

FIGS. 6 and 7

schematically and in each case in an isometric representation, a first component designed as an adapter part without an air guide component;

FIG.8

schematically the second exemplary embodiment of the air guide component according to the invention in a normal operating mode;

FIG.9

schematically the second exemplary embodiment of the air guide component according to the invention in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode;

FIG. 10

a state diagram of the method according to the invention for maintaining and / or cleaning a pipe system;

FIG. 11

a flow chart of the inventive method for maintaining and / or cleaning a pipe system;

FIG. 12

schematically an exemplary embodiment of an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system with a pipe system and an exemplary embodiment of the air guide component according to the invention.

The structure and mode of operation of the air guiding component 1 and of the first component 10 designed as an adapter part are explained below and with reference to the illustrations in FIG FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 described in more detail.

Briefly summarized, the air guide component 1 has a housing 7 with a gas inlet 12a and a gas outlet 12b, the gas inlet 12a and the gas outlet 12b being connected or connectable in terms of flow to a pipe system assigned to the air guide component 1 and consisting of tubes 2, 3 in the figures, so as to form a flow path in the interior of the housing that extends from the gas inlet 12a to the gas outlet 12b.

In addition, a connection area is assigned to the air guide component 1 in order to connect the interior of the housing of the air guide component 1 to a maintenance / cleaning device 22 in terms of flow as required or as an option.

It is advisable here for the connection area to have a connection 6 provided in or on a wall area 11 of the housing 7 of the air guiding component 1, via which the interior of the housing can be flow-connected to the maintenance / cleaning device 22 as required or optionally.

In an embodiment not according to the invention, it is conceivable that the wall area 11, in or on which the connection 6 is provided, is designed as an integral part of the housing 7 and is permanently connected to it.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, however, it is provided that the wall area 11, in or on which the connection 6 is provided, is a wall area 11 of a first, designed as an adapter part, which is detachably connected or connectable to the housing 7 via preferably a quick-release fastener Component 10 is executed. As described below with particular reference to FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 will be described in more detail, the wall area 11 of the first component 10 can be designed to close a housing opening provided in the housing 7.

In detail shows FIG. 1 a first exemplary embodiment of the air guiding component 1 according to the invention, which is fluidly connected on two sides to a pipe 2, 3 of a pipe system, for example a pipe system of an intake system for active fire detection and / or air monitoring. An air flow is guided through the pipe 3, the air guiding component 1 and the pipe 2 from a space to be monitored, not shown, to a detection unit 4, for example with the aid of a suction unit, not shown. In the detection unit 4, the sucked air flow is examined for fire parameters, for example smoke particles or combustion gases, air quality parameters or the air composition.

The air guiding component 1 is designed as a filter component in this and the following exemplary embodiments. The air guide component 1 contains a filter insert 5 for the pre-filtering of coarse dirt particles from the air flow. In order to carry out maintenance work on the pipe system, for example to clean the pipe system or to introduce a test gas to test the function of the pipe or suction system or the detection unit 4, the housing 7 of the air guide component 1 has in Figure 1 an integral connection 6 fixedly connected to the housing 7. Via the connection 6, the air guiding component 1 with a, for example, in Fig. 9 shown maintenance / cleaning device 22 such as a positive or negative pressure source or a test gas source, so that there is a flow connection between the maintenance / cleaning device 22 and the pipe system.

The housing 7 of the air guide component 1 has, for example, openings 8 that can be closed with a cover (not shown) for the optional insertion of shut-off elements in order to interrupt the flow connection of the air guide component 1 to the pipe 2 or pipe 3 or both pipes 2, 3 during the maintenance / cleaning work can. The shut-off elements are, for example, simple shut-off plates which are optionally provided with a circumferential seal and can thereby effect a simple but reliable separation of the connection to the adjacent pipe 2, 3. Guides 9 are provided for inserting and holding the shut-off elements.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of the air guide component 1 according to the invention with a first component 10 designed as an adapter part, which in this exemplary embodiment is designed as a detachable housing cover for an air guide component 1. The air guiding component 1 comprises a housing 7, which consists of the basic housing 13 and cover housing 14 components that are detachable from one another. The basic housing 13 comprises a gas inlet 12a and a gas outlet 12b for connection to pipes 2, 3 of a pipe system, for example an intake system for active fire detection and / or air monitoring. The air guide component 1 can also, for example, an in FIG. 1 Filter insert 5 shown included. The first component 10, designed as an adapter part, comprises the cover housing 14, a connection 6, connecting means 15 and a permanently connected shut-off element 16. The cover housing 14 is designed to match the base housing 13 of the air guiding component 1 and closes it when the base housing 13 is connected to the cover housing 14. The connection 6 is a passage in the cover housing 14 and, for example, with a thread for connecting the connection 6 to a maintenance / cleaning device 22 or to a maintenance / cleaning device 22 of this type, in Fig. 9 Line 23 shown is provided. The connecting means 15 are used to releasably connect the cover housing 14 with the Base housing 13 of the air guide component 1 and are designed as screws in this figure. The shut-off element 16 is a shut-off plate that is firmly connected to the cover housing 14 and blocks the flow connection of the air guiding component 1 to an adjacent pipe. Depending on the orientation in which the cover housing 14 is connected to the base housing 13, either the gas inlet 12a or the gas outlet 12b can be closed with the shut-off element 16. As a result, during a cleaning process, for example, the flow connection to a mechanically sensitive detection unit 4 can be interrupted during cleaning in order to protect the detection unit 4 from damage.

The Figures 3 to 5 show the second exemplary embodiment of the air guide component 2 according to the invention with a first component 10 configured as an adapter part and connecting means 15 configured here as a quick-release fastener, which, in contrast to FIG FIG. 2 The variant shown enables a faster connection of the cover housing 14 of the first component 10 designed as an adapter part to the base housing 13 of the air guide component 1. Instead of the in FIG. 2 Screw connection shown a clamp connection between cover housing 14 and base housing 13 is used. The clamping connection is produced with connecting means 15, which are designed here as spring clips and which are each stretched between a projection of the cover housing 14 and a projection of the base housing 13. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a protruding screw 17 is used as the protrusion of the cover housing 14 and a pipe connection 18 is used as the protrusion of the basic housing 13. As a result of the bracing, a detachable and yet reliable connection of the first component 10 to the air guiding component 1 can be realized in a very short time. Also in the Figures 3 to 5 connecting means 19, in this case screws, which are fastened to the first component 10 in the Figures 6 and 7th Fix the apparent shut-off element 16.

The Figures 6 and 7th show the first component 10 embodied as an adapter part with a quick-release fastener embodied as a spring clip when the connection to the air guide component 1 is released. In these representations, the shut-off element 16 firmly connected to the first component 10 with a circumferential seal 20 can be seen, which ensures a reliable and tight seal Closure of the air guide component 1 ensures against an adjacent pipe connection.

The Figures 8 and 9 serve to understand the method according to the invention for operating an in Fig. 12 fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 shown in an in Fig. 10 normal operating mode 24 shown and in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26.

FIG. 8th shows the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 in a normal operating mode 24 for fire detection or air monitoring. An air flow is sucked out of a room to be monitored via pipes 2, 3 and fed to a detection unit 4 for examining the air flow for fire parameters or air quality variables or the air composition. An air guiding component 1 arranged between the tubes 2, 3 is likewise traversed by the air stream. In this example, the air guide component 1 is a filter component with a filter insert 5 for the pre-filtering of coarse dirt particles from the air flow. The housing 7 of the air guiding component 1 comprises a base housing 13 and a second component 21 designed as a housing cover without a connection, which are connected to one another by means of releasable connecting means 15, for example screws.

FIG. 9 shows the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 in a maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26. In the maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26, the air guiding component 1 is connected to a first component 10 designed as an adapter part by the fact that the in FIG. 8th The second component 21 shown, designed as a housing cover, has been removed from the air guide component 1 and instead the cover housing 14 of the first component 10 has been detachably connected to the base housing 13 of the air guide component 1 by means of the connecting means 15. The first component 10 has a connection 6 through which the air guiding component 1 and the connected pipe 3 are connected in terms of flow via a line 23 to a maintenance / cleaning device 22, for example a vacuum cleaner. However, the connection of the air guide component 1 to the pipe 2, which is connected to the detection unit 4, is blocked by the shut-off element 16 firmly connected to the first component 10. As a result, the detection unit 4 is protected from damage during the maintenance of the pipe system from, for example, strong negative pressure or positive pressure occurring during cleaning.

FIG. 10 shows the method according to the invention as a state diagram. The normal operating mode 24 is an operating state of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39, in which it sucks in an air flow from a room to be monitored and uses a detection unit 4 to monitor the air flow for fire parameters, air quality parameters or the air composition.

In the maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26, the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 is in a maintenance state in which it is cleaned in particular, with the flow connection to the detection unit 4 being interrupted, for example.

The transition 25 from the normal operating mode 24 to the maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26 is mainly due to the establishment of a flow connection between a maintenance / cleaning device 22 and a connection 6 on an air guiding component 1 of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 or between maintenance - / cleaning device 22, a first component 10 designed as an adapter part with a connection 6 and an air guide component 1 of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39. For example, at transition 25, a second component 21 of the air guiding component 1 designed as a housing cover is detached and the first component 10 designed as an adapter part is connected as a cover to a base housing 13 of the air guiding component 1.

The transition 27 from the maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26 to the normal operating mode 24 is mainly due to the separation of a flow connection between a maintenance / cleaning device 22 and a connection 6 on an air guiding component 1 of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 or between maintenance - / cleaning device 22, a first component 10 designed as an adapter part with a connection 6 and an air guide component 1 of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39. For example, at the transition 27, the first component 10 is detached as a cover and a second component 21, designed as a housing cover, of the air guide component 1 is connected to a base housing 13 of the air guide component 1.

Fig. 11 shows an exemplary flow chart for carrying out the method according to the invention for maintaining and / or cleaning a pipe system, in particular an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39. The individual steps of the method are described below.

At the start 28, the method for maintaining and / or cleaning the pipe system is started, for example due to the expiry of a maintenance interval, due to a fault message from the air flow monitoring of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 or, for example, after commissioning to check the fire detection and / or Air monitoring system 39 with a test gas. As a rule, the air guide component 1 or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 is already in a normal operating mode 24 before the start 28 of the method, in which it sucks in an air flow from a room to be monitored and, with the help of a detection unit 4, the air flow monitored for fire parameters, air quality parameters or the air composition.

Steps 29, 30 and 31 serve to prepare step 32 for performing the maintenance / cleaning and correspond to the transition 25 of the air guiding component 1 or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 from a normal operating mode 24 to a maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26. In step 29, the housing 7 of the air guiding component 1 is opened in that a second component 29 designed as a housing cover is detached from the base housing 13 of the air guiding component 1 by releasing or removing the connecting means 15. In step 30, the housing 7 of the air guiding component 1 is closed by placing a first component 10 designed as an adapter part on the base housing 13 of the air component 1 and fixing it by means of the connecting means 15. A shut-off element 16 firmly connected to the first component 10 designed as an adapter part simultaneously reduces or closes the gas inlet 12a of the air guide component, for example in order to separate a detection unit 4 connected to the air guide component 1 via a pipe 2 in terms of flow from the interior of the housing of the air guide component 1. In step 31, a maintenance / cleaning device 22, for example a compressed air source, a vacuum cleaner or a test gas source, is fluidly connected via a line 23 to the connection 6 of the first component 10 designed as an adapter part and thus to the interior of the housing of the air guide component 1.

In step 32, the maintenance or cleaning is carried out by, for example, using the maintenance / cleaning device 22 designed as a compressed air source to blow the housing interior of the air guiding component 1 and the connected pipe 3 or pipe system free, or by, for example, using the maintenance / cleaning device designed as a vacuum cleaner 22, the interior of the housing of the air guiding component 1 and the connected pipe 3 or pipe system can be sucked out, or by testing the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39, for example, using the maintenance / cleaning device 22 designed as a test gas source. In step 32, the air guide component 1 or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 is in a maintenance / cleaning mode 26 in which, for example, parts of the pipe system are separated from the air guide component 1 in terms of flow with the aid of one or more shut-off elements 16 and the air guide component 1 overflows a connector 6 is connected to the maintenance / cleaning device 22. Step 32 is ended when the maintenance or cleaning of the pipe system and / or of the air guiding component 1 has been completed.

Steps 33, 34 and 35 correspond to the transition 27 of the air guiding component 1 or of the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 from a maintenance / cleaning operating mode 26 to a normal operating mode 24. In step 33, the maintenance / cleaning device 22, for example a Compressed air source, a vacuum cleaner or a test gas source, from the connection 6 of the first designed as an adapter part Component 10 separated and thus separated from the housing interior of the air guide component 1 in terms of flow.

In step 34, the housing 7 of the air guiding component 1 is opened in that the first component 10, designed as an adapter part, is detached from the base housing 13 of the air guiding component 1 by releasing or removing the connecting means 15. In step 35, the housing 7 of the air guiding component 1 is closed in that the second component 21, designed as a housing cover, is placed on the base housing 13 of the air guiding component 1 and is fixed by means of the connecting means 15. Since the second component 21 does not have a shut-off element, in this step a flow path running from the gas inlet 12a to the gas outlet 12b is re-established inside the housing 7, so that the pipe system connected to the air guiding component 1 and the other components such as the detection unit 4 are now again are fluidly connected to the air guide component 1. The air guiding component 1 or the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 is thus again in the normal operating mode 24 at the end 36 of the method.
FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of a pipe system of an aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39, which is assigned to a monitoring area 37. A single suction pipe 3 is shown here to represent the pipe system. In the embodiment shown, the pipe 3 is attached below the ceiling of the monitoring area 37, for example by means of pipe clamps. Air is sucked in from the monitoring area 37 through suction openings 38 in the pipe 3. For this purpose, a suction unit 40, which is integrated in the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39, is used. The suction unit 40 and the pipe system are monitored via an air flow sensor.

After the aspirated air sample has passed the airflow sensor, it flows through a detection unit 4 in the aspiration alarm, which is designed, for example, as a smoke sensor or an oxygen sensor. For example, the smoke sensor uses scattered light measurements to examine the sucked in air flow for smoke particles. The oxygen sensor measures the oxygen concentration of the air sample, which represents an average value of the oxygen concentration in the air of the monitoring area 37. The measured value is compared with threshold values in the fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39.

As in FIG. 12 indicated schematically, the pipe system of the aspirative fire detection and / or air monitoring system 39 is assigned at least one air guide component 1 according to the invention, which can be a filter component, for example. <b> List of reference symbols </b> 1 Air guide component 21st 2nd component 2 pipe 22nd Cleaning / maintenance device 3 pipe 23 management 4th Detection unit 24 Normal operating mode 5 Filter insert 25th crossing 6th connection 26th Maintenance / cleaning operating mode 7th casing 27 crossing 8th opening 28 begin 9 guide 29 Disassembly of the 2nd component 10 1st component 30th Assembly of 1st component 11 Wall area 31 Connection of maintenance / cleaning device 12a Gas inlet 32 Carrying out maintenance / cleaning 12b Gas outlet 33 Separation of maintenance / cleaning device 13 Basic housing 34 Disassembly of 1st component 14th Cover housing 35 Assembly of 2nd component 15th Lanyard 1./2. component 36 The End 16 Shut-off element 37 Monitoring area 17th screw 38 Suction opening 18th Pipe connection 39 Fire detection / air monitoring system 19th Lanyard shut-off element 40 Suction unit 20th poetry

Claims (8)

1. A filter element (1) for a pipe system (2, 3), for an intake pipe system for gaseous media used in an aspirating fire-detection and/or air-monitoring system (30), wherein the filter element (1) has a housing (7) with a gas inlet (12a) and a gas outlet (12b), which is designed to accommodate a filter element (5) in its interior, and has at least one filter element (5) accommodated in the housing interior, wherein the gas inlet (12a) and the gas outlet (12b) can be fluidically connected to the pipe system (2, 3) to form a flow path extending from the gas inlet (12a) to the gas outlet (12b) in the housing interior, wherein in a normal operating mode (24) of the filter element (1), the flow path extending from the gas inlet (12a) to the gas outlet (12b) runs at least partially through the at least one filter element (5) accommodated in the housing interior, and wherein furthermore a connecting region is provided for the fluidic connection, if necessary or optionally, of the housing interior to a maintenance/cleaning device (22),
   wherein in a maintenance/cleaning operating mode (26) of the filter element (1), in which the pipe system (2, 3) which can be fluidically connected to the gas inlet (12a) and the gas outlet (12b) and/or the filter element (1) is to be cleaned and/or maintained, the housing interior is fluidically connected to the maintenance/cleaning device (22), while simultaneously a fluidic connection which can be implemented via the gas outlet (12b) is disconnected, and/or while simultaneously a fluidic connection which can be implemented via the gas inlet (12a) is disconnected,
   wherein the connecting region has a fitting (6) provided in or on a wall region (11) of the housing (7), via which, if necessary or optionally, the housing interior can be fluidically connected to the maintenance/cleaning device (22), wherein the wall region (11), in or on which the fitting (6) is provided, is embodied as a wall region (11) of a first component (10) which can be detachably connected to the housing (7), and wherein the wall region (11) of the first component (10) is designed to close a housing opening provided in the housing (7), and
   wherein at least one shutoff element (16) is associated with the gas inlet (12a) for the disconnection, if necessary or optionally, of a fluidic connection between the pipe system (2, 3) and the housing interior which can be implemented via the gas inlet (12a);
   and/or wherein at least one shutoff element (16) is associated with the gas outlet (12b) for the disconnection, if necessary or optionally, of a fluidic connection between the housing interior and the pipe system (2, 3) which can be implemented via the gas outlet (12b).
2. The filter element (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first component (10), which can be detachably connected to the housing (7), can be exchanged for a second component (21) which has a wall region without fitting and can be detachably connected to the housing (7), wherein in a state in which the second component (21) is connected to the housing (7), the wall region of the second component (21) closes the housing opening provided in the housing (7).
3. The filter element (1) according to at least one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a closure part is associated with the fitting (6) for the reduction, if necessary or optionally, of an effective flow cross-section of a fluidic connection between the housing interior and the maintenance/cleaning device (22) which can be implemented via the fitting (6), or for the disconnection, if necessary or optionally, of a fluidic connection between the housing interior and the maintenance/cleaning device (22) which can be implemented via the fitting (6).
4. The filter element (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing (7) has at least one opening (8) associated with the at least one shutoff element (16), via which opening the at least one shutoff element (16) can be inserted to disconnect, if necessary or optionally, a fluidic connection between the housing interior and the pipe system (2, 3) which can be implemented via the gas outlet (12b) or the gas inlet (12a).
5. The filter element (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing (7) is designed to accommodate, in exchangeable manner, at least the filter element (5) in its housing interior.
6. A pipe system (2, 3) for an aspirating fire-detection and/or air-monitoring system (30), wherein the pipe system (2, 3) has at least one filter element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5.
7. A method for maintaining and/or cleaning a pipe system (2, 3) of an intake pipe system for gaseous media being used in an aspirating fire-detection or air-monitoring system (30), wherein the pipe system (2, 3) has a filter element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein
   in the normal operating mode (24) of the filter element (1), the gas inlet (12a) and the gas outlet (12b) are fluidically connected to the pipe system (2, 3) to form the flow path extending from the gas inlet (12a) to the gas outlet (12b) in the housing interior, wherein the method has the following method steps:

   - transferring the normal operating mode (24) of the filter element (1) into maintenance/cleaning operating mode (26), in which the housing interior is fluidically connected to a maintenance/cleaning device (22) while simultaneously the fluidic connection which can be implemented via the gas outlet (12b) is disconnected, and/or while simultaneously the fluidic connection which can be implemented via the gas inlet (12a) is disconnected, and

   - if necessary, injecting air or other gaseous media and/or aerosols or suctioning air, liquid particles and/or solid particles out of the housing interior via the maintenance/cleaning device (22).
8. The method for maintaining and/or cleaning a pipe system (2, 3) according to claim 7, wherein the first component (10) of the filter element (1) is embodied as adapter part, and wherein to transfer the normal operating mode (24) of the filter element (1) into the maintenance/cleaning operating mode (26), the housing (7) of the filter element (1) is opened, subsequently the housing opening is covered and closed at least in regions using the adapter part with the fitting (6), and then the fitting (6) of the adapter part is fluidically connected to the maintenance/cleaning device (22).

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