FI128902B - Stop valve arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Shut-off valve arrangement, which is arranged at a liquid channel for marking and closing a liquid flow in the channel or in actuators connected thereto. The shut-off valve arrangement comprises means (120) for marking the liquid flow, means for marking the liquid flow operatively connected means (130) for pressing gas inlet, means for pressing gas inlet operatively connected means for feeding and directing gas to a shut-off valve (110 ) comprising the shut-off valve arrangement, and means (150) for closing the liquid channel closing shut-off valve by means of the gas from means (140) for gas metering.

Description

SHUT-OFF VALVE ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a shut-off valve arrangement for use in closing a fluid passage in the event of a leak.

BACKGROUND Leakage damage, such as water damage to households, causes significant financial losses every year.

Several different methods are known for detecting and handling leaks. Some solutions are based on leak detection and detection without a shut-off function. Solutions are also known in which, in addition to detecting a leak, the leak is also closed in ways based on, for example, electronic control and a closed-circuit circuit. The disadvantages of these solutions are their complexity and dependence on electricity supply.

US 2005/0275547 discloses a solution for detecting water leaks. The system includes several sensors, such as a humidity sensor, a water level sensor and / or a water temperature sensor. Based on the data collected from the sensors, a leak is reported, for example, when the water level sensor reading exceeds a threshold value and / or the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold value.

EP 3252360 discloses a solution for controlling a pneumatic actuator. The piston of the valve actuator is deflected to the first position and moved to the second position under pressure. The conductor connects the pressure side and the non-pressurized side to conduct gas from the pressure side to the non-pressurized side. The system N also includes an expansion valve connected to the conduit to reduce the pressure A in the conduit.

> US 2014/0109994 discloses an automatic water leak detection and shut-off device. The water control unit includes an inlet, an outlet and a solenoid valve. The collecting unit is placed between the water control unit and the> water outlet unit. The detection unit is mounted on the collection unit and N is electrically connected to the solenoid valve and electrically activates the solenoid valve based on the leakage condition of the collection unit to immediately stop the water supply.

It is therefore clear that there is a need to develop an improved solution for detecting and preventing leakage damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to at least partially eliminate the above-mentioned problem. The object is achieved by the invention, which is the subject of independent claims. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

The invention has the advantage that it is quick and reliable to detect and stop leaks. The electroless solution according to the invention is also significantly cheaper to implement than an electrical shut-off system.

FIGURES The invention and its preferred embodiments are shown in the following figures, in which Figure 1 shows a shut-off valve arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the method according to the embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION o Embodiments relate to an arrangement and method for shutting off a liquid supply N in the event of a leak N in connection with a liquid supply system. The liquid supply system in this connection can be, for example, a water supply system 2 in a property or an industrial plant or a fuel supply system E in a vehicle. A leak situation can be related to, for example, a pipe, hose, actuator or tank in the system.

= The embodiments relate to an arrangement comprising means for detecting a leak, means for triggering a gas supply as a result of a leak, and a shut-off valve for shutting off the liquid supply by means of an actuator connected to the gas supply system.

Figure 1 illustrates the device parts of embodiments of the invention on a rough level. The figure shows the flow channel used for the liquid supply and the shut-off valve 110 mounted in the channel. The channel inlet section leading to the shut-off valve 110 is marked with 100A and the channel outlet section with 100B. If necessary, the shut-off valve can be used to shut off the flow of the substance between the inlet and outlet sections.

It is clear that the liquid supply system includes parts other than the ductwork 100A, 100B shown. A possible leak in the supply system can occur either in the duct system or in an actuator connected to the duct system, such as a dishwasher, pump, tap, or the leak can be due to a sewer block or a tank connected to the liquid supply, such as a pulp boiler.

The arrangement according to the embodiments further includes a leak detection apparatus 120 arranged to detect a leak in the substance supply system. The leak detection apparatus 120 may be separate from the substance supply system 100 and may not be in direct communication with the substance supply system. For example, in the case of a residential property, the substance supply system may mean a water supply system, in which case leak detection equipment may be located, for example, on the floor of the residential property to detect possible water leaks from the substance supply system. It will be appreciated that there may be o or more leak detection equipment arranged per supply system.

O Leak detection equipment may comprise a component of a device that loses mechanical strength due to the substance. In connection with the detection of liquid leakage, the device component in question may comprise, for example, wood fiber pulp, starch, mineral, pulp, salt or some similar liquid-meltable, soluble or oxidizable substance.

= Fig. 1 further shows a trigger device 130, 2 for protective operations, which is operatively connected to one or more leak detection devices 120. The trigger device 130 may comprise, for example, a spring element which

the soul element may be, for example, of the coil spring or arc spring type. In its normal state, the spring means is tuned, in which case potential energy is stored in it. The spring means is mechanically operatively connected to the leak detection device component. By this is meant that when the sensing device component melts, deceives or dissolves under the influence of the detecting substance, the spring and the potential energy stored therein are released into the kinetic energy of the spring.

Instead of a spring, the triggering device may be based on magnetism, for example so that the material of the sensing device is arranged to keep the different polarized magnets apart and the substance loses its mechanical strength, allowing the magnets to approach each other, releasing kinetic energy to another magnet.

In one embodiment, the trigger device 130 comprises a trigger arm operatively connected to the spring. By functional coupling is meant that when the potential energy stored in the spring is released, the trigger arm receives kinetic energy either in the direction of displacement of the spring or in the opposite direction.

The trigger arm can be, for example, a straight rod. In one embodiment, the other end of the trigger arm may be formed as a sharp spike arranged to puncture the casing of the gas container included in the system to release gas from the container. As an alternative to the piercing spike of the gas tank, the triggering can also act, for example, by the trigger arm removing a pin or similar locking element from the pressure tank, thus releasing the gas supply.

The shut-off valve arrangement according to the embodiments further comprises o gas supply means 140 operatively connected to the trigger apparatus O 130 for triggering the compressed air. The gas supply means may comprise a tank in which N is stored, for example, compressed air or carbon dioxide.

e The use of carbon dioxide is particularly advantageous because the carbon dioxide reacts less to the temperature than the air, so that the pressure in the pressure vessel remains more constant N, which contributes to the reliability of the device.

= In the embodiment described above, in which the trigger arm is shaped sharp at one end, the arrangement is arranged to operate such that the sharp-shaped trigger arm is arranged to puncture the shell of the gas tank. Preferably, the shell of the gas container is made of metal to ensure long-term operation and mechanical strength. In another embodiment, the trigger arm is operatively connected to the valve or faucet of the gas tank to release a gas, such as compressed air or carbon dioxide, from the tank.

According to the embodiments, the gas is thus not active in the ductwork in the normal situation of the device, which thus means a situation in which a leak has not yet been detected and shut-off measures have not been activated. This achieves significant advantages in the durability of the system because the gas in this normal situation does not cause stresses to the gas supply network. The system is also more reliable because it is not dependent on continuous pressure generation, but in embodiments gas is produced only when a leak occurs.

Furthermore, the solution according to the embodiments avoids the formation of condensation water, which is a risk in a continuously pressurized system. Condensed water can enter, in a pressurized system, the trigger element, causing an erroneous trigger.

Further, in a continuously pressurized system in which a trigger element, such as a salt or pulp element, is in continuous contact with compressed air, moisture may be absorbed from the compressed air. In this case, the tripping element is exposed to oxidation and may no longer be able to contain compressed air and ensure the tightness of the system. The trigger element may also be petrified by moisture and heat, which has a detrimental effect and introduces ambiguity in the melting time of the trigger element.

With the solution according to the embodiments, in which the production of pressure is started only after the detection of a leak, the trigger element is not subjected to gas pressure and the problems described above can be avoided.

Fig. 1 shows a compressed air duct 142 connected to the compressed air supply means 140, to which the compressed air led from the compressed air tank is led. Preferably, z is also ensured, for example by sealing, that the gas discharged from the gas tank N cannot at least substantially discharge back in the direction of the trigger means, = if the trigger means is implemented as a piercing spike in the gas tank.

Figure 1 also shows a shut-off actuator 150 for closing the shut-off valve 110. In one embodiment, the shut-off actuator comprises a gas-operated shut-off arm connected to a tap belonging to the shut-off valve for turning it in a shut-off situation. However, the embodiments are not limited to closing the shut-off valve 110 with a shut-off actuator separate from the shut-off valve, but the shut-off function can also be implemented with gas-operated devices arranged in the shut-off valve 110 itself.

Although one detection apparatus, one trigger apparatus, one gas generating means and one shut-off valve are shown in Figure 1, several different variations can be formed from these. For example, it can be arranged that one detection device is connected to several shut-off valves, i.e. a leak situation detected in one detection device shuts off the supply of liquid at several points in the supply system or even in several separate supply systems. Alternatively, it may be provided that a plurality of leak detection devices are arranged per shut-off valve, in which case a leak detected in any of these closes that shut-off valve.

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the method according to the embodiments.

In the initial step 200 of the method, a flow shut-off device is arranged in connection with the substance flow system if a leak is detected in the ductwork of the flow system or in an actuator belonging to the system. The equipment can also be used to detect, for example, leaks in the floor caused by a sewer blockage, or an increase in the liquid level due to the blockage, for example in an oil or pulp basin.

In step 202, a leak is detected in the substance flow system. Leakage can be detected, for example, by a body reacting with said substance. The body may be, for example, a wood fiber-based material such as cellulose or paper pulp, which crumbles under the influence of a liquid, or a liquid-soluble solid such as a salt or a similar chemical compound.

e In step 204, shut-off operations are triggered as a result of a detected leak. For example, detecting a leak in step 202 and reacting to it by the loss of mechanical strength of the material used for detection may result in the release of potential energy of a spring operatively associated with the detection material. The spring, in turn, may have an arm or other similar member operatively connected, in which case the release of the potential energy of the spring also causes the movement of the arm.

In step 206, the movement of the spring / arm is utilized to release a gas, such as compressed air, from the compressed air tank included in the arrangement. In one embodiment, the arm comprises a spike for breaking the shell of the compressed air tank and releasing the compressed air from the resulting opening. Thus, in embodiments, compressed air is stored in the tank until required due to triggering operations.

In step 208, the released compressed air is passed along the compressed air duct. The compressed air duct can lead either to the shut-off actuator or directly to the shut-off valve. The closing actuator may comprise, for example, a piston-type closing arm arranged to move in the gas channel under the influence of gas. The shut-off arm may be operatively connected to the tap portion of the shut-off valve, for example, so that the movement of the shut-off arm is arranged to close the shut-off valve. The shut-off valve can be, for example, a poppet or ball valve. In a shut-off valve solution operating without a separate external shut-off actuator, the shut-off valve itself may comprise a pneumatic shut-off member.

In step 210, the supply of compressed air in the compressed air duct results in the closing of the shut-off valve and the disconnection of the substance in the supply duct. It should be noted that if the system includes a fluid reservoir and the leak is due to a leak in the fluid reservoir, the fluid passage to be closed may be a fluid passage leading to or from the reservoir, or both may be closed. For example, in connection with a fuel tank, it is essential to close the liquid channel leaving the tank, while in an industrial plant, for example, it is necessary to close the liquid channel leading to the tank.

o The equipment and method described in the embodiments are disposable, O i.e., when a leak has been detected and shut-off operations have been performed, the necessary maintenance measures must be performed on the equipment to restore it to working order. e Maintenance procedures may include, but are not limited to, replacing the detection material with a new, equivalent material, re-tuning the spring, and replacing or refilling the compressed air tank.

= It is clear that as technology advances, the inventive idea can be implemented in 2 different ways. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the above-described embodiments but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims (13)

THE PATENT CLAIMS Shut-off valve arrangement, which is arranged at a liquid channel for detecting and closing a liquid flow in the channel or in actuators connected thereto, which shut-off valve arrangement comprises means (120) for detecting the flow of liquid, characterized in that shut-off valve arrangement comprises means for detecting the liquid flow operatively connected means (130) for pressing gas inlet, which means for pressing off the gas inlet comprise a tensioned spring element and means for detecting the liquid flow are operatively connected to the spring element in such a way that the means for detecting the liquid flow (120) loses its mechanical pourability, potential energy charged by the voltage of the spring element is arranged to release, which shut-off valve arrangement comprises means for pressing gas inlet operatively connected means for inputting and directing gas to a shut-off valve (110) shut-off valve arrangement, and means (150) f to close the liquid channel closing shut-off valve by means of the gas led from the means (140) for gas measurement. A shut-off valve arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that, means for detecting (120) the flow comprises a substance which loses its mechanical pouring action by the influence of the liquid by melting, dissolving or falling apart. A shut-off valve arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that means for pushing off the gas inlet (130) comprise to the spring element N an operatively connected discharge shaft for releasing gas from gas inlet means (140). A shut-off valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the trigger shaft comprises a spike, and gas inlet means (140)> comprises a gas container, and in that the spike of the trigger shaft is arranged to puncture the gas container to release gas from the gas container. A shut-off valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the gas supply means (140) comprises a valve at the gas container and that the pressure shafts are arranged to open the valve of the gas container to release gas from the gas container. A shut-off valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the gas supply means (140) comprises a releasable locking means, and that the pressure shafts are arranged to release said locking means for releasing gas from the gas container. A shut-off valve arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the arrangements comprise a gas duct connected to gas supply means (140) for directing the released gas to the shut-off valve. A shut-off valve arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that means for closing (150) the shut-off valve comprise a piston arranged to act on the action of the gas, which piston is arranged to turn a shut-off element of the shut-off valve to shut off the shut-off valve. ninsventilen. A shut-off valve arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the gas comprises compressed air. N S 10. A shut-off valve arrangement according to any preceding patent claim, characterized in that the gas comprises carbon dioxide. A shut-off valve arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the arrangements comprise a cellulose container, a container for fuel, or oil or other liquid substance, and that means for detecting the flow (120) are provided. to detect the flow in said container and - close the liquid channel leading to or from the container. A shut-off valve arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the arrangements comprise a property, the liquid channel is the water or drain pipe of the property, and that means for detecting (120) the flow are arranged to the floor of the property to detect the flow of water. or the drain pipe. A method of detecting and closing a flow in the context of a liquid channel, characterized in that - a flow is detected (202) by a substance which loses its mechanical durability due to the action of the liquid, which leads to a depression (204) of a tensioned spring. and pressurized by gas supply to gas supply system as a result of the detected flow, and gas supply is opened (208) from a gas container by means of a pressure shaft (206) connected to the spring, and closed (210) the flow of liquid in said liquid channel with by means of a shut-off valve by means of an actuator connected to the gas supply system. O N O N N - I a a Nn LO ~ o O N