FR2722282A1 - Mechanical sand-deposit level detector for sand removal baths - Google Patents

Abstract

A thin disc plunger, mounted vertically on a cable, sits on the surface of sand/deposit on the bottom of a bath. As sand collects, the plunger rises and the level is measured by the slack in the cable being taken up on a drum. The drum (or a cam) indicates the sand level and activates automatic flushing of the bath.

Description

 The invention relates to an automatic mechanical detector for triggering the opening control of a flush valve of a desalinating or de-watering basin from the periodically adjustable thickness measurement of deposits in the filled basin. of water.

The state of the art can be defined by the following patents
- FR-A-1.303.036: in the context of an installation of the type described in the main patent, it provides in particular immersion of the differential pressure relay in the reference pressure setting zone, which places this device to the frost free and simplifies the installation by overpressure of the static outlet. On the other hand, there is described a static reference pneumatic plug constituted by a bell combined with the body of the relay if it is immersed. It is the pressure of the compressed air in this bell which is then applied to the reference chamber by a pneumatic transmission pipe.

 This detector has many disadvantages.

 It uses a differential pressure gauge, a bell, compressed air, etc. all these means are quickly deteriorated.

 In addition, the initial settings are out of adjustment by current and sand.

 In some embodiments, this type of detector essentially comprises a pneumatic membrane or bladder which is arranged at the bottom of the desiccation basin.

 A siphon set allows by simple visualization to record the variations of differential pressure which gives indications on the level of silting of the basin.

 In this embodiment, the disadvantages are also numerous.

 The membrane or bladder is very fragile and therefore deteriorated when the flush valve is opened.

 The siphons are easily clogged.

 The detector does not allow automatic action on a mechanical device of the opening control of a flush valve.

 It is a detector only by visualization of siphons.

 All these devices confer a great resistance to the flow during the flushing of water thus a great abrasion by the sands and pebbles.

 For these embodiments, the detection of fattening basins desalinization is performed using pneumatic membrane detectors, embedded in the basement pools.

 When the sand thickness deposited in the pond is considered sufficient, an electrical contact of the fat detector gives the order of opening to a flush valve, to carry out the evacuation of the sand in the channel provided for this purpose.

 These membrane detectors are subjected to the pressure due to the depth of water under which they are immersed, plus the weight of the sands and pebbles piled therein.

 The management of pneumatic measurements, their conversion into electrical measurement, the production of compressed air, the frequent deterioration of the membranes and the sealing of the circuits make all these embodiments described in the aforementioned, fragile and patented patents. maintenance knives.

 - FR-A-2013839: To dredge the channels of a de-waterer equipping a sewage settling facility, there is provided a receiving device and sand transport in the form of a cell wheel which is rotated by an electric drum motor and moves along the channels thanks to a traction motor. A steering wheel can lift or lower the cell wheel and a winch mounted on a gantry is provided to clear the wheel guides and bring it on a carrier to empty it.

 It is essentially a device for mechanical dredging and not a detector.

 - FR-A-1,519,392: The invention relates to a grit installation, comprising a circular basin connected, on the one hand, to a raw water supply channel and, on the other hand, to a water channel. draining desalinated water, this basin having conical walls terminating at their lower part to a sand collecting well, a stirring member being arranged in the central part of the basin to print a constant movement with the water in a transverse direction with respect to the sedimentation movement of the sand, a pump, the suction tube of which is arranged in the center of the basin, allowing the transfer of the sand from the collecting well to an evacuation receptacle, the stirring member being carried by a rotating hollow shaft around the vertical tube of the pump.

 The invention tends to solve all these problems.

 The detector according to the invention is automatic.

 It acts automatically on the opening control of a flush valve.

 The detector is immersed periodically, so it does not stay in the water.

 The detector has a shape that gives it a minimum resistance to rapid flow during flushing.

 The detector can be easily adjusted for a determined sand thickness.

 The implementation and maintenance of the detector is inexpensive.

 The mechanical gravitation detector for basins of desiccation is characterized in that it consists of a feeler feeder intended to be immersed and emerged in the bottom of the basin by means of vertical sliding, guiding said weight, measurement, detection and analysis means analyze the movement of said weight to determine the measured fat height and compare it with the predetermined values of the fattening heights defining an acceptable fattening zone, beyond this zone said detector automatically actuates the triggering of the opening command of at least one flush valve.

 According to one embodiment, the feeler weight has a lens shape which gives it a minimum resistance to rapid flow during flushing.

 The means for vertical sliding and guiding of the feeler feeder are constituted by one or more vertical tubes arranged in the pond to be monitored along which said feeder weight can slide vertically by means of a cable to which it is fixed by one of its ends while the other end of the cable is mounted on a winding drum driven by a motor.

The means for measuring and detecting the fattening of the pelvis are constituted by the following technical characteristics which make it possible to detect "the slack of cable"
The drive drum of the cable is mounted floating on its axis of rotation, so as to tilt in the opposite direction of the action of the load, because driven in this rotation by the weight of the engine placed judiciously for this purpose and this, as soon as said feeler weight settles on the bottom of the pond or the sand and that its weight no longer acts in load traction on the hanger cable, a reaction arm serves as support for the engine crew, said arm comes leaning on a lower stop and the passage triggers an electric end of the race, called "soft cable limit switch". This detection of "cable slack" makes it possible to detect the height of fattening, means of analysis analyze whether the zone of fattening is authorized and if the control of opening of hunting must be actuated.

 The detector is programmed so that the feeler follower makes a cyclic upward descent movement along the guide means.

 The descent ramp cycle is adjustable for each application and need.

 The geared motor unit is mounted floating on two bearings and resting on a reaction arm.

 Said reaction arm comprises an end which abuts against an upper stop under the action of the load of said feeler weight and against another abutment called "bottom stop" which triggers an electrical end-of-stroke called "end of slack stroke". of cable ".

 The electrical end-of-travel contact of "cable slack" stops the unwinding of the probe feeder cable.

 With respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the winding drum, the geared motor unit is arranged offset from the vertical (Y) on the side where the reaction arm is located, so that when the weight of the feeler feeder no longer acts on the cable, the reaction arm tilts in the opposite direction to the load action driven by its own weight and that of the power unit.

 The upper abutment, referred to as the safety abutment in traction load, is mounted against an adjustable spring so as to adjust the sensitivity of a contactor which cuts off the power supply of the geared motor unit in the event of overload on the cable. in order to stop the detector as soon as the torque goes beyond a certain desired value on this safety stop.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding means consist of two vertical tubes along which the feeler weight is actuated by a cable in an upward or downward vertical movement.

 The vertical tubes are interconnected by cross members in the upper part which does not act as a guide path, while for the lower part, the vertical tubes are free and parallel, so that the feeler follower, during its passage, automatically cleans said tubes automatically by ejecting the objects, plant products or animals that could be attached thereto.

 The feeler weight slides vertically along the vertical tubes arranged in the center of the lens.

 The measuring and analyzing means are constituted by the winding drum which is provided on at least one of its flanges with a cam whose shape is adjustable, said cam is intended to cooperate with a detector, the cam modular design makes it possible to determine the height of gravity H which is considered acceptable; beyond this height, if H1> H, the detector controls the action of the flush valve, the cable stroke on the winding drum is measured by the displacement of the adjustable cam, which enables the height to be measured. of engravement H.

 The accompanying drawings are given as indicative and non-limiting examples. They represent a preferred embodiment according to the invention. They will make it easy to understand the invention.

 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fat detector according to the invention.

 Figure 2 is a sectional view of the detector showing the vertical movement of the feeler feeder, the area of fattening.

 FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing, the winding drum, the upper stopper, referred to as the safety stop, and the lower abutment referred to as the "slack end of cable slack".

 Figure 4 is a schematic view highlighting the entire mechanical detector and its kinematics.

 Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the vertical guide tubes and the guide shell of the feeler follower.

 Figure 6 is a view according to Figure 5 of another embodiment of the guiding shell of the feeler feeder.

 Figures 7 and 8 highlight the action of the adjustable cam which serves as measuring and analyzing means of the fattening motor.

 The mechanical gravitation detector 1 for desilting basins is characterized by the fact that it consists of a feeler feeder 2 intended to be immersed and emerged in the bottom of the basin 3 by means of vertical sliding, guiding said 2, measuring, detection and analysis means analyze the movement of said weight 2 to determine the measured fat height and compare it with the predetermined values of the fattening heights defining an acceptable fattening area; beyond this zone, said detector automatically triggers the triggering of the opening command of at least one flush valve.

 According to one embodiment, the feeler follower 2 has a lens shape which gives it a minimum resistance to rapid flow during flushing.

 The means for vertical sliding and guiding 4, 5 of the feeler feeder are constituted by two vertical tubes 4, 5 arranged in the basin 3 to be monitored along which said feeder weight 2 can slide vertically by means of a cable 6 to which it is fixed at one of its ends while the other end of the cable is mounted on a winding drum 7 actuated by a motor 8.

The means for measuring and detecting the fattening of the pelvis are constituted by the following technical characteristics which make it possible to detect "the slack of cable"
The drive drum 7 of the cable 6 is mounted floating on its axis of rotation, so as to tilt in the opposite direction of the action of the load, because driven in this rotation by the weight of the engine placed judiciously for this purpose and this, as soon as said feeder weight is placed on the bottom of the basin and that its weight no longer acts in load traction on the hanger cable 6, a reaction arm 9 serves to support the engine crew, said arm 9 comes to rest on a lower abutment 10 and the passage triggers an electrical limit switch, called "soft cable end of travel". This detection of "cable slack" makes it possible to detect the height of fattening, means of analysis analyze whether the zone of fattening is authorized and if the control of opening of hunting must be actuated.

 The detector 1 is programmed so that the feeler feeder 2 performs a cyclic upward movement down the guide means 4, 5.

 The descent ramp cycle is adjustable for each application and need.

 The geared motor unit 8 is mounted floating on two bearings 11, 12 and bears on a reaction arm 9.

 Said reaction arm 9 has one end which abuts against an upper stop 13 under the action of the load of said feeler weight 2 and against another abutment called "bottom stop" 14 which triggers an electrical end-of-stroke called "end rope slack race ".

 The electrical contact 16 end of travel of "slack cable" stops the unwinding of the cable of the feeler feeder 2.

 With respect to the longitudinal axis X of the winding drum 7, the geared motor unit 8 is arranged offset from the vertical Y, on the side where the reaction arm 9 is located, so that when the weight of the feeder weight 2 no longer acts on the cable 6, the reaction arm 9 switches in the opposite direction to the charging action driven by its own weight and that of the power unit 8.

 The upper abutment 13 known as the "safety abutment" in traction load is mounted against a spring 15 which is adjustable so as to adjust the sensitivity of a contactor 20 which cuts off the power supply of the geared motor unit 8 in case overloading the cable 6 so as to stop the detector 1 as soon as the torque exceeds a certain desired value on this safety stop 13. This state is signaled because it is an incident.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding means consist of two vertical tubes 4, 5 along which the feeler weight 2 is actuated by a cable 6 in a vertical upward or downward movement.

 The vertical tubes 4, 5 are interconnected by crosspieces 17 in the upper part which does not act as a guide path, while for the lower part, the vertical tubes 4, 5 are free and parallel, and the sensing weight 2, during its passage, automatically cleaning said tubes 4, 5 by ejecting objects, plant products or animals that could be attached thereto.

 The feeler follower 2 slides vertically along the vertical tubes 4, 5 arranged in the center of the lens.

 The measuring and analyzing means 18, 19 are constituted by the winding drum 7 which is provided, on at least one of its flanges, with a cam 18 whose shape is adjustable, said cam 18 is intended to cooperate with a detector 19, the adjustable cam 18 makes it possible to determine the height of gravity H which is considered acceptable; beyond this height, if H1> H, the detector 1 controls the action of the flush valve, the stroke of the cable 6 on the winding drum 7 is measured by the displacement of the adjustable cam 18 which allows to measure the height of fat H.

 Figures 7 and 8 highlight the action of the adjustable cam.

 The mechanical engraving detector 1, as described in the accompanying figures, is as follows.

 The gravity detector 1 has the principle of sliding along a pair of vertical tubes arranged in the basin 3 to be monitored, a sensor feeler 2 in the form of a lens.

 This feeder feeder 2 slides vertically to the bottom of the basin 3, if the latter is perfectly clean.

 When the feeder feeder 2 lands on the bottoms, its point no longer acts in tension on the hanger cable 6.

 Under these conditions, the drive drum 7 of the cable 6, which is mounted floating on its fixed axis of rotation, switches in the opposite direction to the action of the load, driven in this rotation by the weight of the geared motor unit 8 , judiciously placed for this purpose, as described above.

 The reaction arm 9, which serves as a support for the engine 8, is supported on the lower stop 14 and in passing, triggers an electric switch 16, called "electrical end of stroke".

 This electrical switch 16 end of race of "slack cable" stops the unwinding of the cable 6 of the traction of the feeder feeder 2.

 To detect the fattening of the pond, it is sufficient to determine an area of height between Ho and H which is considered acceptable and for which it is not necessary to open the basin flush valve.

 The flush valve is not shown in the drawings.

 The sensing feeler pin 2 is programmed to cyclically move upwardly downwardly along the sliding and guiding means 4, 5.

 The guidance cycle is adjusted according to each application.

At each descent of the feeler feeder 2, if the cable slack detection stop described above occurs in the authorized grazing area, that is to say in the zone between
H and H ,, there is no valve opening command.

 On the other hand, if the height of fattening H1 is raised, that is to say that if H1> H, and thus exceeded the allowed value, the function "slack of cable" occurs outside the fattening zone.

 In this case, the electrical switch 20 of the "soft cable" function closes in series with an electrical contact 21 which triggers the control and the opening of the flush valve.

 The opening of the flush valve causes the opening thereof as soon as the sensor feeder 2 is raised in its end-of-travel position out of water.

 Thus, during the hunting function, the feeler feeder 2 is switched off.

 The detector resumes the detection cycles as soon as the basin is again in function of desalinisation and the flush valve has been closed.

 Of course, the detector is however sized to withstand the hunting flow to mitigate the risk of disorder in case of mishandling.

 REFERENCES 1. Detector 2. Sensor feeder 3. Tank 4, 5. Vertical sliding means 6. Cable 7. Winding drum 8. Motor 9. Reaction arm 10. Bottom stop 11, 12. Bearings 13. Top stop Safety 14. Bottom slack limit end stop 15. Spring of the upper stop 13 ensuring its adjustment 16. Contactor, electrical contactor called "limit switch" cable slack 17. Crossbars 18. Cam 19. Detector, adjustable cam detector 18 20. Contactor, electrical contactor called "safety" which cuts the power supply of the geared motor group 21. Electric switch for opening or closing the flush valve

Claims (12)

 1. Mechanical engraving detector (1) for desiccation basins characterized by the fact  it consists of a feeler weight (2) intended to be immersed and emerged in the bottom of the basin (3) by means of vertical sliding, guiding (4, 5) of said weight (2), means measurement, detection and analysis analyzes the movement of said flyweight (2) to determine the measured fat height and compare it with the predetermined values of the fattening heights defining an acceptable fattening area, beyond this zone, said detector automatically triggers the triggering of the opening command of at least one flush valve.  2. mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact  the feeler weight (2) has a lens shape which gives it a minimum resistance to rapid flow during flushing.  3. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact  the means for vertical sliding and guiding (4, 5) of the feeler follower consist of one or more vertical tubes (4, 5) arranged in the basin (3) to be monitored along which said feeler weight (2) can slide vertically through a cable (6) to which it is fixed at one end while the other end of the cable is mounted on a winding drum (7) actuated by a motor (8).  4. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact  the means for measuring and detecting the fattening of the basin are constituted by the driving drum (7) of the cable (6) which is mounted floating on its axis of rotation, so as to tilt in the opposite direction of the action of the load, because driven in this rotation by the weight of the motorization judiciously placed for this purpose and as soon as said feeler weight settles on the bottom of the basin and that its weight no longer acts in load traction on the suspension cable (6), a reaction arm (9) serves as support for the engine, said arm (9) is supported on a lower stop (10) and the passage triggers an electric limit switch, so-called "soft cable limit switch"; this detection of "cable slack" makes it possible to detect the height of fattening, means of analysis analyze if the zone of fattening is authorized and if the command of opening of flush must be actuated.  5. mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact  that the detector (1) is programmed so that the probe weight (2) makes a cyclic upward movement along the guide means (4, 5).  6. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 5 characterized by the fact  that the descent rise cycle is adjustable according to each application and needs.  7. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 4 characterized by the fact  the geared motor unit (8) is mounted floating on two bearings (11, 12) and bears on a reaction arm (9).  8. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 7 characterized by the fact  said reaction arm (9) has one end which abuts against an upper stop (13) under the action of the load of said feeler weight (2) and against another abutment called "bottom stop" (14) which triggers an electrical end-of-travel called "cable slack limit switch".  9. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 4 characterized by the fact  with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the winding drum, the geared motor unit (8) is arranged offset from the vertical Y, on the side where the reaction arm (9) is located, so as to when the weight of the feeler feeder (2) no longer acts on the rope (6), the reaction arm (9) reverses in the opposite direction to the load action caused by its own weight and that of the power unit (8).  10. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 4 characterized by the fact  that the upper stop (13), said safety stop in traction load is mounted against a spring (15) adjustable to adjust the sensitivity of a switch (16) which cuts the power of the motorcycle group -reducer (8) in case of overload on the cable (6) so as to stop the detector (1) as soon as the torque goes beyond a certain desired value on this safety stop (13).  11. mechanical fat detector (1) according to any one of claims 4 or 10 characterized by the fact  that the measuring and analyzing means (18, 19) consist of the winding drum (7) which is provided, on at least one of its flanges, with a cam (18) whose shape is adjustable, said cam (18) is intended to cooperate with a detector (19), the adjustable cam (18) makes it possible to determine the height of gravity H which is considered acceptable; beyond this height, if H1> H, the detector (1) controls the action of the flush valve, the stroke of the cable (6) on the winding drum (7) is measured by the displacement of the adjustable cam (18) which allows to measure the height of fattening H.  12. Mechanical fat detector (1) according to claim 1 characterized by the fact  the vertical tubes (4, 5) are connected to each other by crosspieces (17) in the upper part which does not act as a guide path, while for the lower part, the vertical tubes (4, 5) are free and parallel, and so that the sensor feeder (2) during its passage, automatically cleans each said tubes (4, 5) by ejecting objects, plant products or animals that could be attached thereto.