GB2444080A - A system to monitor the use of gas in a factory gas distribution system - Google Patents
A system to monitor the use of gas in a factory gas distribution system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2444080A GB2444080A GB0623288A GB0623288A GB2444080A GB 2444080 A GB2444080 A GB 2444080A GB 0623288 A GB0623288 A GB 0623288A GB 0623288 A GB0623288 A GB 0623288A GB 2444080 A GB2444080 A GB 2444080A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- gas
- welding
- consumption
- controller
- consumed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 title description 6
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 53
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 49
- 239000011261 inert gas Substances 0.000 description 4
- HSFWRNGVRCDJHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetylene Chemical compound C#C HSFWRNGVRCDJHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Argon Chemical compound [Ar] XKRFYHLGVUSROY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010003497 Asphyxia Diseases 0.000 description 1
- CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Fe2+ Chemical compound [Fe+2] CWYNVVGOOAEACU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052786 argon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- CFQGDIWRTHFZMQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N argon helium Chemical compound [He].[Ar] CFQGDIWRTHFZMQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000012550 audit Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010891 electric arc Methods 0.000 description 1
- QFXZANXYUCUTQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethynol Chemical group OC#C QFXZANXYUCUTQH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000002534 ethynyl group Chemical group [H]C#C* 0.000 description 1
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001307 helium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052734 helium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N helium atom Chemical compound [He] SWQJXJOGLNCZEY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000000737 periodic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17D—PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES
- F17D5/00—Protection or supervision of installations
- F17D5/02—Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss
- F17D5/06—Preventing, monitoring, or locating loss using electric or acoustic means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/26—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors
- G01M3/28—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by measuring rate of loss or gain of fluid, e.g. by pressure-responsive devices, by flow detectors for pipes, cables or tubes; for pipe joints or seals; for valves ; for welds
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Arc Welding In General (AREA)
- Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)
- Emergency Alarm Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A gas monitoring system 1 or a method in which predicted gas consumption, drawn from known or demanded performance 11, 31 of one or more individual gas consuming units 2 within the system, is logged and in which actual gas consumed from a gas supply inlet is subsequently measured 23, 24, 26, 27. A controller 10 compares the known performance 11, 31 with the measured consumption 23, 24, 26,27 and the difference between the two - if any - dictates whether the gas consumption over a given monitored period is to be regarded as normal or as abnormal. If the gas consumption is regarded as abnormal the controller 10 can raise an alarm condition to indicate a gas leak in the system.
Description
GAS MONITORING SYSTEM
FieLd of the Invention
: ** The invention relates to systems to monitor the use of a gas in a factory gas distribution system, to detect leaks, system malfunctions, and inappropriate system settings. The invention has particular application in monitoring the use of inert gases in multi-station welding systems.
S
: Background S...
Many industries use gaseous feedstocks as part of a manufacturing or production process.
Historically these were provided by means of individual gas cylinders located at each point of consumption within the factory or production system. As factories have become more streamlined, it is now more common to provide a central gas storage location and to transport the gas around the factory to the various points of use by means of a pipework distribution system. Whilst such a distribution system has clear advantages in servicing the gas requirements of the factory, it becomes increasingly difficult to detect Leaks within the distribution system or to audit the use the gaseous components at each individual point of use. The present invention seeks to overcome many of these difficulties and is presented with particular reference to the use of inert shielding gases in a multi-station electric arc welding facility.
Summary of the Invention
The scope of the invention is defined in the claims at the end of this specification whose contents are specifically incorporated herein as discLosure at this point.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the invention and showing a range of sensors, control elements and input-output devices.
Description of the preferred embodiments
Figure lisa schematic diagram of a multi-station welding facility, generally indicated by 1.
In arc welding processes, shielding gases are used to protect the piece to be welded from the action of atmospheric gases such as nitrogen and oxygen. Various inert gases may be used such as argon and heLium (for non-ferrous welding). Inert gas mixtures may also be is used, such as argon-heLium. For any particular welding operation, there is a particularly ::::. desirable rate of gas flow depending primarily on the weld, the type of shieLding gas *::::* employed as well as the operational parameters of the welding operation itself such as electric current and the overalL speed of the welding operation. As well as ensuring that shielding gas is not wasted, it is clearly important that the shielding gas is used at an :: 20 optimal rate to ensure good quality welds. I* *
: In the welding facility iLlustrated in figure 1, elements of each of the welding stations are enclosed within the indicated box 2. In this instance, the welding station 2 comprises a supply of welding wire 3 and shielding gas flow meter 4, a manually-operable flow control valve 5, a welding arc detector 6 and an environmental gas monitor 7.
The welding gas is fed from a central storage location through a total gas flow meter 8 and distributed to a number of welding stations via a pipework system. Each welding station, or group of welding stations, may be isolated from the system by means of a welding station shut-off valve 9.
At the heart of the gas monitoring system is a controLler 10. The controller 10 may be conveniently implemented in software using e.g. an industrial microcomputer, or may be conveniently implemented using programmable Logic controllers. Information 11 concerning the shielding gas requirements in relation to the welding operation, details of the times of operation of the welding station and other key matters is Loaded onto the controLler 10.
The various eLements of the welding facility send or receive information to or from the controller by means of appropriate transducers and control signals. For example, the main shielding gas flow meter 8 may have the form of a mass flow meter to transmit output reading 28 to the controller 10. Similarly the flow meter 4 at each welding station may transmit its measured flow rate 24 to the controller 10. The periodic use of welding wire may readily be monitored by e.g. weighting the drum of welding wire 3 at intervals to determine wire usage 23 which may then be transmitted to the controller 10. In order to determine the active periods of arc welding, a weLding current or spark detector 6 maybe empLoyed to determine the intervals of welding operations; alternatively a direct measure of the welding current may be made. In either case the signaL quantifying the welding duty time 26 may be readily transmitted to the controller 10. * *. * S S *5**
*. * In its basic form, the gas monitoring system acts by logging the daily gas consumption by 5..
the factory. This gas consumption can be compared to the information 11 stored in the controller 10 and the two figures compared to determine whether the gas consumption is normal or abnormal. * .
:: : With this configuration, the system is also capable of carrying out simple gas leak * detection. The operating periods of the welding facility are programmed into the controller 10. This information could comprise e.g. the operating hours and shut down breaks of the welding operators. For example, if the welding facility operates two shifts per day then the information 11 provided to the controller 10 might indicate that the factory will be shut down between the hours of 10.OOpm and 6.OOam. During this time period, the controller can log the gas flow through the main flow meter 8 by means of its transmitted signal 8; if any gas flow should occur during this time the controller can raise an alarm condition to indicate a gas Leak in the system.
In other circumstances, e.g. if the factory is in operation for 24 hours per day, then the information 11 provided to the controller 10 might detail the rest or meal breaks in operation in the factory so that the controller 10 can carry out the leak detection during those periods.
In a more sophisticated embodiment of the gas monitoring system, one or more solenoid shut-off valves 9 may be installed at preset places within the gas pipework system. The valve, or valves, 9 may be controlled by a signaL 29 from the controller 10. With this facility, should a gas flow be detected from the main gas flow meter 8 during a period when the factoty is not operating, then a sequence of commands within the controller 10 may sequentially isolate sections of the gas distribution pipework by means of the shut-off valve, or vaLves, 9 in order to isolate the location of any gas leakage. In factories using explosive fuel gases (rather than shielding gases in the welding example) the safety benefits of such a system would be extremely useful.
In a yet more sophisticated embodiment of the gas monitoring system, welding stations 2 are provided with a flow meter 4 to measure the flow of shielding gas at the station, and to transmit a signal 24 indicative of the flow rate to the controller 10. Information 11 is supplied to the controlLer to indicate a desired upper and lower limit to the gas flow rate at ::::. each welding station. Should the welding gas flow rate deviate from the desired bounds (e.g. because an operator has manually set the flow rate incorrectly, or as a result of a fault on the system) the controller 10 can be programmed to indicate an alarm condition.
* ***** * * p": 20 As a further feature, welding stations 2 are provided with a welding arc detector set that transmits a signal 26 to the controller 10, the signal being indicative of whether a welding :::: : operation is in process. For example, start or stop signals from the controlLer might be sent * when a welding arc is struck and when the welding current ceases respectively.
Alternatively, the signal 26 might comprise a measure of the welding current being employed. In this way, the controller 10 may readily monitor the welding set to determine whether shielding gas is flowing when there is not welding arc and so detect gas leaks between the outlet and the weLding torch. Again, an alarm condition can be raised by the controller 10 if such a condition arises.
In a yet further sophisticated embodiment of the gas monitoring system, the consumption of welding wire 3 may be measured at the welding station 2. This may be conveniently effected by e.g. measuring the change in weight of the drum containing the welding wire 3 and the measurement 23 transmitted to the controller 10. The ratio of welding wire consumption to shielding gas consumption will be a known parameter of the welding process, as will the range over which this ratio may vary, and this information 11 can be loaded into the controller 10. By this means, the controller may be readily programmed to determine whether the gas usage falls out of the desired parameter range, and again trigger an alarm condition should this be the case.
S In a further embodiment of the system, an environmental gas detector 7 is also provided.
In the case of systems using inert gases which might cause an asphyxiation hazard, especially where used in confined areas, such as in welding operations, the gas monitor 7 may comprise an oxygen monitor atmospheric oxygen concentrations does not fall significantly below around 21%. A measured reading below this would be indicative of a leak of inert shielding gas, and the controller 10 can readily be programmed to detect this and to either raise an alarm, or shut off the gas supply to that particular weLding station 2 by means of the solenoid shut-off valve 9. In situations where fuel gas is being used (e.g. oxy-acetylene cutting), the gas detector 7 might comprise an acetylene monitor, again to directly detect a gas leakage. * S. * . S * S.. * . *.S.
S
* S.... * I *
*5*SS* * S ** I *S.. *. I
IS * I.
Claims (10)
1. A gas monitoring system or method in which predicted gas consumption, drawn from know or demanded performance of one or more individual gas consuming units within the system, is logged and in which actual gas consumed from a gas supply inlet is subsequently measured; and the difference between the two -if any -dictates whether the gas consumption over a given monitored period is to be regarded as normal or as abnormaL.
2. The invention of Claim 1 and in which the performance of the gas consuming units in the system is monitored as those units operate and is fed to a controlling means which co-ordinates the resultant information.
3. The invention of Claim 2 and in which the controlling means compares its information, obtained from the expected and/or demanded and/or operationally : .. logged performance information with that which the controller is simultaneously or substantially simultaneously measuring by way of gas actually consumed; and S..
raises an alarm if the compared difference between the two faiLs to satisfy acceptable parameters.
u'"' 20 * *
4. The invention of Claim 3 and in which the controlling means monitors in real-time the performance of an individual unit within the system -for example a .: welding unit -and determines whether or not gas -for example shielding gas -is flowing adequately or at all and compares that observation with information stored and/or with gas being supplied to the unit; and decides whether or not an alarm is to be raised.
5. The invention of Claim 3 or Claim 4 and in which the controlling means makes its decision on the basis of a comparison of gas being consumed or expected to be consumed, and another parameter whose rate of consumption bears a known relationship to gas consumption.
6. The invention of Claim 5 and in which the other parameter comprises the rate of welding wire consumption.
7. The invention of Claim 6 and in which the rate of welding wire consumption is determined by measuring the change in weight of the drum of wire as it is consumed.
8. The invention of CLaim 5 and in which the other parameter is a measure of atmospheric conditions within or surrounding the system or any monitored unit thereof.
9. A gas monitoring system substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or drawings.
10. A method substantially as described herein. * S. S. S e **.. * S
S
* .Se.S * *
S * S * * ** *S S * S * ,*
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623288A GB2444080B (en) | 2006-11-23 | 2006-11-23 | Gas monitoring system |
| PCT/GB2007/004479 WO2008062205A2 (en) | 2006-11-23 | 2007-11-23 | Gas monitoring system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623288A GB2444080B (en) | 2006-11-23 | 2006-11-23 | Gas monitoring system |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0623288D0 GB0623288D0 (en) | 2007-01-03 |
| GB2444080A true GB2444080A (en) | 2008-05-28 |
| GB2444080B GB2444080B (en) | 2008-10-08 |
Family
ID=37636319
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0623288A Active GB2444080B (en) | 2006-11-23 | 2006-11-23 | Gas monitoring system |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2444080B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2008062205A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ITTO20090882A1 (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2010-02-16 | Carlo Sesia | SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR CONTROL OF WATER CONSUMPTION OF UTILITIES, IN PARTICULAR OF CAR WASHING SYSTEMS |
| GB2472860A (en) * | 2009-08-21 | 2011-02-23 | Gm Global Tech Operations Inc | Method of detecting at least one malfunctioning high-pressure gas tank |
| WO2020136476A1 (en) * | 2018-12-27 | 2020-07-02 | Atlas Copco Airpower, Naamloze Vennootschap | Method for determining and monitoring the gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network |
| BE1026966B1 (en) * | 2018-12-27 | 2020-08-13 | Atlas Copco Airpower Nv | Method for determining and monitoring gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9056366B2 (en) * | 2010-05-21 | 2015-06-16 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Welding gas leak detection system and method |
| CN105699596B (en) * | 2016-01-05 | 2018-05-18 | 济南市大秦机电设备有限公司 | A kind of alarm detection device and its method |
Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06180266A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-06-28 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Monitoring device for abnormality of gas supply equipment |
| JP2003062075A (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2003-03-04 | Yazaki Corp | Monitoring system for medical gas supply |
| WO2004031761A2 (en) * | 2001-08-20 | 2004-04-15 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Gas alert for medical gas system |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3209845A1 (en) * | 1982-03-18 | 1983-09-29 | Küppersbusch AG, 4650 Gelsenkirchen | Liquid-delivery device with a sensor |
| US6105607A (en) * | 1998-06-15 | 2000-08-22 | Caise; Robert F. | Microprocessor controled water shut-off device |
-
2006
- 2006-11-23 GB GB0623288A patent/GB2444080B/en active Active
-
2007
- 2007-11-23 WO PCT/GB2007/004479 patent/WO2008062205A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH06180266A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-06-28 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | Monitoring device for abnormality of gas supply equipment |
| WO2004031761A2 (en) * | 2001-08-20 | 2004-04-15 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Gas alert for medical gas system |
| JP2003062075A (en) * | 2001-08-27 | 2003-03-04 | Yazaki Corp | Monitoring system for medical gas supply |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2472860A (en) * | 2009-08-21 | 2011-02-23 | Gm Global Tech Operations Inc | Method of detecting at least one malfunctioning high-pressure gas tank |
| ITTO20090882A1 (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2010-02-16 | Carlo Sesia | SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR CONTROL OF WATER CONSUMPTION OF UTILITIES, IN PARTICULAR OF CAR WASHING SYSTEMS |
| EP2322842A1 (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2011-05-18 | Carlo Sesia | Car-washing plant equipped with a control system of the consumption of water and/or energy and/or chemical washing products, and related control processes |
| WO2020136476A1 (en) * | 2018-12-27 | 2020-07-02 | Atlas Copco Airpower, Naamloze Vennootschap | Method for determining and monitoring the gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network |
| BE1026966B1 (en) * | 2018-12-27 | 2020-08-13 | Atlas Copco Airpower Nv | Method for determining and monitoring gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network |
| US12002120B2 (en) | 2018-12-27 | 2024-06-04 | Atlas Copco Airpower, Naamloze Vennootschap | Method for determining and monitoring gas consumption in a gas network under pressure or under vacuum and gas network |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2008062205A2 (en) | 2008-05-29 |
| WO2008062205A3 (en) | 2008-09-25 |
| GB0623288D0 (en) | 2007-01-03 |
| GB2444080B (en) | 2008-10-08 |
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