JP2002081745A - Expansion absorption material and freezing damage prevention apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the difficulties with the prior art in which although there is known a prior art technique where closed-cell sponge is disposed on a water passage, it loses a property to absorb volume expansion by repetitive freezing because of its being easily damaged, and the sponge is crushed in a high water pressure region to which tap water is supplied and hence can be not used. SOLUTION: There is disposed an expansion absorption material 21 in a secondary chamber 13 of a water pressure responsive apparatus 6, which material is obtained by molding many capsules capable of changing in their volumes in an elastically deformable rubber material. The capsule is a particle having a diameter of substantially 10 to 300 μm where gas such as inactive gas is covered with a hardened film such as resin, and the amount of absorption of volume expansion and hardness thereof can be freely adjusted depending upon a mixing rate of the capsule, the size of the expansion absorption material 21, and material quality of the rubber material. Upon freezing the volume is expanded owing to water changing to ice to compress the expansion absorption material 21. Hereby, many capsules encapsulated in the expansion absorption material 21 are contracted to contact the expansion absorption material, and hence absorb volume expansion of the water (ice) to prevent freezing damage.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an expansion-absorbing material for preventing breakage of instruments due to freezing of water and a device for preventing freezing damage, and is capable of freezing water such as a water pressure responsive device, a water solenoid valve, and a bypass valve. It can be applied to various fields.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 10-28 discloses this kind of technology.
The technique disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 1556 is known. In this technique, a sponge having a large number of closed cells is arranged in a water passage, and an attempt is made to prevent breakage of instruments by absorbing the expansion of the volume due to freezing of water into the sponge.

[0003]

The sponge used in the prior art is a type of foaming inside a liquid resin (for example, rubber, urethane, etc.) to harden the resin. Since the film becomes thin, there is a problem that the film is easily broken or ruptured due to repeated deformation. Therefore, when contraction and expansion are repeated by repeated freezing,
Since the sponge loses its elasticity and loses the property of absorbing volumetric expansion, it lacks reliability in a portion where repeated freezing occurs.

[0004] A high water pressure (up to 17.5 kgf / cm ² ) is applied to a water channel to which tap water is directly supplied (a water channel before the pressure is reduced by a governor or the like). The members disposed in the water channel in such a high water pressure region include 17.5 kgf.
/ Cm ² or more is required to have a hardness that is not easily deformed.
However, the sponge is easily deformed when high water pressure is applied, and thus cannot be used for a water channel in a high water pressure region. In other words, freezing damage could not be prevented in the high water pressure region.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention for a long period of time without losing the property of absorbing volume expansion even if shrinkage and expansion are repeated by repeated freezing. An object of the present invention is to provide an expansion absorbing material and an anti-freezing breakage device that can stably prevent freezing damage and can be used even in a high water pressure region where high water pressure is applied.

[0006]

The present invention employs the following means to achieve the above object. [Means of Claim 1] The expansion absorbing material is characterized in that a number of capsules that can be deformed in volume are molded in a rubber material that can be elastically deformed, and are arranged in a portion where water exists.

[Means of Claim 2] The freeze damage prevention device is
An expansion absorbent formed by molding a number of volume-deformable capsules into an elastically-deformable rubber material is disposed at a portion where water exists.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the expansion absorbing material or the freeze damage prevention device according to the first or second aspect, the capsule has a diameter such that a gas such as an inert gas is covered with a cured material film such as a resin. It is a particle of 10 to 300 μm.

[0009]

When the water freezes and becomes ice, the volume of the water (ice) expands, so that the expansion absorbing material is compressed. Then
A number of capsules enclosed in the swelling absorber shrink, respectively, and as a result, the swelling absorber shrinks to absorb the volume expansion of water. Thereby, expansion due to freezing of water is alleviated, and damage to instruments, piping, and the like can be prevented.

[0010] Since this expansion absorbing material is formed by molding a large number of capsules capable of deforming volume in an elastically deformable rubber material, it absorbs volume expansion even if contraction and expansion are repeated by repeated freezing. Freezing damage can be prevented stably over a long period without losing properties.

In addition, since the capsule is encapsulated in the rubber material, the shrinkage can be adjusted relatively freely by adjusting the proportion of the encapsulated capsule, and the material used for the rubber material can be adjusted. The strength can be freely adjusted by the method. Therefore, it can be used even in a high water pressure region where a high water pressure is applied. Further, since the capsule is sealed in the rubber material, the shape of the expansion absorbing material can be freely formed.

[Function and Effect of Claim 3] Since the capsules are particles having a diameter of 10 to 300 µm, a small-sized expansion / absorption material can be produced. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange the expansion / absorption material even in a narrow volume where water may freeze.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described using a plurality of examples and modifications. [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a gas water heater including a cross-sectional view of a main part of a hydraulic pressure responsive device. The gas water heater includes a water supply passage 2 from the water inlet to the tap hole 1 and a gas passage 4 from the gas inlet to the gas burner 3.

The water supply passage 2 is located downstream from the upstream side.
A water faucet 5 for opening and closing the flow path, a water pressure responsive device 6 for opening and closing the gas passage 4 in response to the water pressure, and a heat exchanger 7 for heating water passing by heat generated by the gas burner 3 are arranged. The gas passage 4 is provided with an instrument plug 8 that opens and closes a flow path, a water pressure responsive valve 9 that is operated by a water pressure responsive device 6, and a gas injection nozzle 10 that injects gas into the gas burner 3 from the upstream side to the downstream side. I have.

The hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 has a primary chamber 12 and a secondary chamber 13 defined by a diaphragm 11. The primary chamber 12 is a room through which water flows, and the governor valve 1 is coaxial with the diaphragm 11 when water enters the primary chamber 12.
4 are provided. The governor valve 14 is a well-known valve for keeping the flow rate constant even when the supply water pressure fluctuates. A hot water temperature controller 15 is provided in the outlet flow path of the primary chamber 12 for adjusting the tap water temperature by adjusting the amount of water passing therethrough. Then, the water that has passed through the hot water temperature controller 15 is supplied to the heat exchanger 7 through the venturi 16.

The venturi 16 narrows the flow path,
A horizontal hole 17 is provided at right angles to the flow path, and the horizontal hole 17 communicates with the secondary chamber 13. Therefore, when water flows into the venturi 16, the pressure in the secondary chamber 13 decreases through the lateral hole 17 due to the venturi effect, and the diaphragm 11 shifts to the secondary chamber 13 side. Then, the output shaft 1 attached vertically to the diaphragm 11
8 projects outside the hydraulic responsive device 6. Here, the hydraulic pressure responsive valve 9 is provided so as to be opened by receiving a projecting output of the output shaft 18. For this reason, the faucet 5 is opened and the venturi 16 is opened.
When the water flows through the diaphragm 11 and the diaphragm 11 shifts to the secondary chamber 13 side, the water pressure responsive valve 9 acts to open the gas passage 4.

When the faucet 5 is closed, the flow of water in the venturi 16 stops. For this reason, the venturi effect disappears, and the pressure difference between the primary chamber 12 and the secondary chamber 13 disappears,
The diaphragm 11 returns to the original position. That is, the secondary room 1
The diaphragm 11 shifted to the third side returns to the primary chamber 12 side, and the output shaft 18 returns to the inside of the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6. As a result, the water pressure responsive valve 9 acts to close the gas passage 4.

The primary chamber 12 and the secondary chamber 13 of the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 are provided with a drain hole 19 (see FIG. 6) communicating with the outside, and the drain hole 19 is provided with a drain plug 20 (see FIG. 6). 6
See). The water in the primary chamber 12 and the secondary chamber 13 is provided so that the water in the primary chamber 12 and the secondary chamber 13 can be drained to the outside by removing the drain plug 20 by manual operation.

In the secondary chamber 13 of the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6, an expansion absorbing material 21 formed in a substantially donut shape is disposed. The expansion absorbent 21 is obtained by molding a number of capsules capable of deforming volume in a rubber material (e.g., silicone rubber, butyl rubber, EPM, EPDM, NBR, etc.) which can be elastically deformed. It is arranged inside a secondary chamber 13 to which water is supplied through 17.

The capsule has a diameter of 10 to 10 in which a gas such as an inert gas is covered with a cured film (resin, glass, carbon, etc.).
Particles having a size of about 300 μm (for example, 50 μm).
%, The expansion absorbent 21 can obtain a volume contraction of 25%. Then, the volume expansion absorption amount can be adjusted by the mixing ratio of the capsules and the size of the expansion absorbing material 21. Also, depending on the rubber material used,
The hardness of the expansion absorbent 21 can be freely adjusted.

The volume expansion coefficient when water becomes ice is 9.2.
%, All of the volume expansion may be provided so as to be absorbed by the expansion absorbing material 21. However, a portion of the volume expansion of water may be provided so as to be absorbed by the expansion absorbing material 21, and the other volume expansion component is provided. May be prevented from being damaged by the strength of the room accommodating the water.

Next, the operation during freezing will be described. Temperature is 0
If the temperature falls below ℃, if the drainage is neglected, the freezing of the water starts from the water passage, and the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 having a large heat capacity finally freezes. For this reason, the primary room 12 and the secondary room 13
Freezing starts with the water inside trapped. When the water in the primary chamber 12 and the secondary chamber 13 freezes, the volume of the water expands by 9.2%. Due to the expansion, the expansion absorber 21 disposed in the secondary chamber 13 receives a compressive force. Then, many capsules enclosed in the expansion absorbing material 21 contract, and as a result, the expansion absorbing material 21 contracts to absorb the volume expansion of water (ice) (see FIG. 2). Thereby, expansion due to freezing of water is alleviated, and damage to instruments, piping, and the like can be prevented. When the temperature rises and the frozen ice returns to the water, the compressive force on the expansion absorbent 21 is released, so that the expansion absorbent 2
1 returns to its original shape.

As described above, even if the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 freezes due to forgetting to drain water, the expansion / absorption material 21 is compressed and contracted, so that deformation and breakage of the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 can be prevented. In addition, since the expansion absorbing material 21 used is formed by molding a number of capsules capable of deforming volume in an elastically deformable rubber material, even if shrinking and expanding are repeated by repeated freezing, volume expansion does not occur. Freezing damage can be prevented stably for a long time without losing the absorbing property.

Since the structure is such that the capsules are sealed in the rubber material, the shrinkage can be adjusted relatively freely by adjusting the ratio of the capsules to be sealed, and the strength depends on the material used for the rubber material. Can be adjusted freely. In addition, since the structure is such that a number of capsules are molded in the rubber material, the expansion absorbent 21 can be formed into a free shape by a rubber mold. That is, it is possible to obtain the expansion / absorbing material 21 having a shape suitable for the intended use.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a hydraulic pressure responsive device 6. In the above-described first embodiment, the example in which the expansion absorbing material 21 is disposed in the secondary chamber 13 of the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 has been described. However, in the second embodiment, the primary chamber 12 of the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 is provided.
The expansion absorbent 21 is arranged in the inside.

Third Embodiment FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the water solenoid valve 22. In the above-described first and second embodiments, an example has been described in which the expansion absorber 21 is disposed in the hydraulic pressure response device 6 to prevent the hydraulic pressure response device 6 from being damaged. However, in the third embodiment, FIG. As shown, the expansion absorber 21 is disposed in the water passage 23 of the water solenoid valve 22 or in a container filled with water (the armature storage container 24 of the solenoid valve) to prevent the water solenoid valve 22 from freezing and breaking. is there.

Since the expansion / absorption material 21 has a structure in which a capsule is sealed in a rubber material, the strength can be freely adjusted depending on the blending ratio of the capsule and the material used for the rubber material. For this reason, as in this embodiment, the expansion absorbent 21 can be arranged even in a region where high water pressure is applied at the time of flowing water. In other words, the conventional sponge collapses in a region where high water pressure is applied when flowing water, and thus cannot be disposed in a region where high water pressure is applied. However, the expansion and absorption material 21 of the present invention requires 17.5 kgf / cm. Even if it is ² or more, it is possible to obtain a strength that is not easily deformed, and it is also possible to prevent freezing damage at a portion where high water pressure is applied.

Further, as described above, the shape of the expansion / absorption material 21 can be freely shaped, and the diameter of the capsule can be one.
Since the particles have a size of about 0 to 300 μm (for example, 50 μm), a small-sized expansion absorbent 21 can be formed. For this reason, it becomes possible to arrange the expansion absorbent 21 even in a narrow volume where water may freeze, such as in the armature storage container 24 of the solenoid valve. Further, as in this embodiment, by arranging the expansion absorbing material 21 at the corner where cracks easily occur in the water passage 23, stress concentration on the corner during freezing can be reduced. For this reason, freezing damage can be efficiently prevented by the small expansion absorbent 21.

Fourth Embodiment FIG. 5 shows a bypass servo valve 2
5 is a sectional view of FIG. The fourth embodiment shows an example in which a cylindrical expansion-absorbing material 21 is disposed in a water passage 23 of a bypass servo valve 25.

[Modification] In the first and second embodiments,
Although the example in which the expansion absorbing material 21 is arranged inside the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6 is shown, as shown in FIG. 6, the expansion absorbing material 21 is disposed in a portion of the governor valve 14, for example, in a high pressure region in the hydraulic pressure responsive device 6. The expansion absorbent 21 may be provided. Further, the secondary chamber 2 of the on-off valve 26 provided integrally with the water pressure responsive device 6 is provided.
The expansion absorbent 21 may be arranged in the inside 7.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the expansion absorbing material 21 is disposed inside the water pressure responsive device 6, the water solenoid valve 22, and the bypass servo to prevent freezing damage. Needless to say, the expansion absorbing material 21 may be disposed at a portion where water exists, such as a water channel, to prevent breakage due to freezing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a gas water heater including a cross-sectional view of a main part of a water pressure response device (first embodiment).

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the hydraulic pressure response device during freezing (first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a main part of a hydraulic pressure response device (second embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a water solenoid valve (third embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a bypass servo valve (fourth embodiment).

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a water pressure response device (modification).

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 Water pressure response device 21 Expansion absorber 22 Water solenoid valve 25 Bypass servo valve

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Akihito Hachiya 2-26, Fukuzumi-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya Rinnai Co., Ltd. In-company (72) Inventor Ichiro Watanabe 1-23-28-801 Esakacho, Suita-shi, Osaka Nippon Sangyo Co., Ltd.F-term (reference) 2D060 BA07 BC17 3H057 AA05 BB46 CC02 DD02 EE02 FA22 HH03 HH24

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An expansion absorbing material for preventing freezing damage, wherein a number of capsules capable of volume deformation are molded in an elastically deformable rubber material, and are disposed in a portion where water is present. 2. An apparatus for preventing freezing damage, comprising a plurality of volume-deformable capsules molded in an elastically deformable rubber material and an expansion / absorption material disposed in a portion where water is present. 3. The expansion-absorbing material or the device for preventing freezing damage according to claim 1, wherein the capsule is a particle having a diameter of 10 to 300 μm in which a gas such as an inert gas is covered with a cured material film such as a resin. An expansion-absorbing material or a device for preventing freezing damage, characterized in that: