JP2002227257A - Pressure tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pressure tank in which the structure of an abnormality water reception detector installed to the pressure tank is simplified and an increase in cost can be prevented while the abnormality water reception detector can detect the abnormality of the pressure tank surely. SOLUTION: The pressure tank has the abnormality water reception detector 66 with light-emitting means 39 and 41 emitting detecting light to a bladder 53, a light-receiving sensor 43 receiving reflected light generated by reflection by the bladder 53 of detecting light and outputting a signal when the intensity of reflected light reaches a fixed value and abnormality discriminating means 47, 49 and 51 discriminating the presence of the abnormality of the pressure tank 52 on the basis of the signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pressure tank having, for example, a bladder or a diaphragm in a water supply system of a building or an apartment house, which is used to make water pressure of a water tap on each floor substantially constant. It is about.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a water supply system in a building, for example,
There is one as shown in FIG. In FIG.
Each of the floors is provided with water taps 12a to 12d, and each of the taps 12a to 12d is connected to a water pipe 14 led to the basement of the building 10 through a pipe 20.

[0003] A water pipe 14 which is led under the building 10
The water pressure of the water supply tap 12a,
There is no shortage to spout water vigorously from 12b,
Since the water pressure is insufficient to discharge water vigorously from the faucets 12c and 12d on the third and fourth floors higher than that, the above-mentioned water is supplied between the pipe 20 connected to the faucets 12a to 12d and the water pipe 14. Booster pump 16 for increasing the discharge pressure of water
Is provided.

However, if only the booster pump 16 is provided, the booster pump 16 must be operated each time water is discharged from the faucets 12a to 12d, so that the discharge pressure of water from the faucets 12a to 12d is not stable. , The load on the booster pump 16 due to frequent repetition of operation reduces the durability of the booster pump 16.
Piping 20 between 2a-12d and booster pump 16
Is connected to a water supply pressure tank 18 (pressure tank).

[0005] As shown in FIG.
A bladder 25 formed of an elastic material such as rubber is stored inside the bladder 25 (bladder type pressure tank), and inside the bladder 25 there is a pipe 20 (see FIG. 4) communicating with the bladder. The water W enters and expands, and the water pressure in the bladder 25 is balanced with the gas pressure in the space 18 a in the water supply pressure tank 18.

[0006] The bladder 25 of such a water supply pressure tank 18
When water is discharged from the faucets 12a to 12d (see FIG. 4) by introducing a predetermined amount of water W from the pipe 20, the bladder 25 shrinks by the amount of the discharged water. I have. This allows the faucets 12a-12
Since the discharge pressure of water from d is kept substantially constant, the booster pump 16 does not need to be operated every time water is discharged from the faucets 12a to 12d. Booster pump 1
6 starts the operation after the water in the bladder 25 is considerably reduced, and replenishes the bladder 25 with water.

As described above, since the discharge pressure of water from the faucets 12a to 12d is related to the water pressure of the water W in the bladder 25 of the water supply pressure tank 18, the discharge pressure is stabilized and the operation frequency of the booster pump 16 is increased. Is reduced, and the load due to the operation is reduced, so that the durability can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply pressure tank 18 is provided with an abnormal water receiving detecting device 28 on its side. The configuration of the abnormal water receiving detection device 28 provided in the water supply pressure tank 18 will be described with reference to FIG. That is, as shown in the figure, a hole 19 is formed on a side of a predetermined height of the water supply pressure tank 18, and the base end of the cylindrical member 30 is provided outside the water supply pressure tank 18 in accordance with the hole 19. Are attached by welding.

A flange 32 is attached to the distal end of the cylindrical member 30 by welding, and a disk-like lid 34 arranged on the flange 32 is provided with a plurality of bolts provided on the periphery thereof. The opening at the tip of the cylindrical member 30 is closed by being fixed to the flange 32 by 36. The space between the flange 32 and the lid 34 is hermetically sealed by an O-ring 38.

Between the distal end of the cylindrical member 30 and the lid 34, there is a cylindrical pressing member 4 fitted inside the cylindrical member 30.
The flange 40a at one end of the “0” is sandwiched and pressed. An inner flange portion 40b is formed on the other end side of the holding member 40. An intermediate portion of the length of the cylindrical pressing member 44 is provided between the inner flange portion 40b and the compression spring 42 in the holding member 40. Is sandwiched between the flange portions 44b. The head 44a of the pressing member 44 is disposed so as to project from the hole 19 of the water supply pressure tank 18 into the space 18a.

A cavity is formed inside the pressing member 44 and opens to the lid 34 side, and a cylindrical magnet 46 is fitted in the cavity. This magnet 46 is
An external force is applied to the head 44a of the compression spring 42.
When the pressing member 44 is displaced in the axial direction due to overcoming the elastic force of the pressing member 44, the pressing member 44 is displaced integrally with the pressing member 44.

A distal end of a detection shaft 48 is loosely inserted into a shaft hole of the magnet 46, and a base end of the detection shaft 48 is fixed to the lid 34. A magnetic sensing sensor (not shown) that is turned on in a non-contact manner by magnetism is built in a sealed room inside the position P of the detection shaft 48, and the magnetic sensing sensor is in a cavity inside the pressing member 44. It is not affected by the pressure (the same as the pressure in the space 18a).

A lead wire (not shown) connected to the magnetic sensor is guided to the outside of the lid 34 through a shaft hole of the detection shaft 48, and is passed through a terminal (not shown) in the terminal box 50. It is designed to be electrically connected to an electric circuit below the figure.

The operation of such a conventional abnormal water receiving detector 28 will be described below. As mentioned above, bladder 2
The water pressure in the space 5 is balanced with the gas pressure in the space 18a in the water supply pressure tank 18. However, if the gas in the space 18a leaks outside the water supply pressure tank 18 for some reason, the gas pressure in the space 18a decreases and The balance breaks down.

For this reason, even if the water pressure in the bladder 25 does not change, the water pressure in the bladder 25 becomes relatively larger than the gas pressure in the space 18a, and the bladder 25
In 8, it expands to a height position where it does not expand normally. If the bladder 25 expands further, the bladder 25 ruptures, and the water supply pressure tank 18 cannot perform its original function. In addition to the gas leakage described above, bladder 2
The same occurs when the rubber material 5 is deteriorated and softened.

For this reason, the bladder 25 is connected to the water supply pressure tank 18.
When the bladder 25 expands to a height such that it does not expand under normal conditions, the head 44a of the pressing member 44 of the abnormal water receiving detection device 28 provided at such a height position. Then, the pressed pressing member 44 overcomes the elastic force of the compression spring 42 and is displaced in the axial direction toward the lid 34 side.

Then, the magnet 46 is also displaced together with the pressing member 44 and approaches the position P of the detection shaft 48, so that the magnetic sensing sensor built at the position P of the detection shaft 48 is turned on.
Becomes When the fact that the magnetic sensor is turned on is transmitted to an external electric circuit via a lead wire, an alarm device or the like can be activated to notify a monitoring person of the fact. Water pressure tank 1
8 can be repaired.

[0018]

However, in such a conventional apparatus for detecting abnormal water receiving of the water supply pressure tank 18, such a pressing member 40, a compression spring 42, a pressing member 44, a magnet 46, a detection shaft 48, and the like are provided. Since the number of parts to be used is large, and a very special and expensive dedicated product such as a magnetic sensor in a closed room in the detection shaft 48 is used, the abnormal water receiving device 28 However, there is a problem that the cost of the feedwater pressure tank 18 having the above problem cannot be avoided.

Further, since the material of the bladder 25 is stiff like a dry cloth glued after washing, for example, and each part does not swell evenly, the abnormal water detecting device 28 provided at a predetermined position is provided. The bladder 25 that has swelled does not always come into contact with the head 44a of the pressing member 44.

For this reason, even if the bladder 25 bulges abnormally due to abnormal water receiving, the abnormal water receiving detecting device 28 may not always be able to detect the bladder 25, and it is particularly likely that the abnormal water receiving pressure will occur in a small water supply pressure tank.

FIG. 6 shows a pressure tank such as a tank-in-tank type water supply pressure tank 58 (see FIG. 3) having a double structure having an in-tank 60 therein. Such a conventional abnormal water receiving detection device 28 cannot be used.

Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention can prevent the structure of the abnormal water receiving device provided in the pressure tank from being simple and increase the cost, and also ensure that the abnormal water receiving detecting device is reliable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure tank capable of detecting an abnormality of the pressure tank.

[0023]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a pressure tank according to the present invention comprises a light emitting means for emitting detection light to a bladder or a diaphragm, and the detection light is generated by being reflected by the bladder or a diaphragm. A light receiving sensor that receives reflected light to be transmitted and outputs a signal when the intensity of the reflected light reaches a predetermined value, and abnormality determining means that determines whether or not the pressure tank is abnormal based on the signal. This is a configuration provided with a water receiving detection device.

[0024]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram referred to for describing the pressure tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a water supply pressure tank 52 (pressure tank) according to the first embodiment has a bladder 5 inside.
3 is a bladder type pressure tank in which a hole 21 is formed at a predetermined height side, and a base end of the cylindrical member 30 is provided outside the water supply pressure tank 52 in accordance with the hole 21. Are attached by welding.

A flange 32 having a flange shape is attached to the distal end of the cylindrical member 30 by welding. A plurality of bolts provided around the periphery of the disk-shaped lid 34 arranged on the flange 32 are provided. It is fixed to the flange 32 by 36, whereby the opening at the tip of the cylindrical member 30 is closed. The space between the flange 32 and the lid 34 is hermetically sealed by an O-ring (not shown).

A light-emitting member 39 such as a semiconductor light-emitting element is provided inside the end of the cylindrical member 30 on the water supply pressure tank 52 side.
The light-emitting member 39 is driven by a light-emitting drive circuit 41 connected to a power supply (not shown) so that detection light such as invisible infrared light is emitted toward the inside of the water supply pressure tank 52. Has become.

A light-receiving member 43 (light-receiving sensor) such as a semiconductor light-receiving element is provided inside the end of the cylindrical member 30 on the side of the water supply pressure tank 52 and facing the light-emitting member 39. When the bladder 53 in the tank 52 expands abnormally as shown in the figure, the detection light from the light emitting member 39 is reflected by the bladder 53 to receive the reflected light.

The detection light emitted from the light emitting member 39 may not be reflected such that the reflected light is directed toward the light receiving member 43 due to the surface roughness and unevenness of the bladder 53. Therefore, irregular reflection is generated in the detection light by applying a silver paint film 45 on the surface of the bladder 53, and at least a part of the irregularly reflected light is received by the light receiving member 43.

The intensity of the reflected light (analog value) is reflected on the light receiving member 43 by the magnitude (digital value) of the current or voltage.
A / D conversion circuit 47 for converting the A / D
The conversion circuit 47 is connected to a comparison circuit 49 for comparing the magnitude of the current, the voltage or the like with a preset reference value (digital value). The comparison circuit 49 is connected to a CPU 51 (control means). The CPU 51 is connected to an alarm 56 (alarm means) and a power-off drive circuit 54 so as to be able to output a command signal.

The light emitting member 39 and the light emitting drive circuit 41 constitute light emitting means, and the A / D conversion circuit 47 and the comparison circuit 49 determine whether there is an abnormality in water reception based on a signal from the light receiving member 43. The light emitting means, the light receiving member 43 and the abnormality determining means constitute an abnormal water detecting device 66 as a whole.

The operation of the water supply pressure tank 52 and the abnormal water receiving detector 66 according to the first embodiment will be described below. Under normal conditions, bladder 5
The water pressure of the water W in 3 and the gas pressure of the space 52a in the water supply pressure tank 52 are balanced, and the bladder 53 maintains an appropriate bulge like the bladder 25 shown in FIG. In this case, since the bladder 53 and the hole 21 are separated, the light emitting member 3
9, the intensity of the reflected light that is reflected by the bladder 53 and reaches the light receiving member 43 among the detection lights emitted from the light receiving member 4 is low.
3 does not output a signal.

However, if the gas in the space 52a leaks to the outside of the feed water pressure tank 52 for some reason, the gas pressure in the space 52a decreases and the above balance is lost. For this reason, even if the water pressure in the bladder 53 does not change, the water pressure in the bladder 53 becomes relatively larger than the gas pressure in the space 52a,
As shown in FIG. 1, the bladder 53 expands abnormally in the water supply pressure tank 52 to a height position where it does not expand at normal times.

In this case, since the distance between the bladder 53 and the hole 21 that have abnormally expanded is short, the intensity of the reflected light that reaches the light receiving member 43 is strong, and the light receiving member 43 outputs a signal. The signal output from the light receiving member 43 is an analog value indicating the light intensity, but is converted into a digital signal value by passing through the A / D conversion circuit 47 and output to the comparison circuit 49.

The comparison circuit 49 compares the digital signal value from the A / D conversion circuit 47 with a reference value, and when it is determined that the digital signal value is larger than the reference value, an abnormality signal (ON) for notifying the CPU 51 of an abnormality. Signal).

When the CPU 51 receives an abnormal signal from the comparison circuit 49, the CPU 51 outputs a signal instructing the alarm device 56 to perform an alarm operation, and instructs the power supply disconnection drive circuit 54 to stop the operation of the booster pump 16 so as to stop the operation of the booster pump 16. It outputs a signal instructing the power supply to the pump 16 to be cut off.

According to the feed water pressure tank 52 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the structure of the abnormal water receiving detector 66 is simpler than the conventional abnormal water receiving detector 28. In addition to this, it is possible to prevent the feedwater pressure tank 52 having the abnormal water receiving detection device 66 from becoming expensive.

Since the abnormality can be detected by receiving the reflected light which reflects the detection light, the bladder 53 is pressed by the pressing member 44 as in the conventional abnormal water receiving detector 28.
Since the abnormality can be detected without necessarily pressing such a member, even if it is difficult to detect the abnormality with the conventional abnormal water receiving detection device 28 like a small water supply pressure tank, the abnormality of the pressure tank can be reliably detected. can do.

Further, since the place where the light emitting member 39 and the light receiving member 43 are mounted is completely dark and does not receive any light noise such as sunlight or a light bulb, the abnormal water detecting device 66 can be used without using a complicated correction circuit. Can reliably detect an abnormality in the pressure tank from an optical point of view.

FIG. 2 is a diagram referred to for describing a pressure tank according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
In the feed water pressure tank 55 according to the second embodiment, the CPU circuit 51 connected to the abnormal water receiving detection device 66
In addition, a transmitting device 84 (transmitting means) for transmitting information to a public line is connected to the water supply pressure tank 52 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The transmitting device 84 of the feed water pressure tank 55 according to the second embodiment is provided with a public communication network PCN.
Using a LAN function or an Internet function via a (personal computer network), a receiving device 85 (receiving means) such as a monitoring computer at a remote place
The fact that an abnormality has occurred in the water supply pressure tank 55 can be automatically notified.

For this reason, even if a person from the building having the water supply pressure tank 55 to the service center in a remote place does not need to contact each time, the service center can immediately detect the situation. A service person can be quickly dispatched to a building where the building 55 is located, and repair work on the water supply pressure tank 55 can be started immediately.

FIG. 3 is a diagram referred to for describing a pressure tank according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The water supply pressure tank 58 shown in FIG. 3 is a tank-in-tank type pressure tank. The water supply pressure tank 58 contains therein an in-tank 60 having an uppermost hole 60b inside. Is provided with a flexible partition wall 62 (diaphragm).

When water does not enter the in-tank 60 from the pipe 20, the partition wall 62 is arranged so as to stick to the inner surface of the lower half of the in-tank 60, as shown by a broken line in the figure.
When water W enters the inside through the lower hole 60a of the in-tank 60, the partition wall 62 is lifted upward, but normally the uppermost portion is not lifted as high as illustrated. Room 60 above partition wall 62 in in-tank 60
c and the chamber inside the feed water pressure tank 58 are filled with air, and this gas pressure is balanced with the water pressure of the water W below the partition wall 62.

As shown in the drawing, a hole 64 is formed at the top of the water supply pressure tank 58, and a base end of the cylindrical member 30 is attached to the outside of the water supply pressure tank 58 by welding in accordance with the hole 64. ing.

A light emitting member 39 is provided inside the cylindrical member 30, and a light receiving member 43 is provided inside the cylindrical member 30 at a position facing the light emitting member 39. The light emitting member 39 is connected to the light emitting drive circuit 41 shown in FIG. 1 similarly to the first embodiment, and the light receiving member 43 is connected to the A / D conversion circuit 47 similarly to the first embodiment. It is connected.

The operation of the feed water pressure tank 58 and the abnormal water receiving detecting device according to the third embodiment will be described.
This will be described below. In a normal state, the water pressure of the water W in the partition wall 62 is balanced with the gas pressure in the room inside the space 60c and the water supply pressure tank 58, and the partition wall 62 keeps a moderate bulge lower than that shown in the drawing. In this case, the partition 6
Since the hole 2 and the hole 64 are separated from each other, the intensity of the reflected light of the detection light emitted from the light emitting member 39 that is reflected by the partition wall 62 and reaches the light receiving member 43 is weak, and the light receiving member 43 does not output a signal.

However, for some reason, the water supply pressure tank 5
When the gas in the tank 8 leaks to the outside, the gas pressure in the water supply pressure tank 58 decreases, and the above balance is lost. For this reason, even if the water pressure in the partition wall 62 does not change, the water pressure in the partition wall 62 becomes relatively larger than the gas pressure in the water supply pressure tank 58, and as shown in FIG. And expands abnormally to a height position that does not expand under normal conditions.

In this case, since the distance between the abnormally bulging partition wall 62 and the hole 64 becomes short, the intensity of the reflected light reaching the light receiving member 43 becomes strong, and the light receiving member 43 outputs a signal. The signal output from the light receiving member 43 is an analog value indicating the light intensity, but is converted into a digital signal value by passing through the A / D conversion circuit 47 and output to the comparison circuit 49.

By the way, the light emitting member 39 and the light receiving member 43
According to the distance from the top to the top of the partition wall 62 at the time of abnormality,
The inclination angle of the light emitting member 39 and the light receiving member 43 and the light output intensity of the light emitting member 39 can be adjusted, whereby the abnormality of the water supply pressure tank 58 can be reliably detected.

In FIG. 1, the alarm unit 56 and the power supply disconnection drive circuit 54 are connected to the CPU 51 together with the water supply pressure tank 5.
Although the second embodiment has been described, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case where only one of the alarm device 56 and the power-off drive circuit 54 is connected to the CPU 51.

In the above embodiment, the case where one abnormal water receiving detector 66 is provided in the water supply pressure tank 52 has been described. However, the abnormal water receiving detector 66 is provided with an interval in the axial direction of the water supply pressure tank 52. May be provided in plurality. In this case, the detection light is emitted to a plurality of locations on the bladder and the reflected light is received so that the water receiving state of the bladder can be entirely determined.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made by exemplifying the invisible infrared light, but it is needless to say that the visible light may be used. Further, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the abnormality can be reliably detected even in the case of a small pressure tank which is relatively difficult to detect by the conventional method. It is needless to say that it can be detected.

By providing a memory for storing the history of abnormality detection in the pressure tank of the present invention, it can be utilized for higher quality maintenance and the like.

In the above embodiment, the water supply pressure tank 52 of the water supply system has been described. However, the present invention can be applied to pressure tanks of other water supply systems such as a hot water supply system and an air conditioning system. Not even.

By the way, even if an abnormality occurs in the water supply pressure tank 52 and the bladder 53 expands and an abnormality is detected by the abnormal water receiving detector 66, the bladder 53 temporarily contracts when water is discharged from the faucets 12a to 12d. Therefore, there is a possibility that no abnormality is detected, and the abnormality is not detected until the bladder 53 expands again and the abnormality is detected by the abnormal water receiving detection device 66.

Therefore, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormal water detection device 66, the CPU circuit 51 may keep the ON signal. In this case, the CPU circuit 5
Numeral 1 allows the alarm device 56 to keep the alarming operation and the booster pump 16 to stop.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been specifically described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may be variously modified based on the technical idea of the present invention. Can be changed.

[0059]

As described above, according to the pressure tank of the present invention, the structure of the abnormal water detecting device provided therein can be prevented from being simple and costly, and the abnormal water detecting can be prevented. The device can reliably detect the abnormality of the pressure tank.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a water supply pressure tank 52 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a water supply pressure tank 55 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a water supply pressure tank 58 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an internal side view of a building 10 showing a general water supply system.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical sectional view showing a water supply pressure tank 18 of the water supply system of FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional apparatus 2 for detecting an abnormal water reception of the water supply pressure tank 18.
FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 building 12a-12d faucet 14 water pipe 16 booster pump 18 water supply pressure tank 18a space 19 hole 20 piping 21 hole 25 bladder 28 abnormal water detection device 30 cylindrical member 32 flange 34 lid 36 bolt 38 O-ring 39 light emitting member 40 pressing member 40a Flange part 40b Inner flange part 41 Light emission drive circuit 42 Compression spring 43 Light receiving member 44 Pressing member 44a Head 44b Flange part 45 Silver paint film 46 Magnet 47 A / D conversion circuit 48 Detection axis 49 Comparison circuit 50 Terminal box 51 CPU 52 Water supply pressure tank 52a space 53 bladder 54 power supply disconnection drive circuit 55 water supply pressure tank 56 alarm 58 water supply pressure tank 60 in tank 60a, 60b, 64 hole 60c space 62 partition wall 66 abnormal water receiving detecting device 84 transmitting device 8 Receiving apparatus PCN public communication network

Continued on front page F-term (reference) 2D060 AA01 AA10 3H082 AA01 DA19 DA24 DA39 DA41 DA47 EE20 3H086 AA14 AB02 AD07 AD13 AD14 AD70

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A light emitting means for emitting detection light to a bladder or diaphragm; and a reflected light generated by reflection of the detection light by the bladder or diaphragm is received, and the intensity of the reflected light reaches a predetermined value. A pressure tank comprising: an abnormal water receiving detection device having a light receiving sensor that outputs a signal in the case; and an abnormality determining unit that determines whether the pressure tank is abnormal based on the signal. 2. An alarm means is operated when the abnormal water receiving detecting device detects an abnormality of the pressure tank, and / or
2. The pressure tank according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the booster pump to stop. 3. The pressure tank according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting means for transmitting to the receiving means via a public communication line that the abnormal water receiving detecting device detects the abnormality of the pressure tank. . 4. A plurality of abnormal water receiving detectors are provided at intervals in the axial direction of the pressure tank, and detection light is emitted and received at a plurality of locations on the bladder so that the overall receiving condition of the bladder can be determined. The pressure tank according to claim 1, wherein