JP2002250525A - Device for detecting pressure abnormality of warm water system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely detect pressure abnormality regardless of drive condition of a circulating pump, concerning a pressure abnormality detector which detects the abnormality of the circulating circuit of a warm water system such as a warm water heating system, a warm water thawing system, etc. SOLUTION: This is a pressure abnormality detector which detects the pressure abnormality within the circulating circuit 9 of the warm water system, and this pressure abnormality detector is equipped with a pressure sensor 13 which detects the pressure level within the circulating circuit 9, an abnormal pressure level setting means 14 which sets the upper limit pressure level (lower limit pressure level) geared to the drive condition of the circulating pump 8, and a pressure abnormality judging means 15 which judges the existence of pressure abnormality by comparing the pressure level detected by the pressure sensor 13 with the upper limit pressure level (lower limit pressure level) set by the abnormal pressure level setting means 14.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting abnormal pressure in a hot water system such as a hot water heating system used for floor heating or hot water type hot air heating, or a hot water snow melting system used for roof snow melting or road heating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of hot water system, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 55-5612, a heater for heating hot water and a heat for heating hot water are provided in a circulation circuit for circulating hot water. In order to detect an abnormality in a circulation circuit of a hot water system including a radiator that dissipates heat, a circulation pump that circulates hot water, and an expansion tank that absorbs expansion of the hot water, an operation is performed when the expansion tank expands to a certain degree or more. A pressure detection switch and a water leakage detection switch that is activated when the switch is contracted to a certain degree or more to detect an abnormal rise in system pressure in the circulation circuit or an abnormality in the circulation circuit such as water leakage, As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-185218, a pressure sensor is provided in a circulation circuit in place of the switch, and when the pressure level to be detected falls below a predetermined level stored in advance, an abnormality occurs. It was something that was to detect.

[0003]

However, in the former conventional one, the operating points of the switches for both the overpressure detection switch and the water leakage detection switch are determined mechanically at fixed points. Since the pressure level is constant to detect abnormalities, it is not considered that the pressure level in the circulation circuit fluctuates due to driving of the circulation pump, and the pressure level in the circulation circuit is high when the circulation pump is stopped. In this case, the difference from the pressure level for detecting water leakage is large, and the detection of water leakage becomes dull. Conversely, when the pressure level in the circulation circuit is low when the circulation pump is driven, the difference from the pressure level for detecting overpressure is large, and overpressure detection is performed. And the accuracy of abnormality detection varies depending on the driving state of the circulating pump, resulting in a lack of reliability.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a heater for heating hot water and a radiator for radiating heat of the hot water in a circulation circuit for circulating hot water. A pressure abnormality detecting device for detecting a pressure abnormality in a circulation circuit of a hot water system comprising a circulation pump for circulating hot water, wherein the pressure abnormality detection device detects a pressure level in the circulation circuit. A sensor, an abnormal pressure level setting means for setting an upper limit pressure level according to a driving state of the circulating pump, and comparing a pressure level detected by the pressure sensor with an upper limit pressure level set by the abnormal pressure level setting means. Pressure abnormality judging means for judging the presence or absence of pressure abnormality.

Thus, the abnormal pressure level setting means sets the upper limit pressure level in consideration of an appropriate pressure change depending on the driving state of the circulating pump, and the pressure level in the circulating circuit becomes the upper limit pressure corresponding to the driving state of the circulating pump. When the pressure exceeds the level, the pressure abnormality determination means determines that the pressure abnormality has occurred, so that the pressure abnormality can be quickly and accurately detected regardless of the driving state of the circulation pump.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a circulation system for circulating hot water includes a heater for heating the hot water, a radiator for radiating heat of the hot water, and a circulation pump for circulating the hot water. A pressure abnormality detection device that detects a pressure abnormality in a circuit, the pressure abnormality detection device includes a pressure sensor that detects a pressure level in the circulation circuit, and a lower limit pressure level according to a driving state of the circulation pump. Abnormal pressure level setting means for setting, and pressure abnormality determining means for comparing the pressure level detected by the pressure sensor with a lower limit pressure level set by the abnormal pressure level setting means to determine the presence or absence of a pressure abnormality. It was taken.

Thus, the abnormal pressure level setting means sets the lower limit pressure level in consideration of an appropriate pressure change depending on the driving state of the circulation pump, and the pressure level in the circulation circuit is adjusted to the lower limit pressure corresponding to the driving state of the circulation pump. When the pressure becomes lower than the level, the pressure abnormality determination means determines that the pressure abnormality has occurred, so that the pressure abnormality can be detected quickly and accurately regardless of the driving state of the circulation pump.

Here, the abnormal pressure level setting means includes:
One or both of the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level are set, and the abnormal pressure level setting means of claim 1 only has to set at least the upper limit pressure level, and the abnormal pressure level setting means of claim 2 has at least the lower limit pressure level. It is sufficient that the pressure level can be set, and it is not always necessary to set both the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level simultaneously.

The driving state of the circulating pump described in claims 1 and 2 means at least a stopped state and a driving state of the circulating pump. In the case of a circulating pump having a variable capacity, for example, a driving state at 50% capacity. Are included in the driving state of the circulation pump.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pressure abnormality detecting device includes a notifying means for notifying that a pressure abnormality has occurred when the pressure abnormality determining means determines that there is a pressure abnormality.

Accordingly, when the pressure level in the circulation circuit becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure level or equal to or lower than the lower limit pressure level and the pressure abnormality determination means determines that the pressure is abnormal, the occurrence of the pressure abnormality is reported by the notification means. It can be notified that a pressure abnormality has occurred in the hot water system, and the administrator of the hot water system can take appropriate measures.

The notification mode of the notification means is as follows.
Some alarms emit a warning sound, and a display indicates that an abnormal pressure has occurred.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the pressure abnormality detection device stops the operation of the hot water system when the pressure abnormality is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more.

[0014] Thus, it is possible to prevent the hot water system from continuing to be operated in a dangerous state while the abnormal pressure generation state continues, and to ensure the safety of the hot water system.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the pressure abnormality detecting device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Reference numeral 1 denotes a heater for heating hot water (a circulating liquid or an antifreeze liquid). In this embodiment, the hot water in the can body 3 is heated by a burner 2. The heater 1 is not limited to this configuration, and may be, for example, a heater using an electric heater or an indirect heat exchange heater that exchanges heat with hot water heated by another heat source.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a radiator for radiating heat of the hot water. In this embodiment, a copper hot water pipe 5 is meanderingly piped below the floor to heat the floor. The radiator 4 is not limited to this configuration. For example, a radiator 4 may be provided with a hot-water type hot-air heater, which is provided with aluminum fins in a copper hot-water pipe and blows air with a fan to perform hot-air heating, or an iron radiator panel. It may be a radiator for heating or a radiator for snow melting used for roof snow melting or road heating.

Reference numerals 6 and 7 denote a forward pipe and a return pipe which connect the heater 1 and the radiator 4 so that hot water can circulate.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a circulation pump provided in the forward pipe 6. When the circulation pump 8 is driven, hot water circulates between the heater 1 and the radiator 4 to generate heat for heating or melting snow. The heater 1, the radiator 4, the forward pipe 6, the return pipe 7, and the circulation pump 8 constitute a circulation circuit 9 through which hot water can be circulated.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a steam-water separator provided in the forward pipe 6, and reference numeral 11 denotes an overpressure relief valve. The overpressure relief valve 11
When the pressure in the circulation circuit 9 exceeds a preset overpressure level, the valve is opened to release the overpressure.

Reference numeral 12 denotes an expansion tank provided in the return pipe 7, which absorbs volume expansion caused by heating the hot water in the closed circulation circuit 9 by the heater 1. In addition,
In this embodiment, the closed hot water system is used, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a semi-closed hot water system may be used.

A pressure sensor 13 is provided between the radiator 4 of the return pipe 7 and the expansion tank 12, and detects a pressure level in the circulation circuit 9. The mounting position of the pressure sensor 13 is not limited to the position of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. For example, the pressure sensor 13 may be installed in a circulation circuit in the immediate vicinity of the expansion tank 12 which is hardly affected by the volume expansion of the hot water, It may be installed in a circulation circuit near the suction side of the circulation pump 8 that is not easily affected by the drive of the circulation pump 8.

An abnormal pressure level setting means 14 detects the driving state of the circulating pump 8 and sets an abnormal pressure level in accordance with the driving state of the circulating pump 8. This abnormal pressure level is an upper limit pressure level or a lower limit pressure. The upper limit pressure level is set to detect an overpressure condition of the hot water system, and the lower limit pressure level is set to detect a leak of the hot water system.

Here, the pressure level of the circulating circuit 9 changes according to the driving state of the circulating pump 8, and the appropriate pressure level in the circulating circuit 9 is, for example, as shown in FIG. Therefore, the pressure level is high, and the pressure level is low when the circulating pump 8 is driven. As described above, the pressure level in the circulating circuit 9 changes according to the driving state of the circulating pump 8. The abnormal pressure level setting means 15 sets an abnormal pressure level (an upper limit pressure level and a lower limit pressure level) that is increased or decreased by a fixed ratio with respect to the appropriate pressure level in consideration of an appropriate pressure change with respect to the driving state of the circulating pump 8. Is what you do.

The abnormal pressure level (upper limit pressure level and lower limit pressure level) is stored in advance in the abnormal pressure level setting means 14 as data corresponding to the driving state of the circulation pump 8, and Data of abnormal pressure levels (upper limit pressure level and lower limit pressure level) corresponding to the occasional driving state is read and set.

It should be noted that this does not prevent the setting of only one of the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level as the abnormal pressure level. This does not prevent the other from being set at a constant level regardless of the driving state of the circulation pump 8.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a circulating circuit 9 for detecting an abnormal pressure level (an upper limit pressure level and a lower limit pressure level) set by the abnormal pressure level setting means 14 and the pressure sensor 13.
Pressure abnormality judging means for comparing the pressure level in the
When the pressure level in the circulation circuit 9 detected by the pressure sensor 13 becomes higher than the upper limit pressure level set by the abnormal pressure level setting means 14 or lower than the lower limit pressure level, it is determined that the pressure is abnormal. It should be noted that the content of the pressure abnormality may be distinguished and determined such that when the detected system pressure is equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure level, it is determined that the pressure is excessive, and when the detected system pressure is equal to or lower than the lower limit pressure level, it is determined that the water leaks.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a notifying means for notifying that the pressure abnormality has occurred when the pressure abnormality judging means 15 determines that a pressure abnormality has occurred, and a piezoelectric buzzer (not shown) as a form of the notification. May generate a warning sound,
A display (not shown) that displays an error code indicating an abnormal pressure, or a combination of a warning sound and an error code may be used. If the notification means 16 is provided in a remote control device (not shown) of the hot water system, the notification of the pressure abnormality can be easily confirmed.

Further, the pressure abnormality judging means 15 discriminates between overpressure and water leak and transmits the same to the notifying means 16. The contents of the notification by the notifying means 16 are different error codes for overpressure and water leak, respectively. , Or generate a different warning sound to alert you separately.
Appropriate measures can be taken during maintenance.

The upper limit pressure level set by the abnormal pressure level setting means 14 is set at a pressure level higher than the overpressure level by a fixed value above the overpressure level at which the overpressure relief valve 11 is opened. The overpressure relief valve 11
When a failure occurs, it is possible to immediately detect a pressure abnormality.

The pressure abnormality judging means 15 has a timekeeping function. When a pressure abnormality occurs continuously for a predetermined time or more, the operation of the heater 1 and the circulation pump 8 is stopped, and the operation of the hot water system is stopped. Since the safety operation is performed, the operation is not continued in a dangerous state and the circulation circuit 9 is not newly damaged.

The abnormal pressure level setting means 14,
The pressure abnormality determining means 15 functions as one function of a microcomputer (not shown) for controlling the entire hot water system.

Here, the operation of the above-described abnormal pressure detecting apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. First, the abnormal pressure level setting means 14 checks the driving state of the circulating pump 8 and sets it to the driving state. The corresponding abnormal pressure level (one or both of the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level) is set (Step 1, hereinafter abbreviated as S1).

Next, the pressure level in the circulation circuit 9 detected by the pressure sensor 13 is checked (S2), and the detected pressure level is compared with the abnormal pressure level set in S1 (one of the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level). And both) are compared by the pressure abnormality determination means 15, and as a result of the comparison, if the detected pressure level is higher than the upper limit pressure level, or if the detected pressure level is lower than the lower limit pressure level, it is determined that there is a pressure abnormality ( S3) The occurrence of pressure abnormality is reported by the reporting means 16 (S4).

When the abnormal pressure state continues for a predetermined time (S5), the operation of the heater 1 and the circulation pump 8 is stopped to stop the operation of the hot water system (S6).

When it is determined in step S3 that there is no pressure abnormality, the steps S1 to S3 are repeated again to constantly check for pressure abnormality.

Also, if the pressure abnormality is eliminated before the state of the pressure abnormality in S5 continues for a predetermined time, the steps from S1 to S3 are repeated again to constantly check for the presence of the pressure abnormality. I have.

As described above, since the abnormal pressure level is set according to the driving state of the circulation pump 8,
Regardless of whether the circulation pump 8 is being driven or stopped, the pressure level in the circulation circuit 9 has exceeded the upper limit pressure level which is the upper limit of the appropriate pressure range, and the pressure level has become excessive. It is possible to quickly and accurately detect the occurrence of water leakage when the pressure falls below the lower limit pressure level, which is the lower limit of the pressure range, so that the detection accuracy of the pressure abnormality is substantially the same between when the circulation pump 8 is driven and when it is stopped. Therefore, the reliability of the pressure abnormality detection is improved.

In particular, in a closed type hot water system that often uses a radiator 4 made of iron, water leakage occurs and the circulation circuit 9
If air is mixed into the inside, the iron radiator 4 will rust and corrode, and it is necessary to accurately detect the occurrence of water leakage. Therefore, the abnormal pressure detecting device of the present invention is very useful.

When the function of adjusting the pressure level in the circulation circuit 9 does not work well due to the failure of the expansion tank 12,
Even if the overpressure relief valve 11 fails and the pressure level in the circulation circuit 9 rises abnormally, double safety is ensured by the abnormal pressure detection device of the present invention, so that the safety of the entire hot water system is improved. Can be very useful.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The circulating pump 8 changes the number of revolutions to increase the circulating capacity to 100% and 5%.
A motor of a type that can be varied with 0% capacity is used.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a pump capacity detecting means for detecting the driving capacity of the circulating pump 8, and specifically detects the driving state of the circulating pump 8 by reading a rotational speed command given to the circulating pump 8. The invention is not limited to this, and the actual rotation speed of the circulation pump 8 may be detected.

The abnormal pressure level setting means 14 adjusts the abnormal pressure level (the upper limit pressure level and the upper limit pressure level) which is increased or decreased by a fixed ratio with respect to the appropriate pressure level in accordance with the driving ability of the circulation pump 8 detected by the pump capacity detecting means 17. (Lower limit pressure level).

For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when the circulating pump 8 having a high appropriate pressure level is stopped, the abnormal pressure levels (the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level) are also set high, and the appropriate pressure level is reduced. 100 low circulation pumps
%, The abnormal pressure level (the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level) is set low, and if the circulating pump 8 is driven at 50% capacity, the circulating pump The appropriate pressure level is between the pressure level when 8 is stopped and the capacity when driving at 100% capacity, and accordingly the abnormal pressure levels (upper and lower pressure levels) are both Is set between the abnormal pressure levels (upper limit pressure level and lower limit pressure level).

In another embodiment, the circulation pump 8
Drive status is "Stop drive""Drive at 100% capacity""
It is divided into three states of "driving at 50% capacity",
In the case where the driving capability of the circulating pump 8 is changed in more stages or linearly, an abnormal pressure level (upper limit pressure level and lower limit pressure level) for the drive capability may be provided. Is not limited.

As described above, in the case where the driving capability of the circulating pump 8 can be controlled, the abnormal pressure level (the upper limit pressure level and the lower limit pressure level) corresponding to the driving state is set, so that the pressure can be more accurately adjusted. The presence or absence of an abnormality can be detected, and the reliability of pressure abnormality detection can be further improved.

[0046]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper limit pressure level is set in consideration of an appropriate pressure change according to the driving state of the circulation pump, and the pressure level in the circulation circuit is set. It is determined that a pressure abnormality has occurred when the pressure becomes equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure level according to the driving state of the circulating pump, so that the pressure abnormality can be detected quickly and accurately regardless of the driving state of the circulating pump. The detection accuracy of the pressure abnormality can be made substantially the same between when the apparatus is driven and when the apparatus is stopped, and the reliability of the pressure abnormality detection can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the lower limit pressure level is set in consideration of an appropriate pressure change according to the driving state of the circulating pump, and the pressure level in the circulating circuit is controlled by the driving of the circulating pump. Since it is determined that a pressure abnormality has occurred when the pressure becomes equal to or higher than the lower limit pressure level corresponding to the state, the pressure abnormality can be detected quickly and accurately regardless of the driving state of the circulating pump. Thus, the detection accuracy of the pressure abnormality can be made substantially the same, and the reliability of the pressure abnormality detection can be improved.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, whether the pressure level in the circulation circuit is equal to or higher than the upper limit pressure level,
Or, when the pressure is equal to or lower than the lower limit pressure level, the occurrence of the pressure abnormality is notified, so that the occurrence of the pressure abnormality in the hot water system can be notified, and the administrator of the hot water system can take appropriate measures. .

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the hot water system from continuing to be operated in a dangerous state while the abnormal pressure state continues, and the safety of the hot water system can be improved. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an upper limit pressure level and a lower limit pressure level of the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the same embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an upper limit pressure level and a lower limit pressure level according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heater 4 Radiator 8 Circulation pump 9 Circulation circuit 13 Pressure sensor 14 Abnormal pressure level setting means 15 Pressure abnormality judging means 16 Notification means

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Fumio Watanabe 7-7 Higashi Shinbo, Sanjo-shi, Niigata F-term (reference) 3L070 DE05 DF11 DG05

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A pressure abnormality in a circulation circuit of a hot water system including a heater for heating hot water, a radiator for radiating heat of the hot water, and a circulation pump for circulating hot water in a circulation circuit for circulating hot water. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure level in the circulation circuit, and an abnormal pressure level for setting an upper limit pressure level according to a driving state of the circulation pump. Setting means, and a pressure abnormality determining means for comparing the pressure level detected by the pressure sensor with an upper limit pressure level set by the abnormal pressure level setting means to determine the presence or absence of a pressure abnormality. Pressure abnormality detection device for hot water system. 2. A pressure abnormality in a circulation circuit of a hot water system including a heater for heating hot water, a radiator for radiating heat of the hot water, and a circulation pump for circulating the hot water in a circulation circuit for circulating the hot water. A pressure sensor for detecting a pressure level in the circulation circuit, and an abnormal pressure level for setting a lower limit pressure level according to an operation state of the circulation pump. Setting means, and pressure abnormality determining means for comparing the pressure level detected by the pressure sensor with the lower limit pressure level set by the abnormal pressure level setting means to determine the presence or absence of a pressure abnormality. Pressure abnormality detection device for hot water system. 3. The pressure abnormality detection device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure abnormality detection device includes a notification unit that notifies that a pressure abnormality has occurred when the pressure abnormality determination unit determines that there is a pressure abnormality. Pressure abnormality detection device. 4. The pressure abnormality detection for a hot water system according to claim 1, wherein the pressure abnormality detection device stops the operation of the hot water system when the pressure abnormality is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more. apparatus.