JP2002323364A - Level gage for bulk storage tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a level gage usable even for a vertically long storage tank. SOLUTION: This level gage is constituted of a pipe member 1 arranged in the storage tank T and having a slide groove 11 formed on its circumference, a rotation axis member 2 held rotatably around the axis inside the pipe member 1, a float member 3 ascending and descending on the slide groove 11 as a guide corresponding to the level of liquid material in the storage tank T, plural first magnetic bodies 4 locked on the circumference of the rotation axis member 2 respectively at prescribed intervals in the axial longitudinal direction, a second magnetic body 5 installed on the float member 3, and a capacity display part 6 for displaying the level of the liquid material based on the angle of axial rotation of the rotation axis member 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid level gauge, and more particularly to a liquid level gauge used in a storage tank (bulk storage tank) for storing a liquid material such as LP gas (liquefied petroleum gas). The present invention relates to a liquid level gauge for detecting a liquid level, that is, a volume.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a storage tank for storing a liquid material such as LP gas, specifically, L in a LP gas cylinder.
When the remaining amount of P gas becomes low or becomes empty, a trader transports the LP gas cylinder by truck, etc., fills the LP gas cylinder with LP gas at the LP gas filling station, and transports it again to the place of use, It was installed at the place of use. Therefore, assuming that the LP gas cylinder can be filled with the LP gas from the vehicle filled with the LP gas while the LP gas cylinder is kept at the place of use, the inventor has previously required the LP gas cylinder to be filled with the LP gas cylinder. By operating the operation knob provided on the gas filling valve to open the LP gas filling passage, and then inserting the LP gas filling nozzle into the LP gas filling port, the check valve is opened and the LP gas filling port is opened. The LP gas cylinder is communicated with the LP gas cylinder to fill the LP gas cylinder, or the LP gas cylinder is filled with the LP gas.
When the gas filling nozzle is inserted, the check valve opens, and at the same time, the LP gas filling passage opens, and the LP gas filling port and L
The present invention proposes an invention in which a P gas cylinder is connected to fill LP gas. According to this, the LP gas cylinder can be filled with the LP gas while the LP gas cylinder is kept at the place of use, which is an excellent invention. However, as a result of further research, the present inventor has found that the LP gas cylinder is placed at the place of use. It was recognized that the development of a liquid level gauge was urgently needed to easily, safely and reliably perform the operation of filling the LP gas. So, looking at the conventional liquid level gauge,
Those shown at 0 and 11 are used. That is, FIG. 10 shows a conventional liquid level gauge used for a horizontally long storage tank. In this conventional level gauge, the storage tank T
Member 10 that moves up and down according to the liquid level of the liquid material inside
1 is attached to one end of the bar-shaped member 102. Further, the rod-shaped member 102 is rotatably supported around the other end. Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the float member that moves up and down in accordance with the liquid position of the liquid material in the storage tank is rotated together with the rod-shaped member, and the remaining amount of the liquid material in the storage tank is determined from the position of the float member that moves up and down. It is configured to detect.

[0003]

However, in the case of the above-mentioned conventional liquid level gauge, since the rod-shaped member to which the float member is attached is rotated, a rotating space is required in the storage tank. For this reason, when such a space cannot be secured, there is a problem that it is difficult to use, for example, a vertically long storage tank.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level gauge that can be used even in a vertically long storage tank.

[0005]

That is, a liquid level gauge according to the present invention comprises a float member which moves up and down in accordance with the liquid level of a liquid substance in a predetermined storage tank, and which extends in the vertical direction of the storage tank. A rotating shaft member held rotatably and axially, a shaft rotation converting unit configured to rotate the rotating shaft member at an angle corresponding to (proportional to) the vertical movement distance of the float member, and a rotating shaft member. And a capacity display unit for displaying a liquid level of the liquid material (capacity in the storage tank) based on an angle of rotation of the shaft (rotation angle).

In the above configuration, the capacity display unit displays the capacity, for example, as being proportional to the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft member. Further, the shaft rotation conversion unit,
A first magnetic body disposed at a predetermined interval in an axial direction of the rotating shaft member; and a second magnetic body provided on the float member. The rotating member is configured to rotate axially by the attraction and repulsion of the magnetic force with the second magnetic body.

In the above structure, for example, the first magnetic body is composed of a plurality of magnets fixed to the outer periphery of the rotary shaft member at predetermined intervals in the axial direction thereof, and each magnet has its magnetic pole. Are shifted by a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotary shaft member. Alternatively, the first magnetic body is composed of a plurality of magnetic portions which are magnetized on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft member at predetermined intervals in an axial direction thereof, and each magnetized portion has its magnetization position set to the rotation position. It is provided so as to be shifted at a predetermined angle in the circumferential direction of the shaft member.

Further, in a more specific example, the storage tank is vertically long, and the rod-shaped member is arranged to extend in a longitudinal direction of the storage tank. The liquid level gauge of the present invention is used, for example, in a bulk storage tank for storing liquefied petroleum gas.

A liquid level gauge according to the present invention is provided in a hollow storage tank which is disposed in a predetermined storage tank, extends in the vertical direction of the storage tank, and has a slide groove extending in the vertical direction on an outer periphery thereof. A pipe member, a rotating shaft member extending in the vertical direction inside the pipe member and held rotatably, and the slide groove as a guide corresponding to the liquid level of the liquid material in the storage tank. A float member that moves up and down, and is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft member at predetermined intervals in the axial direction thereof and the positions of the magnetic poles are shifted by a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotating shaft member. A plurality of first magnetic bodies provided, a second magnetic body provided on the float member, and a liquid level of the liquid material (the storage tank) based on an angle of rotation (rotation angle) of the rotation shaft member. Capacity in tank Characterized by comprising a, a capacity display unit for displaying.

Further, the liquid level gauge of the present invention is provided in a hollow storage tank which is disposed in a predetermined storage tank, extends in the vertical direction of the storage tank, and has a slide groove formed in the outer periphery thereof, the slide groove extending in the vertical direction. A pipe member, a rotating shaft member extending in the vertical direction inside the pipe member and held rotatably, and the slide groove as a guide corresponding to the liquid level of the liquid material in the storage tank. A float member that moves up and down is magnetized on the outer periphery of the rotating shaft member at predetermined intervals in the axial direction thereof, and the position of the magnetization is shifted by a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotating shaft member. A plurality of first magnetic bodies respectively provided in the state, a second magnetic body provided on the float member, and a liquid level of the liquid material based on an angle of rotation (rotation angle) of the rotation shaft member. (Inside the storage tank And the capacity display unit for displaying the capacity),
It is characterized by having.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a liquid level gauge according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Embodiment 1) Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6,
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. First, the liquid level gauge of the first embodiment has the structure shown in FIGS. That is, the liquid level gauge includes a hollow pipe member 1, a rotating shaft member 2, a float member 3, a plurality of first magnetic members 4,
, And a capacitance display section 6.

Here, the pipe member 1 is disposed in the storage tank T so as to extend in the vertical direction of the storage tank T.
More specifically, in the illustrated example, the upper end of the pipe member 1 is fixed to a capacity display unit 6 attached to the upper part of the storage tank T. An elastic member (spring member) 7 is provided at the lower end of the pipe member 1. By the elastic biasing of the elastic member 7, the pipe member 1 is stably and elastically held in the vertical direction even when the liquid level in the storage tank T is shaken. A slide groove (guide groove) 11 is continuously formed in the outer periphery of the pipe member 1 in the vertical direction. In the illustrated example, a pair of slide grooves 11 are formed on both sides of the outer periphery of the pipe member 1, that is, two slide grooves. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and only one slide groove 1 may be used. For example, they may be formed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the pipe member 1. Further, the pipe member 1 is made of a material having corrosion resistance to a liquid material (such as LP gas) stored in the storage tank T.

The rotary shaft member 2 is provided inside the pipe member 1 and extends vertically. More specifically, the upper end of the pipe member 1 is rotatably held by a support 21 attached to the capacity display unit 6 and a support 22 provided at the lower end of the pipe 1. I have.
A magnetic material (magnet) is provided on the upper end of the rotating shaft member 2.
23 are integrally mounted so as to rotate together with the rotation of the rotating shaft member 2. In addition, since the rotating shaft member 2 is preferably lightweight in order to rotate it efficiently, it is preferable that the rotating shaft member 2 is made of a lightweight material, for example, aluminum,
Alternatively, it is made of an aluminum alloy or the like. Similarly, the rotating shaft member 2 may be solid or hollow, but is preferably hollow for weight reduction.

In the example shown, a plastic magnet is used as the first magnetic body 4 more specifically than a magnet. A plurality of first magnetic members 4 are fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating member 2 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the rotating member 2. Here, the first magnetic body 4 is in a state where the position of its magnetic pole (for example, N pole) is shifted at a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotary shaft member 2 (for example, in the axial length direction of the rotary member 2). Approximately 30 ° between two magnetic bodies 4 fixed adjacent to each other
In a shifted state).

The first magnetic body 4 has a hexagonal cross section in the illustrated example. The two opposing sides of the hexagon are magnetized to the N pole and the S pole, respectively. With the hexagonal cross section in this manner, it is easy to form magnetic poles (N pole and S pole) only on two opposing sides. Also,
The work of fixing the first magnetic body to the outer periphery of the rotating member 2 with the magnetic pole positions shifted as described above is easy because the hexagonal cross section makes it possible to easily identify the positions of the N pole and the S pole. There are also advantages, such as conversion.

The float member 3 is made of a lightweight material such as a foamable plastic material (for example, an NBR independent foam). The float member 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape in the illustrated example, and is attached in a state of being loosely fitted to the outer periphery of the pipe member 1 as illustrated. Further, a pin-shaped guide member 32 is fixed to the hole 31 formed in the float member 3 with one end thereof slightly protruding toward the inner peripheral side of the float member 3. And this guide member 32
Slide groove 1 provided at one end of pipe member 1 on the outer periphery of pipe member 1.
1 to engage the float member 3 as described later.
Moves up and down in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid material in the storage tank T using the slide groove 11 as a guide.

A hole 33 formed in the float member 3 is provided.
Is provided with a second magnetic body 5. Here, in the illustrated example, two opposing holes 33 are formed in the float member 3, and the second magnetic body 5 is fixedly provided in each of these holes 33. The two second magnetic members 5 have opposite polarities to the pipe member 1.
Are provided so as to face the outer peripheral surface. More specifically, in FIG. 2, the upper second magnetic body 5 in the figure has an S pole facing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 1, and the lower second magnetic body 5 in the figure has Each N pole is fixed in the hole 33 of the float member 3 so that the N pole faces the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 1.

Here, the first magnetic body 4 and the second magnetic body 5 constitute a shaft rotation converter for rotating the rotary shaft member 2 at an angle corresponding to the vertical movement distance of the float member 3. You.

Further, the capacity display section 6 has an attachment section 61 for attaching the capacity display section 6 to the upper opening of the storage tank T,
And a capacity indicator 62. The capacity indicator 62
A known structure is used in which the pointer 63 is rotated in proportion to or in proportion to the rotation of the upper magnetic body 23 attached to the upper end of the rotating shaft member 2 to change the display capacity. Thereby, the liquid level (capacity) of the liquid material in the storage tank T can be displayed in accordance with the angle of rotation of the rotating shaft member 2.

The operation of the liquid level gauge of the first embodiment having the above configuration will be described below. Referring to FIG. 6, for example, the liquid level of the liquid stored in storage tank T is level L in the figure.
When descending from 1 to the level L2, the float member 3 descends while being guided by the slide groove 11 on the outer periphery of the pipe member 1 as the liquid level falls. Here, the float member 3 descends without rotating due to the engagement between the slide groove 11 and the guide member 32.

As the float member 3 moves up and down as described above, the magnetic force between the second magnetic member 5 provided on the float member 3 and the first magnetic member 4 provided on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft member 2 Of the rotating shaft member 2 is rotated by the suction repulsion. That is, when the first magnetic body 4 and the second magnetic body 5 have a positional relationship as shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic force is attracted (the S-pole and the N-pole are attracted) and the repulsion (the S-poles, or Due to the N poles), the first magnetic body 4 and the rotating shaft member 2 to which the first magnetic body 4 is fixed are rotated in the illustrated direction, and are in the state shown in FIG.

Then, in accordance with the vertical movement of the float member 3, the magnet repulsion of the first magnetic body 4 and the second magnetic body 5 similar to that described above is continuously generated, and as a result, the rotating shaft The member 2 rotates by a predetermined direction and angle in response to the vertical movement of the float member 3. In the liquid level meter of the present embodiment, the rotation angle is converted into the liquid level of the liquid by the capacity display unit 6 and displayed.

Here, as described above, the liquid level gauge of the present embodiment has a structure in which the float member 3 is moved up and down around the outer periphery of the pipe member 1, so that the use thereof is not limited. Can also be used.

(Embodiment 2) Next, a liquid level gauge according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that this liquid level gauge has substantially the same structure as that of the above-described first embodiment except that the configuration of the first magnetic body 4 is different.

That is, in this liquid level meter, the pipe member 4
The rotary shaft member 42 is rotatably inserted into the center of the shaft 1 and a first magnetic body 43 magnetized on the same surface as the peripheral surface of the rotary shaft member 42 is attached. Here, similarly to the first embodiment, a plurality of first magnetic bodies (for example, N poles) 43 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 42 at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the rotating shaft member 2. And the position thereof is shifted by a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotating shaft member 2 (for example, 2 formed adjacent to the rotating member 42 in the axial length direction).
(In a state of being shifted by about 6 ° between the two first magnetic bodies 43). The N-pole rotating member 42
May be configured on the opposite side of the outer circumference of the.

The float member 45 is formed in a cylindrical shape in the illustrated example, and is attached in a state of being loosely fitted to the outer periphery of the pipe member 41 as illustrated. Further, a pin-shaped guide member 47 is fixed to the hole 46 formed in the float member 45 such that one end of the guide member 47 projects slightly toward the inner peripheral side of the float member 45. By engaging one end of the guide member 47 with the slide groove 51 provided on the outer periphery of the pipe member 41, the float member 45 moves the slide groove 51 in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid material in the storage tank T. Move up and down as a guide.

The hole 4 formed in the float member 45
A second magnetic body 49 is attached to 8. Here, in the illustrated example, two opposing holes 48 are formed in the float member 45, and a second magnetic body 49 is fixedly provided in each of these holes 48. And
These two second magnetic bodies 49 are provided such that polarities opposite to each other are directed to the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41.
More specifically, in FIG. 8, the upper second magnetic body 49 in the figure has an S-pole facing the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41, and the lower second magnetic body 49 in the figure has Each of the N poles is fixed in the hole 48 of the float member 3 so that the N pole faces the outer peripheral surface of the pipe member 41.

In the case of the liquid level gauge of the second embodiment configured as described above, the first magnetic body 43 is the same as the peripheral surface of the rotating member 42 without protruding from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating member 42. Since the magnet is formed by direct magnetizing on the surface, the overall size in the radial direction can be reduced and the structure can be simplified as compared with the first embodiment. Note that the operation of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0030]

In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention can provide a liquid level gauge that can be used even in a vertically long storage tank, etc., and can provide an accurate liquid level display with a simple structure. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of a liquid level gauge of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a capacity indicator constituting a capacity indicator used in the liquid level gauge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a rotating shaft portion is rotated in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing a storage tank using the liquid level gauge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a main part of a liquid level gauge according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view of a conventional liquid level gauge attached to a horizontally long storage tank.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pipe member 2 Rotating shaft member 3 Float member 4 1st magnetic body 5 2nd magnetic body 6 Capacity display part

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Shigeru Oyamazawa 1-2-2 Ginza Nishi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Inside the Miyazaki Valve Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kenichi Shintani 1-2-2 Ginza Nishi, Chuo-ku Tokyo F term in the valve factory (reference) 2F013 AA05 AA07 BC06 BG01 CA17 CB04 3E072 AA03 AB12 GA04

Claims (8)

[Claims] A float member that moves up and down in accordance with the liquid level of a liquid in a predetermined storage tank; a rotating shaft member that extends in the up and down direction of the storage tank and is rotatably held; A shaft rotation conversion unit configured to rotate the rotation shaft member at an angle corresponding to a vertical movement distance of the float member; and a capacity display that displays a liquid level of the liquid based on the rotation angle of the rotation shaft member. A liquid level gauge for a bulk storage tank, comprising: 2. The shaft rotation conversion section has a first magnetic body disposed at a predetermined interval in an axial length direction of the rotation shaft member, and a second magnetic body provided on the float member. 2. The liquid for a bulk storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is axially rotated by an attraction and repulsion effect of a magnetic force between the first magnetic body and the second magnetic body. Area meter. 3. The rotating device according to claim 1, wherein the first magnetic body is composed of a plurality of magnets fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft member at predetermined intervals in an axial direction of the rotating shaft member. 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the member is provided so as to be shifted at a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the member.
Or the liquid level gauge for a bulk storage tank according to 2. 4. The first magnetic body is composed of a plurality of magnetic parts which are magnetized on the outer periphery of the rotary shaft member at predetermined intervals in the axial direction thereof, and each magnetic part has a position of the magnetization. Is provided at a position shifted by a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotary shaft member.
The liquid level gauge for the bulk storage tank described. 5. The storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the storage tank is vertically long, and the rod-shaped member is arranged to extend in a longitudinal direction of the storage tank. Liquid level gauge for bulk storage tanks. 6. The liquid level gauge for a bulk storage tank according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level gauge is used for a bulk storage tank for storing liquefied petroleum gas. 7. A hollow pipe member which is disposed in a predetermined storage tank and which extends in the up-down direction of the storage tank and has a slide groove extending in the up-down direction on the outer periphery thereof, A rotating shaft member that extends in the vertical direction and is rotatably held on the inner side; a float member that moves up and down with the slide groove as a guide corresponding to the liquid level of the liquid material in the storage tank; A plurality of first magnetic poles are fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft member at predetermined intervals in the axial direction thereof and the positions of the magnetic poles are shifted by a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotating shaft member. A second magnetic body provided on the float member, and a capacity display unit for displaying a liquid level of the liquid based on an angle of rotation of the rotation shaft member. Features Click reservoir for liquid level meter. 8. A hollow pipe member which is arranged in a predetermined storage tank and which extends in the vertical direction of the storage tank and has a slide groove formed in the outer periphery thereof and which extends in the vertical direction. A rotating shaft member that extends in the vertical direction and is rotatably held on the inner side; a float member that moves up and down with the slide groove as a guide corresponding to the liquid level of the liquid material in the storage tank; Directly or indirectly on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft member, each is magnetized at a predetermined interval in the axial direction thereof, and the position of the magnetization is shifted at a predetermined angle in the axial direction of the rotating shaft member, respectively. A plurality of first magnetic bodies provided, a second magnetic body provided on the float member, and a capacity display unit for displaying a liquid level of the liquid based on an angle of rotation of the rotating shaft member. Has Bulk storage tank for liquid level gauge characterized by comprising.