JP2006039994A - Pressure regulator with gas leak detection function - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pressure regulator capable of detecting gas leakage inexpensively and supplying necessary gas without requiring complicated pipe arrangement. <P>SOLUTION: When a diaphragm 104 is displaced in accordance with pressure fluctuation on a down stream side, a valve rod 111 is displaced linked to this. To the valve rod 111, a small valve member 110 and a large valve member 120 are connected via a connection member constituted of a spring 107 and a guide member 130. In accordance with displacement of the valve rod 111 when pressure on the down stream side is below a first pressure which is decided to be gas minor leakage start, small flow rate opening and closing parts 123 and 110 are released. On the other hand, in accordance with the displacement of the valve rod 111 when the pressure on the down stream side is below a second pressure decided to be normal use start, large flow rate opening and closing parts 106 and 120 are released. When gas minor leakage occurs, displacement of the valve rod 111 corresponding to ranges from the first pressure to the second pressure is continually detected. Thus, using this, decision of the gas leakage becomes possible. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a pressure regulator interposed between an upstream side which is a gas supply source side and a downstream side which is a gas consumption source side, and in particular, a pressure regulator having a function of detecting a gas leak on the downstream side. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a gas supply facility that supplies gas to an apartment house such as a condominium having an embedded gas pipe is equipped with a gas leakage detection system for security. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of this type of conventional gas leakage detection system.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the gas pipe 3 connected to the gas cylinders 2 </ b> A, 2 </ b> B, 2 </ b> C is provided with a primary pressure regulator 4 having an automatic switching function, and the primary pressure regulator 4 is connected via the primary pressure regulator 4. A regulator 5 is provided. The gas pipe 3 is provided with a bypass gas flow path 30 that connects the inlet side and the outlet side of the parent pressure regulator 5. Further, a child pressure regulator 6 and a leak detection device 7 are provided in the middle of the bypass gas flow path 30.

  The adjustment pressure of the child pressure regulator 6 is set higher than the adjustment pressure of the parent pressure regulator 5. The leak detection device 7 is for detecting a minute gas leak (hereinafter also simply referred to as a gas leak). When a flow rate exceeding a predetermined flow rate is detected, it is determined that a gas leak has occurred. To that effect.

  In such a configuration, the parent pressure regulator 5 is closed when there is almost no gas consumption, such as at midnight. When gas leakage occurs on the downstream side of the parent pressure regulator 5 with the parent pressure regulator 5 closed as described above, the bypass gas flow path 30 side, that is, the child pressure regulator 6 and the leakage detection device. Gas flows to 7. Thereby, the gas leakage is detected. During normal use, the parent pressure regulator 5 is opened and the necessary gas is supplied to the gas consumption source. As a result, gas leakage is detected without stopping the gas supply.

The prior art is also described in the following prior art document information.
JP 2001-5533 A

  However, according to the conventional gas leakage detection system, in order to detect gas leakage without stopping the gas supply, the child pressure regulator 6 and the leakage detection are connected in parallel to the parent pressure regulator 5. It was necessary to connect the bypass gas flow path 30 provided with the device 7.

  For this reason, the pressure balance of valve opening and valve closing of the parent pressure regulator 5 and the child pressure regulator 6 is required, and complicated piping, additional devices such as the child pressure regulator 6 and the leakage detector 7 are required. It was. Moreover, these installation work and piping work were also required. Therefore, there is a problem that the cost becomes high. Moreover, it was necessary to secure a mounting space and a piping space. Further, due to the capability of the leak detection device 7, there is a problem that the leak cannot be determined unless the gas is not used for one hour or more.

  Therefore, in view of the present situation described above, the present invention is a pressure regulator that can detect gas leakage and supply necessary gas at a low cost without requiring complicated piping, and can determine gas leakage in a short time. It is an issue to provide.

  The pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 1, which is made to solve the above problem, is interposed between an upstream side which is a gas supply source side and a downstream side which is a gas consumption source side. A pressure regulator having a function of detecting a downstream gas leak, which partitions the downstream side and the atmosphere release chamber side, and is displaced in accordance with the downstream pressure fluctuation; and in conjunction with the diaphragm Displaceable valve stem, small valve member and large valve member connected directly or indirectly to the valve stem, and opening and closing the downstream side and the upstream side in order to allow a large flow of gas to pass when opened A large flow rate opening / closing part that can be partitioned, a small flow rate opening / closing part that allows the downstream side and the upstream side to be opened and closed in order to allow a small flow rate of gas to pass through when opened, and the pressure on the downstream side starts gas leakage. Lower than the first pressure determined The small flow rate opening / closing part is opened according to the displacement of the valve stem, and the large flow rate according to the displacement of the valve stem when the pressure on the downstream side falls below the second pressure determined to start normal use. A connecting member that connects the small valve member and the large valve member that operates to open the flow rate opening / closing portion, and at least the downstream pressure is in the range of the first pressure to the second pressure. Displacement detecting means for detecting the displacement of the valve stem at that time.

  Moreover, the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function according to claim 2, which has been made to solve the above problem, is the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is the small valve member. And a spring provided on the opposing surface of the large valve member, and a frame-shaped guide member connected to the large valve member so as to surround the small valve member.

  The pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 3, which has been made to solve the above problem, is the pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 1, wherein the displacement detection means is the valve stem. And a magnetic proximity sensor that turns on and off based on the magnetic force from the permanent magnet.

  The pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 4, which has been made to solve the above problem, is the pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 1, wherein the displacement detection means is the valve stem. And an open hole penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the valve stem, and a photocoupler that is turned on and off based on the amount of light passing through the open hole.

  The pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 5, which has been made to solve the above problems, is the pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to claim 4, wherein the displacement of the valve stem of the photocoupler Position adjustment means for adjusting the position in the direction is included.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, in order to allow a large flow rate of gas to pass through when opened, a large flow rate opening / closing portion is provided that partitions the downstream side and the upstream side so as to be openable and closable. A small flow rate opening / closing part is provided to allow gas to pass through. When the diaphragm is displaced according to the pressure fluctuation on the downstream side, the valve stem is also displaced in conjunction with the displacement. A large valve member is connected to the valve stem via a small valve member and a connecting member composed of, for example, a spring and a frame-shaped guide member, and the downstream pressure ranges from the first pressure to the second pressure. Due to the action of the valve stem and the connecting member at the time, the small flow rate opening / closing portion is opened and the displacement of the valve stem at this time is detected. When a slight gas leak occurs, the displacement of the valve rod corresponding to such a range of the first pressure to the second pressure is continuously detected, and this can be used to determine the gas leak.

  In addition, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect that the downstream pressure is lower than the first pressure, that is, gas leakage by the permanent magnet and the magnetic proximity sensor.

  According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to detect that the downstream pressure is lower than the first pressure by the through hole and the photocoupler provided at the end of the valve stem, that is, to detect gas leakage. it can. Therefore, multistage gas leakage detection can be easily realized.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the position of the photocoupler can be adjusted, more accurate gas leak detection can be performed.

  According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, in order to allow a large flow rate of gas to pass through when opened, a large flow rate opening / closing portion is provided that partitions the downstream side and the upstream side so as to be openable and closable. A small flow rate opening / closing part is provided to allow gas to pass through. When the diaphragm is displaced according to the pressure fluctuation on the downstream side, the valve stem is also displaced in conjunction with the displacement. A large valve member is connected to the valve stem via a small valve member and a connecting member composed of, for example, a spring and a frame-shaped guide member, and the downstream pressure ranges from the first pressure to the second pressure. Due to the action of the valve stem and the connecting member at the time, the small flow rate opening / closing portion is opened and the displacement of the valve stem at this time is detected. When a slight gas leak occurs, the displacement of the valve rod corresponding to such a range of the first pressure to the second pressure is continuously detected, and this can be used to determine the gas leak. Therefore, it is possible to detect gas leakage and supply necessary gas at a low cost without requiring complicated piping as in the prior art. Further, as in the conventional system, since it is possible to determine the leakage even if the non-use of the gas does not occur for one hour or more, it is possible to determine the gas leakage in a short time.

  In addition, according to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to detect that the downstream pressure is lower than the first pressure, that is, gas leakage by the permanent magnet and the magnetic proximity sensor. Therefore, an effect that the configuration is simplified and the cost can be further reduced is added.

  According to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to detect that the downstream pressure is lower than the first pressure by the through hole and the photocoupler provided at the end of the valve stem, that is, to detect gas leakage. it can. Therefore, an effect that multi-stage gas leakage detection can be easily realized is added.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, since the position of the photocoupler can be adjusted, an effect that gas leak detection with higher accuracy is possible is added.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a gas supply facility to which a pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas pipe 3 connected to the gas cylinders 2A, 2B, 2C as a gas supply source is provided with a primary pressure regulator 4 having an automatic switching function, and the primary pressure regulator 4 The pressure regulator 1 with a gas leak detection function is connected via the gas and reaches a gas consumption source.

  The pressure regulator 1 with the gas leakage detection function detects this when the pressure on the downstream side is lower than the first pressure at which it is determined that the slight gas leakage starts, and similarly, the pressure on the downstream side is determined to start normal use. When the pressure falls below the second pressure, the necessary gas is passed from the gas supply source side to the gas consumption source side. As apparent from a comparison between FIG. 1 and FIG. 9, when the pressure regulator 1 with a gas leak detection function is used, there is no need for complicated piping, a child pressure regulator, a leak detection device, or the like as in the prior art. , Gas leakage can be detected and necessary gas can be supplied.

  Next, the structure of the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a main part of FIG. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the large valve member, respectively. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the small valve member. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the guide member, respectively.

  When viewed from above, the pressure regulator 1 with a gas leakage detection function having a cross section as shown in FIG. 2 has a substantially circular shape as shown in FIG. That is, the pressure regulator 1 with a gas leak detection function has a cylindrical outer shape close to a circle. The pressure regulator 1 with a gas leakage detection function is basically configured by an upper case 101 and a lower case 102 on which an upper lid 103 is provided. The gas inlet 108 and the gas outlet 109 on the lower case 102 side are connected to the gas pipe 3 (see FIG. 1) that leads to the gas supply source side and the gas consumption source side, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the upper case 101 provided with the upper lid 103 constitutes an atmosphere release chamber 103a. The air release chamber 103a communicates with the outside and is maintained at atmospheric pressure. Diaphragm 104 is supported by spring 105, partitions atmospheric release chamber 103a and gas outlet 109 side, that is, the downstream side, and is displaced according to the pressure fluctuation on the downstream side. The diaphragm 104 is connected to a valve stem 111 that is connected to a small valve member 110 described later. In other words, the valve stem 111 is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the diaphragm 104, and the small valve member 110 is also displaced accordingly.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower case 102 has a cylindrical gas inlet 108 and a gas outlet 109 to which a gas pipe is connected. The gas inlet 108 side, that is, the upstream side, and the gas outlet 109 side, that is, the downstream side, are a large flow rate opening / closing section constituted by a large flow rate nozzle 106 and a large valve member 120 (more precisely, a valve seat 122), and The small flow rate nozzle 123 and the small valve member 110 (more precisely, the valve seat 112) are partitioned so as to be openable and closable.

  The large flow rate nozzle 106 is a cylindrical nozzle and is integrally formed with the lower case 102. As can be seen from FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B), the large valve member 120 has a disk shape having a predetermined thickness with a conduction hole 124 formed in the center, and a ring-shaped valve seat on the upper surface. 122, a groove 121 that circulates in a ring shape on the side surface, and a cylindrical small flow rate nozzle 123 on the lower surface are integrally formed. The valve seat 122 constitutes a large flow rate opening / closing portion together with the large flow rate nozzle 106. Further, the small flow rate nozzle 123 constitutes a small flow rate opening / closing part together with the valve seat 112 of the small valve member 110. The upper frame portion of the guide member 130 is fitted into the groove 121. Further, the valve rod 111 is inserted into the conduction hole 124 while maintaining a gap through which gas can pass.

  As can be seen from FIG. 5 in particular, the small valve member 110 has a disk shape with a predetermined thickness through which the valve stem 111 penetrates, and a ring-shaped valve seat 112 is formed on the upper surface. As described above, the valve seat 112 constitutes a small flow rate opening / closing portion together with the small flow rate nozzle 123. As can be seen from FIGS. 6A and 6B in particular, the guide member 130 has a cylindrical frame shape that is large enough to surround the small valve member 110. A hole 132 through which the valve stem 111 is inserted is drilled in the lower surface portion, a plurality of bridge portions 131 for connecting the lower surface portion and the upper frame portion are provided in the side portion, and the large valve member 120 is provided in the upper frame portion. A plurality of fitting pieces 133 to be fitted into the grooves 121 are projected inward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the large valve member 120 is connected to the small valve member 110 indirectly, that is, via a spring 107. Further, a guide member 130 is connected to the large valve member 120 so as to surround the small valve member 110. Since the small valve member 110 is directly coupled to the diaphragm 104, the small valve member 110 is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the diaphragm 104, but the large valve member 120 is in contact with the lower surface portion of the guide member 130. Only when the diaphragm 104 is pushed down, the diaphragm 104 is displaced in conjunction with the displacement of the diaphragm 104. Then, the small flow rate opening / closing part is opened in accordance with the displacement of the diaphragm 104 (or the valve stem 111) when the downstream pressure is lower than the first pressure determined to start gas slight leakage, and the downstream pressure is reduced. The large flow rate opening / closing part operates so as to be opened according to the displacement of the diaphragm 104 (or the valve stem 111) when the pressure drops below the second pressure that is determined to be the normal use start. The spring 107 is set to be elastic to enable such an operation. The spring 107 and the guide member 130 correspond to the connecting member in the claims.

  Returning to FIG. 2, a permanent magnet 140 is provided at the other end of the valve stem 111 to which the diaphragm 104 is connected at one end. A magnetic proximity sensor 141 that turns on and off based on the magnetic force from the permanent magnet 140 is provided on the wall surface of the lower case 102 that is close enough to the magnetic force from the permanent magnet 140. According to the magnetic force from the permanent magnet 140, the magnetic proximity sensor 141 can detect the displacement of the valve stem 111 when the downstream pressure is lower than the first pressure, which is determined to start gas slight leakage, that is, The valve rod 111 is arranged so that it can be detected to the extent that the small flow rate opening / closing part is opened. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect a slight gas leak on the downstream side. The permanent magnet 140 and the magnetic proximity sensor 141 correspond to the displacement detection means in the claims. By using the permanent magnet 140 and the magnetic proximity sensor 141 as the displacement detection means, the configuration becomes simple and the cost can be reduced.

  As the displacement detection means, a modification as shown in FIG. 7 is also conceivable. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the displacement detection means. 7 corresponds to a cross-sectional shape in the vicinity of the permanent magnet 140 and the magnetic proximity sensor 141 in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the displacement detecting means of the modification, instead of the valve stem 111 shown in FIG. 1, a valve stem in which an open hole 111a penetrating in the direction perpendicular to the central axis of the valve stem is penetrated at the end. 111 'is used. Further, photocouplers 143 a and 143 b that are turned on / off based on the amount of light passing through the open hole 111 a are disposed in the lower portion of the lower case 102. Specifically, the photocouplers 143 a and 143 b are arranged on a base 142 attached to the lower part of the lower case 102, and the base 142 is held at a predetermined position by the adjustment base 144. The adjustment table 144 is fixed to the lower case 102 with screws 145, but can be moved up and down in the figure by loosening the screws 145. The position of the photocouplers 143a and 143b in the vertical direction (displacement direction of the valve stem 111 ') can be adjusted by tightening the screw 145 at an appropriate position. The adjusting table 144 corresponds to the position adjusting means in the claims.

  Due to the displacement detection means as described above, the opening 104a is lowered due to the displacement of the diaphragm 104 (or the valve stem 111 '). For example, when only the photocoupler 143a is turned on, the first stage is set. For example, the second stage is when only the photocoupler 143b is turned on. Photocouplers 143a and 143b are both turned on when the large flow rate switching part is closed and the valve stem 111 'is displaced to the extent that the small flow rate switching part is opened. It is possible to detect even the degree of opening and closing of the small flow rate opening and closing unit. That is, by using the photocouplers 143a and 143b, the degree of gas leakage can be detected in stages.

  Next, the operation of the pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function having the configuration described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 7 will be described with reference to FIG. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams similar to FIG. 3 described above, and redundant description of the configuration is omitted.

  When there is almost no gas consumption such as at midnight, both the large flow rate opening / closing part (nozzle 106, valve seat 122) and the small flow rate opening / closing part (nozzle 123, valve seat 112) are blocked unless gas leakage occurs downstream. It is in the state.

  However, when the gas leakage starts to occur on the downstream side, the downstream pressure slightly decreases. The pressure at this time is defined as a first pressure. When the downstream pressure is reduced to the first pressure, the diaphragm 104 (or the valve stem 111) is displaced downward. In conjunction with this, as shown by an arrow D1 in FIG. 8A, the small valve member 110 is also displaced downward. Then, the small flow rate opening / closing part is opened and a small amount of gas begins to flow downstream. On the other hand, when the gas consumption source starts to be used on the downstream side, the pressure on the downstream side greatly decreases. The pressure at this time is defined as a second pressure. That is, the time when the range of the first pressure to the second pressure continues corresponds to gas leakage. Since the position detecting means can detect that the lower end of the valve stem 111 has been displaced to an extent corresponding to the range of the first pressure to the second pressure, the gas leakage can be determined using this.

  When the gas consumption source is normally used on the downstream side, the downstream pressure is stabilized in a state where it is lower than the second pressure. When the downstream pressure is reduced to the second pressure, the diaphragm 104 (or the valve stem 111) is displaced further downward than at the first pressure. In conjunction with this, as shown by an arrow D2 in FIG. 8B, the small valve member 110 is further displaced downward. Then, the small valve member 110 comes into contact with the guide member 130 and is displaced so as to push down the guide member 130. As a result, the large flow rate opening / closing part is opened. As a result, the necessary gas is supplied from the gas supply source side to the gas consumption source side.

  As a method for determining the gas leakage, for example, a current corresponding to the displacement of the valve stem 111 is generated, and the current corresponding to the range of the first pressure to the second pressure is a predetermined time (for example, 1 It is assumed that gas leakage has occurred only when it has continued for a second). Then, the determination result is notified. The current may be monitored regularly or constantly, and the presence or absence of gas leakage may be displayed about once a day to once a month.

  As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to detect gas leakage and supply necessary gas at low cost without requiring complicated piping as in the prior art. Therefore, high cost can be suppressed. Further, it is not necessary to secure a mounting space and a piping space.

It is a figure which shows the gas supply installation with which the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention was attached. It is sectional drawing which shows the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part enlarged view of FIG. 4A and 4B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the large valve member, respectively. It is a perspective view of a small valve member. 6A and 6B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the guide member, respectively. It is a figure which shows the modification of a displacement detection means. FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of this kind of conventional gas leak detection system.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function 104 Diaphragm 105,107 Spring 110 Small valve member 120 Large valve member 130 Guide member 140 Permanent magnet 141 Magnetic proximity sensor

Claims (5)

A pressure regulator interposed between an upstream side which is a gas supply source side and a downstream side which is a gas consumption source side and having a function of detecting gas leakage on the downstream side,
A diaphragm that partitions the downstream side and the atmosphere release chamber side, and that is displaced according to the pressure fluctuation on the downstream side;
A valve stem that is displaced in conjunction with the diaphragm;
A small valve member and a large valve member directly or indirectly connected to the valve stem;
A large flow rate opening / closing section that partitions the downstream side and the upstream side so as to be openable and closable in order to allow a large flow rate gas to pass therethrough;
A small flow rate opening / closing part that divides the downstream side and the upstream side so as to be openable and closable in order to allow a small flow rate gas to pass therethrough,
The small flow rate opening / closing part is opened according to the displacement of the valve stem when the downstream pressure falls below the first pressure determined to start gas microleakage, and the downstream pressure is determined to start normal use. A connecting member for connecting the small valve member and the large valve member, which operates to open the large flow rate opening / closing portion according to the displacement of the valve stem when the pressure drops below the second pressure,
Displacement detecting means for detecting displacement of the valve stem when at least the downstream pressure is in the range of the first pressure to the second pressure;
A pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function, characterized by comprising: In the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function according to claim 1,
The connecting member is
Springs provided on opposing surfaces of the small valve member and the large valve member;
A frame-shaped guide member connected to the large valve member so as to surround the small valve member;
A pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function. In the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function according to claim 1,
The displacement detection means includes
A permanent magnet provided at an end of the valve stem;
A magnetic proximity sensor that turns on and off based on the magnetic force from the permanent magnet;
A pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function. In the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function according to claim 1,
The displacement detection means includes
An open hole provided at an end of the valve stem and penetrating in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the valve stem;
A photocoupler that turns on and off based on the amount of light passing through the open hole;
A pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function. In the pressure regulator with a gas leak detection function according to claim 4,
Position adjusting means for adjusting the position of the valve stem in the displacement direction of the photocoupler;
A pressure regulator with a gas leakage detection function.

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