JP2006349436A - Substantially safe explosion-proof vortex flowmeter system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vortex flowmeter adapting to a standard as a substantially safe explosion-proof appliance by suppressing generation voltage below a specific value when a shock is given with a piezoelectric element assembled in the circuit. <P>SOLUTION: The invention comprises a vortex detector having a piezoelectric element and a converter for converting the detected vortex signal to pulse signal output or analog current output according to the signal and placed in a dangerous location. The substantially safe explosion-proof flowmeter system displaying flow rate value based on the converted output signal is constituted that only a voltage clamped with a diode is impressed in a capacitor inside the converter even if a voltage over a specific value occurs in either of positive or negative direction from the piezoelectric element by inserting a diode inverse-parallel into a pair of piezoelectric element detection lines. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an intrinsically safe explosion-proof vortex flowmeter system including a converter installed in a dangerous place for conversion to an output or flow rate display corresponding to a vortex signal detected by a piezoelectric element.

  A flow meter installed in a hazardous area where explosive gas exists or may exist is required to have an intrinsically safe explosion-proof structure. When performing flow measurement of various flow rates, flow measurement of explosive gas is also included. Vortex flowmeters are often used for flow measurement. As is well known, the vortex flowmeter is proportional to the flow rate in the Re (Reynolds) number range where the number of Karman vortices flowing out per unit time from a vortex generator provided at right angles to the flow path axis in the flow path. This is a speculative flow meter that uses this function.

  Among the vortex detection methods of the vortex flowmeter, one using a piezoelectric element is known as a vortex detector. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a general vortex flowmeter using a conventional piezoelectric element. This flow meter system includes a vortex detector having a piezoelectric element, a transducer, and a receiver. Usually, the transducer is attached to the vortex detector and installed in a hazardous area. The receiver is connected to the converter by a transmission cable and installed in a non-hazardous area.

  Note that the vortex flowmeter can be driven by a battery, and in that case, it is not connected to the receiver and only displays the flow rate in a dangerous place.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the converter illustrated in FIG. This converter is a circuit that outputs a pulse signal having a period equal to that of the vortex signal. The vortex signal from the piezoelectric element is amplified by an amplifier and then the frequency equal to that of the vortex signal by a vortex signal conversion circuit including a Schmitt trigger circuit. The pulse output is obtained. This pulse output is input to an output circuit (transistor) to output a flow rate pulse.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of the converter. This converter is a circuit that outputs an analog current. The vortex signal from the piezoelectric element is amplified by an amplifier and then converted into a high pulse train having a frequency corresponding to the vortex signal by a Schmitt trigger circuit. This pulse train is converted into an analog voltage proportional to the vortex frequency by a frequency / voltage conversion circuit (F / V). The current output obtained by converting this voltage by the voltage / current conversion circuit (V / I) is output from the output circuit (transistor) as a current of 4 to 20 mA.

  When installing vortex detectors and transducers that use piezoelectric elements in hazardous locations (sites), they must be intrinsically safe explosion-proof equipment. The voltage generated at that time is used as an electrical parameter in the explosion-proof verification. The generated voltage varies depending on the piezoelectric element, but there is a voltage that increases from several tens to several hundreds of volts.

  However, if an intrinsic safety explosion-proof construction verification test is performed based on the generated voltage, there is a risk that the intrinsic safety explosion-proof construction cannot be achieved. Conventionally, as a technique for suppressing impact energy to the piezoelectric element, mechanical protection is provided for the piezoelectric element, or the capacitance of the capacitor of the electric circuit inside the device (converter) is reduced. However, even when mechanical concessions are provided, it is not very effective for sensitive piezoelectric elements, and lowering the capacitance of the capacitor will affect the performance of the device.

  The present invention solves such a problem, and even if the element alone is a piezoelectric element that generates a high voltage when a predetermined impact is applied, such a piezoelectric element is incorporated in a circuit. An object of the present invention is to provide a vortex flowmeter that meets the standard as an intrinsically safe explosion-proof device by suppressing the generated voltage to a predetermined value or less when an impact is applied.

  The intrinsically safe explosion-proof vortex flowmeter system of the present invention includes a vortex detector having a piezoelectric element and a converter installed in a hazardous location that converts a pulse signal output or an analog current output according to the detected vortex signal, or It is comprised from the converter which displays a flow volume value based on the converted signal by battery drive. By inserting a diode in antiparallel between a pair of piezoelectric element detection lines in the vicinity of the piezoelectric element, a capacitor is introduced into the converter regardless of whether a positive or negative voltage is generated in the positive or negative direction from the piezoelectric element. Is characterized in that only a voltage clamped by a diode is applied.

  According to the present invention, even if the voltage generated when a predetermined impact is applied to the piezoelectric element becomes high, the generated voltage is suppressed to a predetermined value or less in a state where such a piezoelectric element is incorporated in the circuit, It is possible to provide a vortex flowmeter that meets the standards as an intrinsically safe explosion-proof device.

  At the time of the impact test, only the voltage clamped by the diode is applied to the capacitor inside the device, so there is no need to reduce mechanical protection or capacity. As a result, even a flow meter using a piezoelectric element can be designed ignoring the influence of the generated voltage.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on examples. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a vortex flow meter system embodying the present invention. This vortex flowmeter system includes a vortex detector having a piezoelectric element, a transducer, and a receiver. The receiver is connected to the converter by a transmission cable, installed in a non-hazardous area, and displays a flow rate value based on the transmitted signal. The vortex detector and the transducer can be configured separately and connected by wiring, or the transducer can be mechanically detachable and electrically connected when assembled together. Also, a configuration known per se can be used. Further, the receiver can be configured integrally with the converter to display the flow rate value at the converter installation location. Furthermore, it is also possible to display only the flow rate value at the site by using a battery driven converter and no transmission cable.

  Although the vortex detector itself is well known, the vortex generator is provided with a vortex generator. For example, the vortex generator includes a sensor having a cantilever-like vibrating tube in which a piezoelectric element is incorporated. Is provided with a pressure introducing hole for introducing an alternating differential pressure to the sensor. As the Karman vortex is generated, the pressure of the vortex generator changes alternately (alternating pressure difference). This alternating differential pressure gives an alternating stress to the sensor, and the stress is detected as a change in charge of the piezoelectric element.

  The converter shown in the figure can be of a normal configuration except that a plurality of diodes are connected in antiparallel on the signal input side from the vortex detector. For example, any conversion such as a circuit that outputs a pulse signal having a period equal to the vortex signal as described with reference to FIG. 3 or a circuit that outputs an analog current as described with reference to FIG. Circuits can also be used.

  In order to meet the requirements for the intrinsically safe explosion-proof grade, there is a first requirement for the piezoelectric element itself to select an energy that is lower than the energy required for the explosion-proof grade. From the figure, the left side of the transducer input is the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element, and it is necessary to first calculate the energy of the piezoelectric element itself. And if the energy is below the value according to every explosion-proof grade, it will be judged that there is no danger of ignition of piezoelectric element itself.

  Next, even if such an element is selected, a second requirement is required for the voltage generated during the impact test to be equal to or lower than a predetermined value in a state where the element is incorporated in the circuit. Although there are a plurality of capacitors on the electronic circuit in the circuit on the right side of the converter input, the voltage assumed to charge them must be kept within a predetermined value.

  The illustrated converter meets the second requirement by inserting a diode (clamp diode) in antiparallel between a pair of piezoelectric element detection lines in the vicinity of the piezoelectric element. The reverse parallel connection is a diode in one direction and a diode in the opposite direction connected in parallel. Further, a plurality of these bidirectional diodes are connected in parallel. The number of elements connected in parallel is such that the capacity is sufficient to allow the assumed current to flow. The forward voltage of the diode is well known and does not rise above about 0.7V. By connecting in antiparallel, the voltage in either positive or negative direction can be suppressed to 0.7V. As a result, a vortex signal (voltage signal) of 0.7 V or less is transmitted without error to the next-stage circuit, while a voltage exceeding this is suppressed. In the impact test, no matter what value of voltage is generated from the piezoelectric element in either positive or negative direction, only the voltage clamped by the diode is applied to the capacitor inside the device, so mechanical protection There is no need to reduce the capacity. As a result, the voltage generated by the piezoelectric element is necessarily suppressed by the diode, and the relationship with the internal circuit voltage is as follows. Therefore, the design may be made in consideration of only the internal circuit voltage.

Piezoelectric element generation voltage → diode forward voltage ≦ equipment internal circuit power supply voltage Accordingly, even a flowmeter using a piezoelectric element can be designed ignoring the influence of the generated voltage.

1 illustrates a vortex flow meter system embodying the present invention. It is a figure which illustrates the general vortex flowmeter using the conventional piezoelectric element. It is a figure which shows an example of the converter shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows another example of a converter.

Claims (2)

A vortex detector having a piezoelectric element, and a converter installed in a dangerous place that converts it into a pulse signal output or an analog current output according to the detected vortex signal, and a flow rate value based on the converted output signal In the intrinsically safe explosion-proof vortex flowmeter system to display,
By inserting a diode in reverse parallel between the pair of piezoelectric element detection lines, the capacitor inside the converter is clamped with a diode even if a voltage exceeding the specified value is generated in either positive or negative direction from the piezoelectric element. An intrinsically safe explosion-proof vortex flowmeter system that is configured to apply only a specified voltage. The intrinsically safe explosion-proof vortex flowmeter system according to claim 1, wherein the diode is connected to an input side of the converter.

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