JP2017009346A - Liquid level measurement device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid level measurement device for enhancing a measurement accuracy.SOLUTION: A liquid level measurement device comprises: a guide tube 10 in which a guide passage 12 is formed to guide a gas 5 toward a lower stream end 14a in a liquid 3; a gas supply source 40 for supplying the gas 5 to the guide passage 12 in a compressed manner; a switching valve 60 for switching between a communication state Sc for making the guide passage 12 communicate with a gas phase space 4 in which the gas 5 is collected at an upstream side from the lower stream end 14a and a shutting state for shutting the communication with the guide passage 12 and a phase space 4; a flow rate integration control unit for integrating the volume flow rate Fv under a supply stop and a communication state Sc of the gas 5, and a volumetric flow rate meter 70 for detecting a volumetric flow rate Fv of the gas 5 that communicates with the phase space 4 from the upper stream side from a downstream end 14a among the guide plates 12. An electronic control unit 80 constructs a supply control unit for executing a supply of the gas 5 so as to be purged into a liquid 3 under a shutting state, a flow rate integrating control unit for integrating a volume flow rate Fv under a supply stop and communication state Sc of the gas 5, and a level calculation unit for calculating a liquid level based on an integration value of the volume flow rate Fv integrated from a supply stop of the gas 5.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid level measuring apparatus for measuring the liquid level of a liquid stored in a container.

  Conventionally, in the guide passage formed by the passage member for guiding the gas, the liquid level is obtained by using the gas compressed and supplied to the guide passage in a state where the downstream end is opened in the liquid inside the container. A liquid level measuring device for measuring is widely known.

  For example, in the liquid level measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the liquid level is calculated based on the pressure detection value when the gas is purged from the downstream end of the guide passage and the pressure of the gas is stabilized. . Thereby, it is possible to ensure the measurement accuracy of the liquid level.

JP 2010-54260 A

  Now, in the liquid level measuring device disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the gas pressure is stabilized after the supply from the pump is stopped, the liquid level is calculated based on the detected pressure value. Here, after the supply from the pump is stopped, the pressure of the gas decreases, so that the liquid flows into the guide passage from the downstream end. As a result, there is a problem that an error occurs in the detected pressure value and the measurement accuracy of the liquid level is lowered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level measuring apparatus that improves the measurement accuracy of the liquid level.

  The technical means of the invention for achieving the object will be described below. The reference numerals in parentheses described in the claims and in this section disclosing the technical means of the invention indicate the correspondence with the specific means described in the embodiment described in detail later. It is not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention.

The first invention disclosed in order to solve the above-mentioned problem is
A liquid level measuring device (1) for measuring a liquid level (LL) of a liquid (3) stored in a container (2),
A passage member (10) having a downstream end (14a) that opens into the liquid inside the container and in which a guide passage (12) for guiding the gas (5) to the downstream end is formed;
A gas supply unit (40) for compressing and supplying the gas to the guide passage;
The communication state (Sc) in which the guide passage communicates upstream of the downstream end with respect to the gas phase space (4) in which gas is accumulated above the liquid in the container, and the communication between the guide passage and the gas phase space are blocked. A switching unit (60) for switching between a shut-off state (Si) and
A flow rate detection unit (70, 1070) for detecting a volumetric flow rate (Fv) of a gas flowing into the gas phase space from the upstream side of the downstream end in the communication path under the communication state;
A supply control unit (S102, S103, S104, S2101, S2102, S2103, S2105) for purging gas into the liquid from the downstream end by executing gas supply by the gas supply unit under the shut-off state by the switching unit;
A flow rate integration control unit (S101, S105, S106, S107, S108, S10, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108, S108) S109, S1107, S1109, S2104),
A level calculation unit (S110, S111) for calculating a liquid level based on the integrated value (ΣF) of the volume flow rate integrated by the flow rate integration control unit from the stop of the gas supply by the gas supply unit. To do.

  According to the first invention, the gas is compressed and supplied to the downstream end of the guide passage in a shut-off state in which the communication of the guide passage is shut off with respect to the gas phase space in which the gas is accumulated above the liquid in the container. To be purged into the liquid. After that, when the guide passage is switched from the previous shut-off state to the communication state where the guide passage communicates with the gas phase space inside the container on the upstream side of the downstream end, the liquid is placed in the guide passage where the gas supply is stopped. Inflow from the end. Thereby, the gas pushed by the inflowing liquid in the guide passage flows back from the upstream side to the gas phase space side by flowing backward from the downstream end to the upstream side. At this time, the volume flow rate of the gas is detected and further integrated. As a result, the integrated value of the volume flow rate from the supply stop represents the volume of the liquid that has flowed to the position corresponding to the liquid level in the guide passage. Therefore, the liquid level can be accurately determined based on the integrated value. Can be calculated. As described above, in the first invention, it is possible to improve the measurement accuracy of the liquid level by utilizing the phenomenon that the liquid flows into the guide passage due to the stop of the gas supply.

Also, according to the disclosed second invention,
The level calculating unit estimates the volume expansion amount (δV) of the gas that has flowed back upstream from the downstream end in the guide passage in the communication state, and corrects the calculated value of the liquid level based on the estimation result. It is characterized by.

  According to the second invention as described above, the volume expansion amount of the gas that has flowed back to the upstream side from the downstream end in the guide passage communicating with the gas phase space is estimated, so that the liquid based on the result of the estimation is estimated. Correction of the calculated value of the surface level is realized. According to this, even if the integrated value of the volume flow rate is acquired larger than the normal value due to the fact that the gas compressed in the shut-off state undergoes volume expansion during backflow in the communication state, the volume expansion amount is estimated. Based on the result, the error that occurs in the calculated liquid level can be eliminated. Therefore, it is particularly effective in increasing the measurement accuracy of the liquid level.

It is a block diagram which shows the liquid level measuring apparatus by 1st embodiment. It is a mimetic diagram for explaining one operation state of a liquid level measuring device by a first embodiment. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the operation state different from FIG. 2 of the liquid level measuring apparatus by 1st embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the liquid level measurement flow which the liquid level measuring apparatus by 1st embodiment implement | achieves. It is a flowchart which shows the liquid level measurement flow which the liquid level measuring apparatus by 2nd embodiment implement | achieves. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the overlapping description may be abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol to the corresponding component in each embodiment. When only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the configuration of the other embodiment described above can be applied to the other part of the configuration. In addition, not only combinations of configurations explicitly described in the description of each embodiment, but also the configurations of a plurality of embodiments can be partially combined even if they are not explicitly specified unless there is a problem with the combination. .

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid level measuring apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention measures the liquid level LL of a predetermined liquid 3 stored in a container 2. Note that the vertical direction in FIG. 1 substantially matches the vertical direction on the horizontal plane.

  The container 2 is surrounded by a peripheral wall 2c between a lower bottom wall 2a and an upper ceiling wall 2b, and has a hollow shape that is closed to the outside atmosphere. The container 2 is normally used in a state in which the liquid 3 is introduced above the zero level LL0 that is a set height from the bottom wall 2a in the closed interior. Therefore, the liquid level LL of the liquid 3 inside the container 2 is defined as the liquid level with reference to the zero level LL0. Further, in the normal use state of the container 2, the liquid 3 can be introduced up to the introduction limit level LLth located at a predetermined distance downward from the top wall 2b.

  A gas phase space 4 is always formed above the liquid level LL of the liquid 3 in the closed normal use state container 2 by the setting of the introduction limit level LLth described above. Air is confined in the gas phase space 4 together with the vapor evaporated from the liquid 3. Thus, the gas 5 in which the steam is mixed with the air accumulates in the gas phase space 4 at a pressure corresponding to the vapor pressure. Therefore, the liquid level LL is measured by the liquid level measuring device 1 for the liquid 3 that is in a vapor equilibrium state under pressure from the gas 5 in the gas phase space 4.

  The liquid 3 stored in the container 2 is, for example, fuel, oil, cleaning liquid, cooling liquid, or the like. Here, the liquid 3 is introduced into the container 2 from an introduction port (not shown) as necessary. Moreover, the liquid 3 is supplied to the exterior of the container 2 from a supply port (not shown) as needed.

  In response to such a configuration of the container 2, the liquid level measuring apparatus 1 includes guide tubes 10, 20, 30, a gas supply source 40, a check valve 50, a switching valve 60, a volume flow meter 70, and an electronic control unit 80. I have.

  The first guide tube 10 as a “passage member” is disposed across the inside and outside of the container 2 by penetrating the top wall 2 b of the container 2. The first guide tube 10 forms a first guide passage 12 with the inner surface of the tube. Of the first guide pipe 10, the first downstream pipe portion 14 inserted into the container 2 along the vertical direction is suspended from the top wall 2b to the height of the zero level LL0. As a result, the downstream end 14a of the first downstream pipe portion 14 facing directly below always opens into the liquid 3 in the container 2 at the position of the zero level LL0 in the normal use state. Here, in particular, in at least the entire region of the first downstream pipe portion 14 in the first guide pipe 10, the passage cross-sectional area of the first guide passage 12 is set to a substantially constant value.

  The second guide tube 20 is disposed across the inside and outside of the container 2 by penetrating the top wall 2 b of the container 2. The second guide pipe 20 forms a second guide passage 22 by the pipe inner surface. Of the second guide tube 20, the second upstream tube portion 26 inserted into the container 2 along the vertical direction is suspended from the top wall 2 b to a height above the introduction limit level LLth. Thereby, the upstream end 26a of the 2nd upstream pipe part 26 which faces right below always opens in the gas 5 of the gaseous-phase space 4 inside the container 2 in a normal use state.

  The third guide tube 30 penetrates the top wall 2 b of the container 2 and is disposed across the inside and outside of the container 2. The third guide tube 30 forms a third guide passage 32 by the inner surface of the tube. Of the third guide pipe 30, the third downstream pipe portion 34 inserted into the container 2 along the vertical direction is suspended from the top wall 2b to a height above the introduction limit level LLth. Thereby, the downstream end 34a of the 3rd downstream pipe part 34 which faces right below always opens in the gas 5 of the gaseous-phase space 4 inside the container 2 in a normal use state. In addition, the third upstream pipe portion 36 disposed outside the container 2 in the third guide tube 30 is located in the middle portion of the first upstream pipe portion 16 disposed outside the container 2 in the first guide tube 10. It is connected to the connecting point 16b.

  The gas supply source 40 as the “gas supply unit” includes an electrically operated pump or a compressor (compressor). The gas supply source 40 is connected to the upstream end 16 a of the first upstream pipe portion 16 disposed outside the container 2 in the first guide pipe 10. At the same time, the gas supply source 40 is connected to the downstream end 24 a of the second downstream pipe portion 24 disposed outside the container 2 in the second guide pipe 20. The gas supply source 40 of such a connection form operates or stops according to the control signal. The operating gas supply source 40 compresses the gas 5 sucked from the gas phase space 4 through the second guide passage 22 to a set pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, and supplies the compressed gas 5 to the first guide passage 12. As a result, the gas 5 compressed and supplied from the gas supply source 40 is guided through the first guide passage 12 to the downstream end 14 a of the first guide pipe 10. At this time, when the total pressure of the first guide passage 12 becomes equal to or higher than the head pressure corresponding to the liquid level LL due to the supply pressure of the gas 5 from the gas supply source 40, the gas 5 is liquid from the downstream end 14a in a bubble state. Purge into 3 On the other hand, even if the supply pressure of the gas 5 from the gas supply source 40 does not reach the head pressure corresponding to the liquid level LL, the purge of the gas 5 does not occur.

  The check valve 50 is a spring type or springless type mechanical one-way valve. The check valve 50 is provided at a check point 16 c located between the upstream end 16 a of the first upstream pipe portion 16 and the connection point 16 b in the first guide pipe 10. The check valve 50 opens the forward flow Ff of the gas 5 from the upstream end 16a side of the first upstream pipe portion 16 toward the downstream end 14a side of the first downstream pipe portion 14 in the first guide passage 12 as shown in FIG. Allow by operation. On the other hand, the check valve 50 causes the reverse flow Fr of the gas 5 from the downstream end 14a side of the first downstream pipe portion 14 to the upstream end 16a side of the first upstream pipe portion 16 in the first guide passage 12 as shown in FIG. Regulate by closing the valve.

  The switching valve 60 shown in FIG. 1 as a “switching unit” is an electrically operated open / close valve. The switching valve 60 is provided at a switching point 36 c located in the middle of the third upstream pipe portion 36 in the third guide pipe 30. The switching valve 60 opens and closes according to the control signal. Specifically, the switching valve 60 opens the third guide passage 32 by opening the valve as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 so that the first guide passage 12 is made upstream of the downstream end 14a and the gas phase inside the container 2 is opened. Communicate with the space 4. In such a communication state Sc between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4, the back flow Fr of the gas 5 is generated in the first guide passage 12 as shown in FIG. Flows into 4. On the other hand, the switching valve 60 blocks the communication between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4 by closing the third guide passage 32 by closing the valve as shown in FIG. In the shut-off state Si of the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4, the forward flow Ff of the gas 5 is generated in the first guide passage 12, so that the gas 5 is purged from the downstream end 14 a into the liquid 3. And in order to implement | achieve these communication state Sc and interruption | blocking state Si, in the normal use state of the container 2, each guide passage 12,22,32 and the gaseous-phase space 4 are not substantially open | released outside. .

  A volume flow meter 70 shown in FIG. 1 as a “flow rate detection unit” is an electrically operated flow sensor. As the volume flow meter 70, a flow meter capable of detecting the volume flow rate Fv per unit time, such as a differential pressure flow meter, an electronic air flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a positive displacement flow meter, or the like is employed. The volume flow meter 70 is provided at a detection point 36 b located between the upstream end 36 a of the third upstream pipe portion 36 and the switching point 36 c in the third guide pipe 30. The volume flow meter 70 is configured to change the volume flow rate Fv of the gas 5 from the upstream end 36a side of the third upstream pipe portion 36 toward the downstream end 34a side of the third downstream pipe portion 34 in the third guide passage 32 as shown in FIG. To detect. Here, the flow of the gas 5 toward the gas phase space 4 on the downstream side as shown in FIG. 3 in the third guide passage 32 is the reverse flow Fr of the gas 5 to the upstream side in the first guide passage 12 in this embodiment. Caused by. Accordingly, the volume flow meter 70 detects the volume flow rate Fv of the gas 5 flowing from the upstream side to the gas phase space 4 side by flowing backward from the downstream end 14a in the first guide passage 12. It will be. The volume flow meter 70 that detects the volume flow rate Fv in this way outputs a detection signal representing the detected flow rate Fv.

  The electronic control unit 80 shown in FIG. 1 is mainly composed of a microcomputer having a processor 80a and a memory 80b. The electronic control unit 80 is electrically connected to the gas supply source 40, the switching valve 60, and the volume flow meter 70. The electronic control unit 80 measures the liquid level LL based on the volume flow rate Fv obtained from the detection signal output from the volume flow meter 70 while controlling the operation of the gas supply source 40 and the switching valve 60. Specifically, in order to measure the liquid level LL, the electronic control unit 80 executes a control program stored in the memory 80b by the processor 80a, thereby realizing a liquid level measurement flow as shown in FIG. The liquid level measurement flow starts in response to a user turning on a power switch (not shown) and ends in response to an off operation of the switch. Moreover, “S” in the liquid level measurement flow means each step. Furthermore, the memory 80b of the electronic control unit 80 that stores a control program for realizing the liquid level measurement flow is configured by using one or a plurality of storage media such as a semiconductor memory, a magnetic medium, or an optical medium. The

  In S101 of the liquid level measurement flow, the integrated value ΣF of the volume flow rate Fv stored in the memory 80b is initialized to a zero value. Here, the volume flow rate Fv means the volume of the gas 5 flowing back through the first guide passage 12 per unit time, and the integrated value ΣF means a value obtained by integrating the volume flow rate Fv for the duration of the backflow state. To do.

  Next, in S102, the state between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4 is set to the cutoff state Si in FIG. 2 by closing the control valve 60 by controlling the output of the control signal. Subsequently, in S103, the gas supply source 40 is controlled by the output of the control signal, whereby the compressed supply of the gas 5 to the first guide passage 12 is executed. As a result of S102 and S103, the gas 5 from the gas phase space 4 opens the check valve 50 to flow downstream through the first guide passage 12 as shown in FIG. This restricts the downstream flow in the third guide passage 32.

  Furthermore, in S104, it is determined whether or not the required supply time Tf has elapsed since the start of the supply of the gas 5 in S103. Here, the necessary supply time Tf is set in advance to a time necessary for filling the entire first guide passage 12 with the gas 5 and purging the gas 5 from the downstream end 14 a into the liquid 3. Thus, S104 is repeatedly executed while the negative determination is made in S104 because the necessary supply time Tf has not elapsed. On the other hand, if a positive determination is made in S104 that the necessary supply time Tf has elapsed, the process proceeds to S105.

  In S105, the compressed supply of the gas 5 to the first guide passage 12 is stopped by controlling the gas supply source 40 by the output of the control signal. Subsequently, in S106, the switching valve 60 is controlled and opened by the output of the control signal, so that the state between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4 is changed from the shut-off state Si in FIG. 2 to the communication state Sc in FIG. Switch to

  Furthermore, in S107, the volume flow rate Fv is detected by the volume flow meter 70, and the detected value of the volume flow rate Fv is acquired from the volume flow meter 70 based on the output detection signal. At this time, in S107, the gas 5 is pushed by the inflow of the liquid 3 into the first guide passage 12 as shown in FIG. 3 and flows back through the passage 12, so that the check valve 50 is closed and the volume of the gas 5 is closed. The flow rate Fv is detected by the volume flow meter 70. Subsequently, in S108, the detected value of the volume flow rate Fv in S107 is integrated, and an integrated value ΣF from the supply stop of the gas 5 in S105 is acquired. At this time, in S108, whenever the integrated value ΣF of the volume flow rate Fv is acquired, the stored value of the integrated value ΣF in the memory 80b is updated with the acquired value.

  Further, in S109, it is determined based on a detection signal output from the volume flow meter 70 whether or not the backflow state in the first guide passage 12 has ended. As a result, while the negative determination is made in S109 because the volume flow Fv detected by the volume flow meter 70 is greater than 0, the process returns to S107. On the other hand, if the positive determination is made in S109 because the volume flow rate Fv detected by the volume flow meter 70 becomes substantially 0, the process proceeds to S110.

  In S110, the liquid level LL is calculated based on the latest integrated value ΣF stored in the memory 80b. At this time, in S110, as the liquid 3 flows into the first guide passage 12 to substantially the same position as the liquid level LL as shown in FIG. 1, the gas 5 is pushed up to the upstream side. Therefore, assuming that the volume of the inflowing liquid 3 is substantially equal to the integrated value ΣF, the integrated value ΣF is divided by the passage sectional area of the first guide passage 12. The value derived by such division represents the liquid level LL.

  However, in the present embodiment, assuming that the gas 5 compressed in the shut-off state Si expands in volume at the time of backflow in the communication state Sc, the calculated value of the liquid level LL by S110 is corrected by S111 following S110. To do. Specifically, in S111, the calculated value of the liquid level LL is corrected based on the estimation result by estimating the volume expansion amount δV of the gas 5 flowing backward in the communication state Sc. At this time, the volume expansion amount δV is estimated in consideration of, for example, a head pressure corresponding to the liquid level LL. At this time, the correction value subtracted from the calculated value of the liquid level LL is derived by dividing the volume expansion amount δV by the passage cross-sectional area of the first guide passage 12. When the liquid level LL is measured after such correction, the process returns to S101 in the main liquid level measurement flow, but before the return, the measured value of the liquid level LL is displayed on a display device, for example. May be.

  In the first embodiment described above, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S102, S103, and S104 constructs a “supply control unit”. Further, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S101, S105, S106, S107, S108, and S109 constructs a “flow rate integration control unit”. Furthermore, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S110 and S111 constructs a “level calculation unit”.

(Function and effect)
The operational effects of the first embodiment described so far will be described below.

  According to the first embodiment, the gas 5 is compressed and supplied to the gas phase space 4 in which the gas 5 accumulates above the liquid 3 in the container 2 under a shut-off state Si that blocks communication of the first guide passage 12. Then, the liquid is purged from the downstream end 14a of the first guide passage 12 into the liquid. After that, when the first guide passage 12 is switched from the previous shut-off state Si to the communication state Sc where the first guide passage 12 communicates with the gas phase space 4 inside the container 2 on the upstream side of the downstream end 14a, the supply of the gas 5 is stopped. The liquid 3 flows into the first guide passage 12 from the downstream end 14a. As a result, the gas 5 pushed by the inflowing liquid 3 in the guide passage 12 flows back from the upstream side to the gas phase space 4 side by flowing backward from the downstream end 14a. At this time, the volume flow rate Fv of the gas 5 is detected and further integrated. As a result, the integrated value ΣF of the volume flow rate Fv from the supply stop represents the volume of the liquid 3 that has flowed to the position corresponding to the liquid level LL in the first guide passage 12, and therefore the integrated value ΣF Based on this, the liquid level LL can be accurately calculated. Thus, in the first embodiment, it is possible to increase the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL by using the phenomenon in which the liquid 3 flows into the first guide passage 12 due to the supply stop of the gas 5. ing.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the gas 5 sucked from the gas phase space 4 by the gas supply source 40 under the shut-off state Si between the first guide channel 12 and the gas phase space 4 enters the first guide channel 12. Supplied with. As a result, the volume of the gas phase space 4 is less likely to fluctuate, so that fluctuations in the liquid level LL appearing below the gas phase space 4 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to increase the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the gas 5 that has flowed back upstream from the downstream end 14a in the first guide passage 12 under the communication state Sc between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4 is the gas phase. It flows into the space 4. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the pressure difference of the gas 5 between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4. According to this, the liquid 3 can be accurately flowed to the position corresponding to the liquid level LL in the first guide passage 12. Therefore, based on the integrated value ΣF of the volume flow rate Fv representing the volume of the inflowing liquid 3, the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL can be increased.

  Here, the container 2 that realizes both the supply of the suction gas 5 from the gas phase space 4 to the first guide passage 12 and the return of the backflow gas 5 in the first guide passage 12 to the gas phase space 4. In the normal use state, the guide passages 12, 22, 32 and the gas phase space 4 are not opened to the outside. According to this, an error occurring in the calculated value of the liquid level LL due to the difference in atmospheric pressure between the highland and the lowland can be eliminated. Therefore, it is particularly effective in increasing the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, the volume expansion amount δV of the gas 5 that has flowed back upstream from the downstream end 14a in the first guide passage 12 in communication with the gas phase space 4 is estimated. Thus, the calculation value correction of the liquid level LL based on the estimation result is realized. According to this, even if the integrated value ΣF of the volume flow rate Fv is acquired larger than the normal value because the gas 5 compressed in the shut-off state Si expands in volume at the time of backflow in the communication state Sc, Based on the estimation result of the volume expansion amount δV, it is possible to eliminate an error that occurs in the calculated value of the liquid level LL. Therefore, it is particularly effective in increasing the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL.

(Second embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 5, the second embodiment of the present invention is a modification of the first embodiment.

  In the liquid level measurement flow according to the second embodiment, S2101 to S2103 are executed before the execution of S101. Specifically, in S2101, the switching valve 60 is controlled and opened by the output of a control signal, thereby setting the state between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4 to the communication state Sc. Subsequently, in S2102, the gas supply source 40 is controlled by the output of the control signal, so that the compressed supply of the gas 5 to the first guide passage 12 is executed. Further, in S2103, it is determined whether or not the volume flow rate Fv is detected by the volume flow meter 70. As a result, if the volume flow rate Fv is detected, that is, if the volume flow meter 70 and the gas supply source 40 are normal and an affirmative determination is made in S2103, the process proceeds to S101. On the other hand, when a negative determination is made in S2103 because the volume flow rate Fv is not detected, that is, the abnormality of the volume flow meter 70 that cannot detect the volume flow rate Fv or the abnormality of the gas supply source 40 that cannot supply the gas 5 occurs. For example, the liquid level measurement flow is terminated as a warning is issued by a display device or an acoustic device. In the second embodiment, the state between the first guide passage 12 and the gas phase space 4 is switched from the communication state Sc to the shut-off state Si in S102 after the transition from S2103 to S101. No. 5 compression supply is continued from the previous S2102. In addition, after execution of S111, the process returns to S2101.

  In the liquid level measurement flow according to the second embodiment, S2104 is further executed between S106 and S107. Specifically, in S2104 that moves from S106, it is determined whether or not the volume flow rate Fv is detected by the volume flow meter 70. As a result, when the volume flow rate Fv is detected, that is, when the switching valve 60 and the first guide passage 12 are normal and an affirmative determination is made in S2104, the process proceeds to S107. On the other hand, if a negative determination is made in S2104 due to an abnormality in the switching valve 60 or the first guide passage 12 in which the volume flow rate Fv is not detected, that is, the reverse flow Fr is not generated, for example, a display device or an acoustic device As a warning is issued, the liquid level measurement flow ends.

  In the second embodiment described above, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S2101, S2102, S2103, S102, S103, and S104 constructs a “supply control unit”. Further, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S101, S105, S106, S2104, S107, S108, and S109 constructs a “flow rate integration control unit”.

  Also by such 2nd embodiment, it is possible to exhibit the same effect as 1st embodiment.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, when the volume flow rate Fv is detected because the volume flow meter 70 and the gas supply source 40 are normal under the communication state Sc, the gas under the switching to the cutoff state Si is detected. 5 is executed. According to this, the situation where the liquid level LL is erroneously measured after the supply of the gas 5 is stopped due to the abnormality of the gas supply source 40 or the volume flow meter 70 is avoided, and the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL is increased. It is possible.

  Moreover, according to the second embodiment, when the volume flow rate Fv is detected because the switching valve 60 and the first guide passage 12 are normal under the communication state Sc switched from the gas supply stop and shut-off state Si to the gas flow. The volume flow rate Fv is integrated and supplied to the liquid level LL. According to this, it is possible to avoid a situation where the liquid level LL is erroneously measured due to the abnormality of the first guide passage 12 or the switching valve 60, and to increase the measurement accuracy of the liquid level LL.

(Other embodiments)
Although a plurality of embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not construed as being limited to these embodiments, and can be applied to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. be able to.

  In the first modification relating to the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, a switching point 36 c is arranged between the upstream end 36 a and the detection point 36 b in the third upstream pipe portion 36 of the third guide pipe 30. May be. Moreover, in the modification 2 regarding 1st and 2nd embodiment, it replaces with the mechanical check valve 50, as shown in FIG. In the case of the second modification, the output of the control signal from the electronic control unit 80 causes the opening / closing valve 1050 to be opened when the shut-off state Si is set in S102, while the valve 1050 is closed when switching to the communication state Sc in S106. Let me speak.

  In the third modification regarding the first and second embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8 (the modification is the third modification of the first embodiment), the volume flow meter 70 for detecting the volume flow rate Fv per unit time is used. The integrated flow meter 1070 that detects the integrated value ΣF together with the flow rate Fv may be employed as the “flow rate detection unit”. In the case of this modification 3, as shown in FIG. 9, in S1107 instead of S107 and S108, the volume flow rate Fv and the integrated value ΣF from the supply stop are detected by the integrated flow meter 1070, and the detected integrated value ΣF is stored in the memory. Update at 80b. In the third modification of FIG. 8, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S101, S105, S106, S1107, and S109 constructs a “flow rate integration control unit”.

  In the modification 4 regarding 1st and 2nd embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, it is not necessary to perform correction | amendment by S111. Moreover, in the modification 5 regarding 1st and 2nd embodiment, as shown to FIG. 11 (the figure is the modification 5 of 1st embodiment), supply of the gas 5 by S105 or the communication state Sc by S106 is carried out. Whether or not the necessary detection time Td has elapsed since switching may be determined in S1109 instead of S109. In the case of this modified example 5, while the negative determination is made in S1109, the process returns to S107, and when the positive determination is made in S1109, the process proceeds to S110. Here, the required detection time Td is set in advance to a time required to end the backflow state of the gas 5 in the first guide passage 12. In addition, in the modification 5 of FIG. 11, the electronic control unit 80 which performs S101, S105, S106, S107, S108, S1109 constructs a “flow rate integration control unit”.

  In the modification 6 regarding 2nd embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, in S2105 between S101 and S102, by controlling the gas supply source 40 by the output of a control signal, the gas 5 to the first guide passage 12 is controlled. The compression supply may be temporarily stopped. In the case of this modified example 6, the compression supply of the gas 5 is re-executed in S103, which moves from S2015 through S102. In Modification 6 of FIG. 12, the electronic control unit 80 that executes S2101, S2102, S2103, S102, S2105, S103, and S104 constructs a “supply control unit”.

  In the modified example 7 regarding the first and second embodiments, the upstream end 26 a of the second upstream pipe portion 26 of the second guide pipe 20 may be disposed outside the container 2. Moreover, in the modification 8 regarding 1st and 2nd embodiment, you may arrange | position the downstream end 34a of the 3rd downstream pipe part 34 among the 3rd guide pipes 30 outside the container 2. FIG.

  In the modification 9 regarding the first and second embodiments, the first downstream pipe portion 14 of the first guide pipe 10 is disposed to be inclined with respect to the vertical direction inside the container 2, so that the downstream end 14 a is directed downward. You may turn it. Moreover, in the modification 10 regarding 1st and 2nd embodiment, the 1st downstream pipe part 14 is penetrated in the surrounding wall 2c among the containers 2 among the 1st guide pipes 10, and it becomes an inverted L shape inside the container 2. The downstream end 14a may be directed downward by bending.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid level measuring apparatus, 2 container, 3 liquid, 4 gas phase space, 5 gas, 10 1st guide pipe, 12 1st guide path, 14a downstream end, 20 2nd guide pipe, 22 2nd guide path, 30 3rd guide pipe, 32 3rd guide passage, 40 gas supply source, 50 check valve, 60 switching valve, 70 volumetric flow meter, 80 electronic control unit, 1050 open / close valve, 1070 integrating flow meter, Fr reverse flow, Fv volume flow rate, LL liquid level, Sc communication state, Si cutoff state, δV volume expansion, ΣF integrated value

Claims (6)

A liquid level measuring device (1) for measuring a liquid level (LL) of a liquid (3) stored in a container (2),
A passage member (10) having a downstream end (14a) that opens into the liquid inside the container and in which a guide passage (12) for guiding the gas (5) to the downstream end is formed;
A gas supply unit (40) for compressing and supplying the gas to the guide passage;
A communication state (Sc) for communicating the guide passage upstream of the downstream end with respect to the gas phase space (4) in which the gas accumulates above the liquid in the container, the guide passage, A switching unit (60) for switching between a shut-off state (Si) for shutting off the communication of the gas phase space;
A flow rate detection unit (70, 1070) for detecting the volumetric flow rate (Fv) of the gas flowing from the upstream side of the downstream end to the gas phase space side in the communication path under the communication state;
A supply control unit (S102, S103, S104, S2101, S2102) that purges the gas into the liquid from the downstream end by executing the supply of the gas by the gas supply unit in the shut-off state by the switching unit. S2103, S2105),
A flow rate integration control unit (S101, S105) that integrates the volume flow rate detected by the flow rate detection unit under the communication state in which the gas supply unit stops the gas supply and is switched from the shut-off state by the switching unit. , S106, S107, S108, S109, S1107, S1109, S2104),
Level calculation units (S110, S111) for calculating the liquid level based on the integrated value (ΣF) of the volumetric flow rate integrated by the flow rate integration control unit from the supply stop of the gas by the gas supply unit, A liquid level measuring device comprising:   2. The liquid level measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gas supply unit supplies the gas sucked from the gas phase space to the guide passage in the shut-off state.   3. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches to the communication state in which the gas that has flowed back upstream from the downstream end in the guide passage flows into the gas phase space. 4. Surface level measuring device.   The level calculation unit estimates the volume expansion amount (δV) of the gas that has flowed back upstream from the downstream end in the guide passage under the communication state, and based on the estimation result, the level of the liquid level The liquid level measurement apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the calculated value is corrected.   The supply control unit (S102, S103, S104, S2101, S2102, S2103, S2105) executes the supply of the gas by the gas supply unit under the communication state by the switching unit, and the flow rate detection unit causes the flow rate detection unit to 5. The gas supply by the gas supply unit is performed by switching the communication state to the shut-off state by the switching unit when a volume flow rate is detected. The liquid level measuring apparatus according to the item.   The flow rate integration control unit (S101, S105, S106, S107, S108, S109, S2104) stops the gas supply by the gas supply unit and switches from the shut-off state by the switching unit. The liquid level measurement apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the volume flow rate is integrated when the volume flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection unit.

Images