JP2017187291A - Liquid level gauge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid level gauge with which it is possible to maintain the vertical posture of a stem and keep the lower end of the stem apart from the bottom of an underground tank by a prescribed distance, even for a riser pipe having an inside diameter slightly larger than the outside diameter of a float.SOLUTION: Provided is a liquid level gauge 1 comprising a flange 3 provided above an underground tank 15 for conduit disposition, a body case 5 located above the flange, a stem 6 extended downward from the body case for accommodating a magnetostriction wire and a detecting coil, and a float 9 vertically oscillatably attached to the stem, floating so as to track the liquid level and having a detecting magnet, for measuring a liquid level in the underground tank via the detecting magnet and the detecting coil when a current is applied to the magnetostriction wire via the body case, wherein the body case and the flange are connected by height adjustable connection members 11, 12. The connection members may be constituted by a plurality of supports.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid level gauge, and more particularly, to a liquid level gauge that measures the oil level of a liquid stored in an underground tank in a gas station or factory facility.

  Conventionally, in order to store liquid in gas stations and factory facilities, multiple underground tanks formed as cylindrical sealed containers are embedded, and liquids such as gasoline and chemicals are stored in these underground tanks by type, It is supplied to the vehicle from a fueling device installed on the ground or supplied to factory equipment.

  The amount of liquid stored in the underground tank is controlled by a level gauge. If the stem of this level gauge is tilted with respect to the vertical axis, the float that follows the liquid level will move the stem up and down. Therefore, it was necessary to maintain the vertical posture of the stem properly.

  Further, in order to cope with the deformation of the underground tank when the liquid is injected into the underground tank for the first time, when installing the liquid level gauge, the lower end of the stem is separated from the bottom of the underground tank by a predetermined distance (for example, about 10 mm). It was necessary to let them.

  In order to solve these problems, Patent Document 1 discloses that a protective pipe is provided on the outer periphery of the stem to maintain the vertical posture of the stem, and the protective pipe is simply attached to the flange portion of the rising pipe rising from the underground tank. And the liquid level meter comprised so that the lower end of a stem can be spaced apart from the bottom part of an underground tank by predetermined distance is disclosed.

JP 2009-229377 A

  However, the riser pipe for installing the liquid level gauge in the underground tank generally has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the float, and the protective pipe described in Patent Document 1 is provided outside the float. Since it is larger than the diameter, it cannot be inserted into a general-purpose riser, and there is a possibility that the above-described effect cannot be obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the problems in the prior art described above, and maintains the vertical posture of the stem even when the riser has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the float. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level gauge capable of separating the lower end of the stem by a predetermined distance from the bottom of the underground tank.

  In order to achieve the above object, the liquid level gauge of the present invention comprises a flange provided above the underground tank for disposing a pipe line, a body case positioned above the flange, and a downward extending from the body case. A main body, and a stem that accommodates a magnetostrictive wire and a detection coil; and a float that is slidably attached to the stem in a vertical direction, floats so as to follow the liquid level, and has a detection magnet. In a liquid level gauge that measures the liquid level in the underground tank via the detection magnet and the detection coil when a current is applied to the magnetostrictive wire via the case, the main body case and the flange are Further, it is connected by a height-adjustable connecting member.

  According to the present invention, since the main body case and the flange are connected by the height-adjustable connecting member, the distance between the lower end of the stem and the bottom of the underground tank can be easily adjusted by adjusting the height of the connecting member. Can be adjusted. Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a protective pipe, a liquid level gauge can be installed in a general-purpose riser.

  Further, in the liquid level gauge, the connecting member is constituted by a plurality of supports, so that the vertical posture of the stem can be maintained and the vibration of the stem can be prevented.

  The stem between the main body case and the flange can be provided with a second float that is slidable in the vertical direction and has a detection magnet. As a result, it is possible to detect that the underground tank has been submerged, or that fuel oil has leaked from the fueling device.

  A mesh-like cylindrical member surrounding the second float can be provided on the outer periphery of the stem between the main body case and the flange, thereby preventing entry of foreign matter.

  A cylindrical member surrounding the second float and having an inflow hole formed in the upper part may be provided on the outer periphery of the stem between the main body case and the flange. Thereby, for example, it can be seen that after the underground tank was submerged, it was submerged even after water was drawn from the upper surface of the underground tank.

  The second float may be configured to have a specific gravity smaller than water or seawater and larger than fuel oil or smaller than fuel oil. This makes it possible to detect the intrusion of water or oil. In addition, by having a specific gravity smaller than seawater, when a level gauge is installed at a coastal gas station, etc., it is possible to grasp that a tsunami or storm surge has rushed to the gas station. It can be used for evacuation guidance in conjunction with the above.

  On the other hand, the second float has a specific gravity smaller than that of the fuel oil, and surrounds the second float on the outer periphery of the stem between the main body case and the flange, and a cylindrical shape partially made of an oil-soluble material. A member can be provided. As a result, the oil-soluble material is dissolved in the fuel oil, the fuel oil enters the tubular member from the melted portion, and the second float in the tubular member floats, so that the fuel oil leaks from the fuel supply device. Can be detected.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when the riser pipe has an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the float, the vertical posture of the stem is maintained and the lower end of the stem is set at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the underground tank. It is possible to provide a liquid level gauge that can be separated from each other only.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows 1st Embodiment of the liquid level meter which concerns on this invention, and shows the state installed in the underground tank. It is a figure which shows the upper part of the liquid level gauge of FIG. 1, Comprising: (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a partial cross section front view, (c) is a left view of (b). It is a schematic sectional drawing for demonstrating height adjustment of the lower end of the stem of the liquid level gauge of FIG. 1, Comprising: A part of liquid level gauge is abbreviate | omitted. 2 shows a second embodiment of the liquid level gauge according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of (b). Only the top of is shown. 3 shows a third embodiment of the liquid level gauge according to the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of (b). Only the top of is shown. 4 shows a liquid level gauge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a perspective view, (b) is a front view, and (c) is a partial longitudinal sectional view of (b). Only the top of is shown.

  Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a case where the liquid level gauge according to the present invention is installed in an underground tank of a gas station will be described as an example.

  1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a liquid level gauge according to the present invention. This liquid level gauge 1 includes a flange 3 provided at the upper end of a riser pipe 2 located above an underground tank 15, and FIG. A vertical tube assembly 4 disposed at a connection portion between the rising pipe 2 and the flange 3, a main body case 5 positioned above the flange 3, a stem 6 extending downward from the main body case 5, and fixed to the stem 6 The reference float 7 is mounted on the stem 6 so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, floats so as to follow the liquid level, has a detection magnet (not shown), an oil float 9, and both floats. The body case 5 and the flange 3 are connected and fixed by a stud bolt 11 and a nut 12 (12A to 12D).

  As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the vertical pipe assembly 4 closes the upper end opening of the riser pipe 2, seals between the flange 3 and the stem 6, and connects the electric wire between the main body case 5 and the underground tank 15. A main body 4a that is provided to insulate and is formed in a cylindrical shape with a small diameter at the top and a large diameter at the bottom, a rubber packing 4b that is provided in the main body 4a and seals the outer periphery of the stem 6, and an upper side of the rubber packing 4b And a cylindrical cable gland 4c whose upper part is formed in a large-diameter flange shape, and a seal tape 4d that is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the main body 4a and seals between the main body 4a and the flange 3 Is done.

  The main body case 5 is provided to accommodate a main body such as a circuit connected to a magnetostrictive wire of the stem 6 to be described later, and the main body outputs a recording unit for recording the measured liquid level and the recorded data to the outside. An output unit and the like are provided. Since the main body case 5 is connected to the flange 3 via the four stud bolts 11 and the four nuts 12 (12A to 12D), the vertical posture of the stem 6 can be maintained. Moreover, the height of the main body case 5 and the stem 6 can be freely adjusted by adjusting the fastening position of the nut 12, that is, the distance between the nuts 12A and 12B and the nuts 12C and 12D.

  A magnetostrictive wire (not shown) and a detection coil are provided inside the stem 6, and the liquid level gauge 1 is provided with a water float 8 and an oil float 9 when current is applied to the magnetostrictive wire through the main body. The detection coil can detect the position of the detection magnet and measure the liquid level in the underground tank 15. The reference magnet 7 is provided as a measurement origin of the water float 8 and the oil float 9.

  According to the level gauge 1, when the level of the fuel oil in the underground tank 15 changes due to unloading or refueling, the oil float 9 floats and sinks following the level of the fuel oil. Further, the water float 8 floats and sinks following the liquid level of the water that has entered the underground tank 15. The positions of the water float 8 and the oil float 9 are detected by the detection magnets of the water float 8 and the oil float 9 and the detection coil of the stem 6, and the inside of the underground tank 15 is determined from the positional relationship between the oil float 9 and the water float 8. Measure the amount of fuel oil.

  On the other hand, as described above, the liquid level gauge 1 is arranged so that the lower end 6 a of the stem 6 is separated from the bottom of the underground tank 15 by about 10 mm in consideration of deformation of the outer shape of the underground tank 15. Hereinafter, height adjustment of the lower end of the stem 6 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the lower end portion of the stud bolt 11 and the flange 3 are fixed with nuts 12C and 12D. Then, while loosening the nuts 12A, 12B on the main body case 5 side, the lower end 6a of the stem 6 is gradually lowered inside the underground tank 15, and when the lower end 6a of the stem 6 reaches the bottom of the underground tank 15, the main body case 5 Four places are marked on the stat bolt 11 10 mm above (the position of the pencil mark) from the lower surface of the nut 12B positioned at the lower side (the position of the white arrow), and the lower surface of the nut 12B is fixed at that position.

  Next, the nut 12 </ b> A located on the upper side of the main body case 5 is fixed. Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the level gauge 1 is installed in a state where the lower end 6 a of the stem 6 is located at a position separated from the bottom of the underground tank 15 by about 10 mm.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the main body case 5 and the flange 3 are connected via the stud bolt 11 and the nut 12 so that the height can be adjusted, the lower end 6a of the stem 6 when the liquid level gauge 1 is installed. Can be easily adjusted, and the case where the underground tank 15 is deformed can be dealt with. In addition, since only a plurality of stud bolts 11 and nuts 12 are used, and there is no need to use a conventional protective pipe, it is possible to maintain the vertical posture of the stem 6 at the general-purpose rising portion 2.

  In the first embodiment, the case where marking is performed at the time of adjusting the height of the lower end 6a of the stem 6 has been described. However, by using an object having a thickness of about 10 mm as a guide for height adjustment, the marking is performed. It can be omitted.

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the liquid level gauge according to the present invention. This liquid level gauge 21 includes a stem between the main body case 5 and the flange 3 in addition to the configuration of the liquid level gauge 1 of FIG. 6 includes a water float (second float) 22 slidable in the vertical direction and having a detection magnet (not shown), and a mesh-shaped cylindrical member 23 surrounding the water float 22. Although not shown in the drawing, in order to close the upper end opening of the riser 2 and seal between the flange 3 and the stem 6, an equivalent to the soot tube assembly 4 shown in FIG. 1 is provided. Yes.

  In addition to the effects of the liquid level gauge 1, the water float 22 follows the water level when the water level rises due to water entering the manhole in which the main body case 5 and the like are accommodated. By detecting the position of the water float 22 in the same manner as the water float 8 described above, it is possible to detect that water has entered the manhole and its amount. In addition, by providing the mesh-like cylindrical member 23, it is possible to prevent intrusion of foreign matter that has entered with water.

  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the liquid level gauge according to the present invention. This liquid level gauge 31 has a water inflow hole 33a in the upper part instead of the cylindrical member 23 of the liquid level gauge 21 of FIG. A cylindrical member 33 is provided.

  The liquid level gauge 31 having the above configuration detects that when the amount of water exceeding the height of the water inflow hole 33a enters the manhole, the water float 22 rises following the water level and the underground tank is submerged. can do. Further, even if water no longer exists around the cylindrical member 33, water is present inside the cylindrical member 33 and the water float 22 floats, so that water is drawn from the upper surface of the underground tank. But you can see that she was flooded.

  Furthermore, by setting the specific gravity of the water float 22 shown in the second and third embodiments to be smaller than that of seawater, when the liquid level gauge 1 is installed at a coastal gas station, a tsunami or storm surge is generated at the gas station. It is possible to detect that it has rushed to, and it can be used for evacuation guidance in conjunction with the disaster prevention system.

  FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the liquid level gauge according to the present invention. This liquid level gauge 41 is an oil for detecting the oil level instead of the water float 22 of the liquid level gauge 21 of FIG. A float 42 is provided. Moreover, it replaces with the cylindrical member 23 and is provided with the cylindrical member 43 which one part consists of an oil-soluble material.

  The cylindrical member 43 has a slit 43a extending in the vertical direction, and the inside of the slit 43a is made of an oil-soluble material such as foamed styrene or paraffin. FIG. 6 shows a state where the oil-soluble material in the slit 43a is melted in contact with the fuel oil and the slit 43a is opened.

  When the fuel oil from the oil supply device installed on the ground leaks into the manhole in which the main body case 5 and the like are accommodated by the liquid level gauge 41 having the above-described configuration, the oil-soluble material in the slit 43a contacts the fuel oil. And the slit 43a is opened, and fuel oil enters the inside of the cylindrical member 43 from the slit 43a, and the oil float 42 is floated by the fuel oil. By detecting the position of the oil float 42 in the same manner as the oil float 9, leakage of the fuel oil and the amount thereof can be detected.

  In the second and third embodiments, the case where the water float 22 is provided as the second float on the stem 6 between the main body case 5 and the flange 3 has been described. You may provide the oil float for detecting the leakage of the fuel oil from the fuel supply apparatus installed on the ground.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid level gauge 2 Rising pipe 3 Flange 4 Saddle pipe assembly 4a Main body 4b Rubber packing 4c Cable gland 4d Seal tape 5 Main body case 6 Stem 6a Lower end 7 Reference magnet 8 Water float 9 Oil float 10 Stopper 11 Stud bolt 12 (12A-12D ) Nut 15 Underground tank 21 Liquid level gauge 22 Water float 23 Tubular member 31 Liquid level gauge 33 Tubular member 33a Water inlet hole 41 Liquid level gauge 42 Oil float 43 Tubular member 43a Slit

Claims (7)

A flange provided for pipe arrangement above the underground tank;
A body case located above the flange;
A stem extending downward from the main body case and containing a magnetostrictive wire and a detection coil;
It is attached to the stem so as to be slidable in the vertical direction, and floats so as to follow the liquid level, and includes a float having a detection magnet.
In a liquid level gauge that measures the liquid level in the underground tank via the detection magnet and the detection coil when a current is applied to the magnetostrictive line via the main body case,
The main body case and the flange are connected to each other by a height-adjustable connecting member.   The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member includes a plurality of supports.   3. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, further comprising a second float that is slidable in a vertical direction and has a detection magnet in a stem between the main body case and the flange.   The liquid level gauge according to claim 3, further comprising a mesh-like cylindrical member surrounding the second float on an outer periphery of a stem between the main body case and the flange.   4. The liquid level gauge according to claim 3, further comprising a cylindrical member that surrounds the second float and has an inflow hole formed in an upper portion on an outer periphery of a stem between the main body case and the flange. .   The liquid level gauge according to claim 3, 4 or 5, wherein the second float is smaller than water or seawater and has a specific gravity larger than fuel oil or smaller than fuel oil. The second float has a specific gravity smaller than that of the fuel oil;
The liquid level gauge according to claim 3, further comprising a cylindrical member surrounding the second float and partially made of an oil-soluble material on an outer periphery of a stem between the main body case and the flange.

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