JP2023131464A - Management device, management method, and management program - Google Patents

Abstract

To assist in improving the efficiency of inspections.SOLUTION: A management device includes a first acquiring unit and a calculating unit. A backflow preventer has a first check valve, a second check valve, and a relief valve. The first check valve has an intermediate chamber between a primary flow path and a secondary flow path and prevents the flow from the intermediate chamber to the primary flow path. The second check valve prevents the flow from the secondary flow path to the intermediate chamber. The relief valve discharges a liquid from the intermediate chamber. The first acquiring unit acquires at least two pressure values of pressures applied to the primary flow path, the intermediate chamber, and the secondary flow path in the backflow preventer. The calculation unit calculates from at least the two pressure values at least one of a first differential pressure applied to the first check valve, a second differential pressure applied to the relief valve, and a third differential pressure applied to the second check valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to technology for inspecting water supply devices.

In a direct water supply system, in order to prevent backflow from the water supply device to the water distribution pipe, a backflow preventer such as a pressure reducing type is connected between the water distribution pipe connected to the water main and the water supply device. Guidelines for direct water supply systems require regular inspections of the backflow preventers once a year, and inspection workers check whether the backflow preventers are operating properly.
However, inspection of the backflow preventer requires a special differential pressure gauge, and the inspection process is complicated. Furthermore, there is a problem of a shortage of inspection workers, so the burden of inspection work on backflow preventers is heavy.
As a method to notify abnormalities in the backflow prevention device at times other than inspection timing, the pressures in the primary and secondary flow paths are measured, and based on predetermined conditions, the check valve on the secondary side is detected as abnormal. There is a monitoring device that issues an alarm (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Patent No. 2891147

However, the above-mentioned monitoring device only checks for malfunctions in the water supply device, and requires an inspection worker to go to the site and check during periodic inspections, so the inspection work itself cannot be reduced.
The present invention aims to assist in improving the efficiency of inspection.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the management device includes a first acquisition unit and a calculation unit. The first acquisition unit has an intermediate chamber between the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and a first check valve that prevents flow from the intermediate chamber into the primary flow path; In the backflow preventer, the backflow preventer includes a second check valve that prevents liquid from flowing into the intermediate chamber from the secondary flow path, and a relief valve that discharges liquid from the intermediate chamber. At least two pressure values of the pressures applied to each of the chamber and the secondary flow path are acquired. The calculation unit calculates at least a first differential pressure across the first check valve, a second differential pressure across the relief valve, and a third differential pressure across the second check valve from the at least two pressure values. Calculate one.

According to the present invention, it is possible to support inspection efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a management system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a pump device according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows the example of a structure of the backflow preventer based on this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram showing a first operation example of the management device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a second operation example of the management device according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of determination processing by the management device according to the first embodiment. A table showing an example of pump information stored in the management server. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a pump device according to a second embodiment. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of determination processing by the management device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a management device according to a third embodiment.

Hereinafter, a management device, a management method, and a management program according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, hereinafter, elements that are the same or similar to elements that have already been explained will be given the same or similar numerals, and overlapping explanations will basically be omitted. For example, when there are multiple identical or similar elements, a common code may be used to explain each element without distinction, or a common code may be used to distinguish and explain each element. In addition, branch numbers may also be used.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a management system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the management system includes a management server 1, a plurality of pump devices 3-n (n is an index), a plurality of backflow preventers 5-n, and a plurality of terminals 7-n. Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which n is 2, there is no need to limit it to this, and n may be any number as long as it is 1 or more. Hereinafter, unless otherwise distinguished, they will be simply referred to as the pump device 3, backflow preventer 5, and terminal 7. The management system is a computer system that manages the operating state of the pump device 3, the pressure value measured with respect to the backflow preventer 5, etc. using the management server 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the management server 1, pump device 3, and terminal 7 are connected via a network NW, a mobile communication network such as 4G or 5G, or a relatively long-distance wireless communication line such as Wimax. be done. In addition to the wireless communication line described above, the pump device 3 and the terminal 7 also use relatively short-range wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC (Near Filed Communication), and infrared communication. It is assumed that the connection is made by means. Note that the pump device 3 and the terminal 7 may be connected via a wired communication line such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or a LAN (Local Area Network) connection using a cable.

The management server 1 is a computer having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), a display device, an input device, and a communication device. The management server 1 has a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or an integrated circuit storage device for managing various data related to the plurality of pump devices 3. The mass storage device will be referred to as a database. For example, the management server 1 stores various data regarding the pump device 3 in a database, and manages the operating status of the pump device 3. Note that the management server 1 is not limited to an on-premises server, and may be a cloud server.

The pump device 3 is, for example, a mechanical device (water supply device) that supplies water to a building. The pump device 3 is, for example, a so-called direct connection pressure increase type water supply device that is directly connected to a water main, directly increases the pressure of water flowing through the water main, and supplies water to a destination such as a faucet or shower head installed in a building. shall be. Note that the type of the pump device 3 according to the present embodiment is not limited to the direct connection pressure increasing type, but may be a direct connection direct pressure type.

The backflow preventer 5 is connected to the pump device 3 in order to prevent backflow from the pump device 3 (secondary flow path) to the water main (primary flow path). The backflow preventer 5 assumed in this embodiment is a reduced-pressure type backflow preventer having an intermediate chamber between a primary flow path and a secondary flow path. The backflow preventer 5 includes a first check valve that prevents flow from the intermediate chamber to the primary flow path, a second check valve that prevents flow from the secondary flow path to the intermediate chamber, and and a relief valve for discharging liquid from the valve. If the first check valve and the second check valve are not operating normally and negative pressure or reverse pressure is applied to the primary side or the secondary side, the check valve 5 will close the relief valve. It has a structure that opens to drain water from the intermediate chamber and prevents backflow by forming an air layer. The backflow preventer 5 includes a pressure sensor 51 that measures each pressure in the primary flow path, the intermediate chamber, and the secondary flow path, and a water leakage sensor 52 that detects water leakage from the intermediate chamber.

The terminal 7 is a communication terminal that can be carried by a user such as an inspection worker, and examples thereof include a notebook PC and a mobile terminal (smartphone, feature phone, tablet). Note that the terminal 7 may be a communication device configured exclusively for managing the pump device 3. The pump device 3 may be controllable from the terminal 7; for example, an application for controlling the pump device 3 (hereinafter also referred to as a control application) may be installed, or the pump device 3 may be controllable from a web browser. You can also use it as

Next, the pump device 3 according to the first embodiment will be explained with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 2.
The pump device 3 includes a control panel 30 and a pump section 60. The pump device 3 may also include a suction pipe and a discharge pipe (not shown). In the pump device 3, the pump unit 60 takes in water on the primary side via the suction pipe, and supplies water to the secondary side via the discharge pipe. The suction pipe connects, for example, a water branch pipe branched from a water main pipe and the pump section 60 . The discharge piping connects the pump section 60 and its secondary water supply destination. The pump device 3 may include a plurality of pump units 60. In this case, the pump device 3 can perform alternate operation in which a plurality of pump units 60 are driven alternately, parallel operation in which a plurality of pump units 60 are driven simultaneously, and the like. The backflow preventer 5 is connected to the primary side of the pump section 60 via piping.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control panel 30 includes a short-range communication device 31, a long-range communication device 32, an input device 33, an inverter 34, an interface 35, and a display device 36, which are connected to each other via a bus. , a storage device 37, and a processor 38.

The short-range communication device 31 is equipped with a wireless communication module 311 compliant with wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or NFC, and performs short-range wireless communication. The short-range communication device 31 may perform short-range communication using a wired communication standard such as USB. The short-range communication device 31 sets the operation mode of the pump device 3 and sends and receives various data to and from the terminal 7 via a short-range communication line.

The long-distance communication device 32 performs long-distance communication using wireless communication standards such as mobile communication networks, Wimax, and Wi-Fi. The long-distance communication device 32 sends and receives various data to and from the management server 1 via a long-distance communication line.

The input device 33 converts the user's instructions into electrical signals. As the input device 33, for example, an operation panel, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, various switches, etc. may be used. Note that a voice input device may be used as the input device 33. Electrical signals from input device 33 are supplied to processor 38 via a bus.

Inverter 34 generates power to operate pump section 60 . Specifically, the inverter 34 supplies AC power at a predetermined frequency to (the motor of) the pump section 60. Inverter 34 also receives an inverter control signal from processor 38. Inverter 34 operates according to the inverter control signal. For example, the inverter 34 stops or starts operation in response to an inverter control signal corresponding to an operation stop signal or an operation start signal. Further, the inverter 34 controls the rotation speed of the motor according to an inverter control signal corresponding to the rotation speed control signal.

Specifically, the inverter 34 includes a converter circuit, a smoothing capacitor, and an inverter circuit (not shown). A converter circuit takes in AC power from an AC power source, rectifies it, and converts it into DC power. The smoothing capacitor smoothes the voltage of the DC power output by the converter circuit to obtain DC power with a substantially constant voltage. Then, the inverter circuit converts the DC power obtained by the smoothing capacitor into AC power of a predetermined frequency according to an inverter control signal (corresponding to a rotation speed control signal) from the control panel 30, and supplies the AC power to the motor.

The interface 35 is, for example, an input/output interface such as a port. The interface 35 connects the control panel 30 and the backflow preventer 5, for example, and transmits and receives various data.

The display device 36 displays various data. As the display device 36, any display such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (electroluminescence) display, an LED display, a plasma display, etc. may be used. Note that a projector may be used as the display device 36.

The storage device 37 is a memory device such as a ROM, RAM, HDD, SSD, or integrated circuit storage device that stores various data. The storage device 37 may be realized by one physical memory device, or may be realized by a plurality of physically separated memory devices within the pump device 3. Hereinafter, the storage device 37 will be simply referred to as a memory.

The processor 38 is an arithmetic device such as a CPU or a microprocessor. The processor 38 may be configured by a dedicated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. By executing various programs stored in the storage device 37, the processor 38 performs functions as a management device, such as sensor value acquisition section 381, communication section 382, calculation section 383, determination section 384, and operation. It realizes each function with the control unit 385. Note that the sensor value acquisition section 381, the calculation section 383, the determination section 384, and the operation control section 385 may not be included in the pump device 3; for example, the sensor value acquisition section 381, the calculation section 383, The determination unit 384 and the operation control unit 385 may be included in the management server 1 and each process may be executed in the management server 1.
In this way, the management device may be included in the pump device 3, may be included in the management server 1, or each part may be distributed and arranged in the pump device 3 and the management server 1, and the management device as a whole may be included in the pump device 3 or the management server 1. The function of a management device may also be realized.

The sensor value acquisition unit 381 acquires at least two pressure values among the pressures applied to each of the primary flow path, the intermediate chamber, and the secondary flow path from the pressure sensor 51 disposed in the backflow preventer 5. The sensor value acquisition unit 381 may acquire the pressure value from the pressure sensor 51 via wire, or may acquire the pressure value from the pressure sensor 51 via wireless.

The communication unit 382 transmits and receives operating data and pressure data such as pressure values and differential pressures to and from the terminal 7 with which a connection has been established or to the management server 1 via the long-distance communication device 32.
Regarding the establishment of a wireless connection, for example, if it is Bluetooth, it is sufficient to establish the wireless connection by a general pairing connection, or if it is Wi-Fi, the SSID and A wireless connection may be established by entering a password. Note that once a wireless connection has been established between the pump device 3 and the terminal 7, the wireless connection will be automatically established by turning on the wireless function of the terminal 7 and approaching the pump device 3. do.

The calculation unit 383 calculates a first differential pressure across the first check valve, a second differential pressure across the relief valve, and a third differential pressure across the second check valve from the pressure value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 381. Calculate at least one of the following:

The determination unit 384 receives information on the differential pressures of the first check valve, the second check valve, and the relief valve from the calculation unit 383, and receives water leakage information regarding the presence or absence of water leakage from the water leakage sensor 52. The determination unit 384 determines whether there is a failure in the backflow preventer 5 based on each differential pressure and water leakage information.

The operation control unit 385 controls water flowing and stopping of the pump device 3 so that the first differential pressure, the second differential pressure, and the third differential pressure change.

Note that the number of boards constituting the control panel 30 can be arbitrarily designed, and each board has a short range communication device 31, a long distance communication device 32, an input device 33, an inverter 34, an interface 35, a display device 36, and a storage device. 37 and the processor 38 to be physically installed can be arbitrarily designed. In addition, although the sensor value acquisition unit 381, the communication unit 382, the calculation unit 383, the determination unit 384, and the operation control unit 385 are assumed to be handled by one processor 38, they may be implemented by physically separate processors. may share the burden.

Next, a configuration example of the backflow preventer 5 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3.
The backflow preventer 5 shown in FIG. 3 includes a pressure sensor 51, a first check valve 53, a second check valve 54, a relief valve 55, and a water leakage sensor 52.

Specifically, the pressure sensor 51 includes a first pressure sensor 51-1, a second pressure sensor 51-2, and a third pressure sensor 51-3.
The first pressure sensor 51-1 is arranged on the primary side and measures the pressure in the primary side flow path. In other words, the pressure applied to the first check valve 53 from the primary side is measured. The first pressure sensor 51-1 may be placed at any position as long as it can measure the pressure applied to the first check valve 53.

The second pressure sensor 51-2 is placed on the secondary side and measures the pressure in the secondary flow path. In other words, the pressure applied to the second check valve 54 from the secondary side is measured. Like the first pressure sensor 51-1, the second pressure sensor 51-2 may be placed at any position as long as it can measure the pressure applied to the second check valve 54.

The third pressure sensor 51-3 is arranged in the intermediate chamber IR and measures the pressure in the intermediate chamber IR. The third pressure sensor 51-3 may also be placed at any position as long as it can measure the pressure applied to the relief valve 55. Note that the pressure applied to the relief valve 55 may be calculated by subtracting the pressure value in the intermediate chamber IR from the pressure value on the primary side.

The first check valve 53 operates to open when water is flowing and close when water is stopped. The first check valve 53 operates to prevent liquid flowing back from the secondary side and the intermediate chamber from flowing into the primary side.
Like the first check valve 53, the second check valve 54 operates to open when water is flowing and close when water is stopped. The second check valve 54 operates to prevent liquid flowing back from the secondary side from flowing into the intermediate chamber and the primary side.
The relief valve 55 opens when the primary side is under negative pressure or when water flows in from the primary side or the secondary side during water stoppage, and drains the liquid present in the intermediate chamber.

The water leakage sensor 52 is arranged below the relief valve 55, that is, on the lower side of the backflow preventer 5, and detects water leakage (drainage) from the relief valve 55. The water leakage sensor 52 is assumed to be a resistance detection method using electrodes. In the resistance detection method, when a liquid comes into contact with two electrodes that are a detection band, a current flows between the electrodes through the liquid, so that leakage of the liquid can be detected. Note that any commonly used water leakage sensor may be used. Further, as long as water leakage from the relief valve 55 can be detected, it may be placed in the intermediate chamber.

Next, a first operation example of the management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing interaction with the management server 1 when the management device is included in the pump device 3. It is assumed that each pressure sensor 51 of the backflow preventer 5 measures the pressure value at a predetermined sampling interval, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each pressure sensor 51 may measure a pressure value according to the measurement instruction.

Further, each pressure sensor 51 may measure a pressure value using the detection of water leakage by the water leakage sensor 52 as a trigger. For example, a signal indicating that a water leak has occurred as water leak information is communicated from the water leak sensor 52 to the pump device 3, and the control panel 30 of the pump device 3 that has received the signal measures the pressure with respect to each pressure sensor 51. Alternatively, each pressure sensor 51 may measure the pressure value upon receiving the instruction signal.

In step S401, the sensor value acquisition unit 381 of the pump device 3 acquires the primary side pressure value, the secondary side pressure value, and the intermediate chamber pressure value acquired by each pressure sensor 51 of the backflow preventer 5. .
In step S402, the calculation unit 383 of the pump device 3 calculates the differential pressure of the first check valve, the differential pressure of the second check valve, and the differential pressure when the relief valve is activated. Specifically, the differential pressure of the first check valve is calculated by subtracting the pressure value in the intermediate chamber from the pressure value on the primary side. The differential pressure of the second check valve is calculated by subtracting the pressure value on the secondary side from the pressure value in the intermediate chamber. The differential pressure when the relief valve is activated is calculated from the differential pressure of the first check valve.
Note that the differential pressures of the first check valve, the second check valve, and the relief valve may be calculated immediately after the pump device 3 is operated or stopped, or the pump device 3 may be calculated immediately after the pump device 3 is operated or stopped. It may be calculated while the device 3 is in operation or stopped.

In step S403, the determination unit 384 of the pump device 3 determines whether the backflow preventer 5 is operating normally. Details of the determination process will be described later with reference to FIG. 6 and subsequent figures.
In step S404, the communication unit 382 of the pump device 3 transmits water leakage information, the differential pressure of the first check valve, the differential pressure of the second check valve, the differential pressure of the relief valve, and that the backflow preventer 5 is normal. The result of the determination as to whether or not the system is currently operating and the date information regarding the date on which the pressure value was acquired are transmitted to the outside, here to the management server 1. Note that the communication unit 382 may transmit at least one of the pressure value acquired by the sensor value acquisition unit 381 and the differential pressure calculated by the calculation unit 383 to the outside, here, to the management server 1.

In step S405, the management server 1 collects water leakage information, the differential pressure of the first check valve, the differential pressure of the second check valve, the differential pressure of the relief valve, and whether the backflow preventer 5 is operating normally. The result of the determination as to whether the pump is present and the date information are received from the pump device 3 and stored. Thereby, when water leaks from the backflow preventer 5, information on whether or not the water leak is normal can be accumulated.
In addition, in step S404, the pump device 3 may transmit only the determination result as to whether the backflow preventer 5 is operating normally and the date information to the management server 1, and based on these two types of information, However, it is desirable to also send information on differential pressure as the basis for the judgment result. Further, the pump device 3 may further transmit the primary side pressure value, the secondary side pressure value, and the intermediate chamber pressure value to the management server 1. Further, the date information is not limited to being transmitted from the pump device 3, and date information acquired by the management server 1 when receiving various information from the pump device 3 may be stored in association with the various information. .

Next, a second operation example of the management device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. 5.
Although FIG. 4 shows a case where the management device is included in the pump device 3, FIG. shows.

In step S501, the sensor value acquisition unit 381 of the pump device 3 acquires the primary side pressure value, the secondary side pressure value, and the intermediate chamber pressure value acquired by each pressure sensor 51 of the backflow preventer 5. .
In step S502, the communication unit 382 of the pump device 3 transmits the primary side pressure value, the secondary side pressure value, the intermediate chamber pressure value, and date information regarding the date on which the pressure values were acquired to the management server 1. do.

In step S503, the calculation unit 383 of the management server 1 calculates the differential pressure of the first check valve based on the received primary side pressure value, secondary side pressure value, intermediate chamber pressure value, and date information. Calculate the differential pressure across the second check valve and the differential pressure across the relief valve.
In step S504, the determination unit 384 of the management server 1 determines whether there is a backflow or It is determined whether the preventer 5 is operating normally.
In step S505, the management server 1 collects the water leakage information, the differential pressure of the first check valve, the differential pressure of the second check valve, the differential pressure of the relief valve, the determination result in step S504, and the date information. and store it.
Note that water leakage information is assumed to be notified when water leakage occurs, so if water leakage does not occur, the management server 1 and the like will not be notified. However, information indicating that no water leakage has occurred may be included as the water leakage information, and in that case, the management server 1 or the like may be notified of the presence or absence of water leakage.

Next, a specific example of the determination process of the management device according to the first embodiment, for example, the determination process related to step S403 shown in FIG. 4 or step S504 shown in FIG. 5, will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

In step S601, the determination unit 384 determines whether water leakage has occurred based on the water leakage information. If water leakage has occurred, the process advances to step S602, and if no water leakage has occurred, the process advances to step S605.
In step S602, the determining unit 384 determines whether the differential pressure of the relief valve is less than or equal to a threshold value. If the differential pressure across the relief valve is less than or equal to the threshold, the process advances to step S603, and if the differential pressure across the relief valve is greater than the threshold, the process advances to step S604.

In step S603, the normal operation of the relief valve is that water leakage occurs when the pressure difference between the primary side and the intermediate chamber approaches, but the pressure difference of the relief valve has become less than a threshold value, for example, 14 kpa or less. In this state, the relief valve is finally opened, and the water in the intermediate chamber is considered to have started leaking, and the determination unit 384 determines that the relief valve is malfunctioning and that the backflow preventer 5 is abnormal.
In step S604, water is leaking when the pressure difference between the primary side and the intermediate chamber approaches each other, and the determination unit 384 determines that the relief valve is operating normally.

In step S605, the determining unit 384 determines whether the differential pressure of the relief valve is less than or equal to a threshold value. If the differential pressure across the relief valve is less than or equal to the threshold, the process advances to step S606, and if the differential pressure across the relief valve is greater than the threshold, the process advances to step S607.
In step S606, the determination unit 384 determines that there is an abnormality in the backflow preventer 5 because water has not leaked even though the differential pressure of the relief valve is below the threshold value and the relief valve is considered to be malfunctioning. .
In step S607, since there is no water leakage at a differential pressure greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 384 determines that the backflow preventer 5 is operating normally.

Note that the order of steps S601, S602, and S605 does not matter, and it may be determined whether the backflow preventer 5 is normal or abnormal based on a combination of two conditions. That is, after first determining whether the differential pressure of the relief valve is less than or equal to a threshold value, which is the process shown in step S602, it may be determined whether water leakage has occurred, which is the process of step S601.

Furthermore, the measurement timing of the pressure values in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be triggered by the occurrence of water leakage. That is, the pressure value may be acquired after the water leakage sensor 52 detects that water leakage has occurred. Thereby, only the differential pressure at the time of water leakage is stored in the management server 1, so the data volume can be reduced.

Next, an example of pump information stored in the management server 1 is shown in FIG.
Figure 7 is an example of pump information stored in the management device, including an ID for uniquely identifying a pump device, the date on which information such as pressure value and differential pressure was acquired, water leakage status, and backflow preventer status. , each differential pressure and pressure value of the backflow preventer are associated with each other. In this way, by centrally managing information for each pump device 3 on the management server 1, efficient operation can be realized. Of course, in addition to the information shown in FIG. 7, any information related to the pump device, such as the date and time of the most recent maintenance, and the operator ID, may be managed.

According to the first embodiment described above, a sensor is disposed in the backflow preventer, and each pressure value is acquired from the sensor. The differential pressure applied to each valve of the backflow preventer is calculated from the acquired pressure value, and it is determined whether the backflow preventer is operating normally from each pressure difference and water leakage information. The result of the determination is transmitted from the pump device to the management server, and various information is managed in the management server.
As a result, when the backflow preventer leaks water, the management server can remotely obtain information on whether the leak is normal or not, which can replace regular on-site inspections by inspection workers. Therefore, the burden of inspection work on inspection workers can be reduced. Furthermore, by measuring the differential pressure at predetermined intervals, the backflow prevention device can be constantly monitored, and even if an abnormality occurs, it can be detected early.

(Second embodiment)
In the second embodiment, in addition to each pressure value and each differential pressure, operation information is also taken into account to determine whether or not the backflow preventer 5 is operating normally, as well as which valve has an abnormality. , more detailed information can be detected.
A block diagram of a pump device 3 including a management device according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

The pump device 3 according to the second embodiment further includes an operation information acquisition unit 801 in addition to the configuration of the pump device 3 according to the first embodiment.
The operation information acquisition unit 801 acquires operation information regarding the operation state of the pump device 3 determined by the control panel 30. The operation information includes, for example, information such as normal operation, temporary stop, power supply outage, under test, and failure.

Next, details of the determination processing by the management device according to the second embodiment will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 9.
In step S901, the driving information acquisition unit 801 acquires driving information. The determination unit 384 determines, based on the operation information, whether the pump device 3 is stopped in water, under temporary negative pressure, or is in operation. For example, if the operation information is "temporary stop", "power supply stop", etc., it may be determined that the pump device 3 is stopped under water. If the pump device 3 is not in water, the process advances to step S902, and if the pump device 3 is in operation, the process advances to step S907.

In step S902, the determination unit 384 determines whether the pressure in the intermediate chamber has increased. For example, if the pressure value in the intermediate chamber when the backflow preventer 5 is operating normally is set as the reference value and the pressure value in the intermediate chamber is measured at the time of installing or starting the pump device, etc., and the pressure in the intermediate chamber exceeds the reference value. , it is determined that the pressure in the intermediate chamber has increased. Furthermore, even if the pressure in the intermediate chamber is not acquired, if the pressure value on the primary side is lower than a similarly measured reference value, it may be determined that the pressure on the intermediate chamber side is increasing. If the pressure in the intermediate chamber has increased, the process advances to step S903, and if the pressure in the intermediate chamber has not increased, the process advances to step S906.

In step S903, the determination unit 384 determines whether there is water leakage. If there is water leakage, the process advances to step S904, and if there is no water leakage, the process advances to step S905.
In step S904, the determining unit 384 can determine that at least one of the first check valve and the second check valve is malfunctioning because the pressure in the intermediate chamber is increasing despite the water being stopped. Furthermore, since there is water leakage, it can be determined that the relief valve is normal.
In step S905, the determining unit 384 determines that the second check valve is malfunctioning because there is no water leakage from the relief valve even though the pressure in the intermediate chamber has increased. Alternatively, since no water is leaking even though the pressure in the intermediate chamber has increased, it can be determined that the relief valve is malfunctioning.
In step S906, the determination unit 384 determines that the backflow preventer 5 is normal.

In step S907, the determination unit 384 determines whether there is water leakage during operation. If there is water leakage, the process advances to step S908. On the other hand, if there is no water leakage, the process advances to step S906, and it is determined that the backflow preventer 5 is normal.
In step S908, the determining unit 384 determines that there is a failure in the relief valve or in the first check valve because water leaks during operation. The reason why it can be assumed that the first check valve has failed is that if the first check valve loses its function due to a failure and the pressure from the primary side is directly transmitted to the intermediate chamber, the pressure between the primary side and the intermediate chamber will increase. is balanced. Therefore, if the relief valve is normal, water leakage will occur, and failure of the first check valve is also assumed. This completes the estimation process of the management device according to the second embodiment.

According to the second embodiment described above, the abnormality of the backflow preventer is determined based on the operation information in addition to each pressure value, each differential pressure, and water leakage information. As in the first embodiment, this makes it possible to replace regular on-site inspections by inspection workers, reduce the burden of inspection work, and detect abnormalities early, as well as identify where in the backflow preventer the abnormality is. For example, abnormalities in the first check valve, second check valve, and relief valve of the backflow preventer can be detected from water leakage during operation, water leakage during stoppage, differential pressure, etc. Therefore, detailed information can be collected and centrally managed by the management server.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment, machine learning is used to calculate the possibility that an abnormality (failure, etc.) of the backflow preventer 5 will occur from pump information such as each pressure value and each differential pressure.
A configuration example of a management device according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10.
The management server 1 includes a storage section 1001, a learning section 1002, and a model execution section 1003. Note that other components of the management device, that is, the calculation section 383, the determination section 384, etc., may be included in the pump device 3 or in the management server 1.
The storage unit 1001 receives and stores pump information such as each pressure value, each differential pressure, water leakage information, and operation information transmitted from the pump device 3.
The learning unit 1002 uses each pressure value, each differential pressure, water leakage information, and operation information stored in the storage unit 1001 as learning data to learn a machine learning model represented by a neural network, and generates a learned model. do.
The model execution unit 1003 estimates the possibility that a failure of the backflow preventer 5 will occur by inputting each newly acquired pressure value, each differential pressure, water leakage information, and operation information to the learned model. . Specifically, for example, a location where a failure is likely to occur and a time when the failure is expected to occur (hereinafter also referred to as predicted time) may be estimated.

For example, in the learning stage of the machine learning model, the learning unit 1002 uses the location and date and time at which the failure occurred as correct data, and each pressure value before the date and time at which the failure occurred, each differential pressure, and water leakage information. , a machine learning model is trained using learning data in which driving information and the date and time when this information was acquired are used as input data, and a trained model is generated.

After that, when using the learned model, the model execution unit 1003 inputs each pressure value newly acquired from the pump device 3, each differential pressure, water leakage information, operation information, and date and time to the learned model. By doing so, the location where a failure is likely to occur and the predicted timing are output as estimation results. Specifically, it is possible to output an estimation result such as "location where failure is likely to occur: first check valve, predicted occurrence time: six months later." Of course, the output example of the estimation result is not limited to this, and it may be displayed in a way that is easy to recognize visually, such as by showing an illustration of the backflow preventer 5 and highlighting the relevant part, or it may be notified by voice. That is, any form of notification may be used as long as it can notify the worker or the administrator of the management server 1 of the location where a failure is likely to occur and the predicted timing.

As learning data, all past data up to the time when sensor information started to be acquired by going back in time based on the location and date and time where the failure occurred, which is the correct data, may be used as input data, or one week from the relevant date and time. Sensor information that goes back by a predetermined period, such as each pressure value, each differential pressure, and operation information acquired before, each pressure value, each differential pressure, and operation information acquired one month before the relevant date and time. Driving information may also be used as input data. Furthermore, statistical values such as the average and variance of each pressure value and each differential pressure acquired one week before the date and time may be calculated for each predetermined period as input data.

In addition, each time the management device acquires each pressure value and each differential pressure, the variance or deviation of each previously acquired pressure value and each differential pressure is calculated, and each pressure at the date and time when the variance or deviation exceeds the threshold value is calculated. The value and each differential pressure may be input data. In this way, it is also possible to mainly learn data on situations in which values different from normal operating conditions are obtained and are considered to be signs of failure.

Note that as the machine learning model, any network model may be used as long as it has a network configuration that is used for a task of outputting predicted values, such as a deep neural network or a convolutional neural network. Although it is desirable to train the machine learning model using as much information as possible that can be acquired by the pump device 3, the machine learning model is not limited to the above example, and the machine learning model may be trained using differential pressure and water leakage information as learning data. .

According to the third embodiment described above, a learned model is generated by learning a machine learning model using pump information such as pressure values, differential pressures, water leakage information, operation information, and the like. By inputting the newly acquired pump information into the trained model, it is possible to estimate the locations where failures are likely to occur and the predicted timing. Thereby, maintenance efficiency can be improved.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that it is determined whether each valve is operating normally by considering naturally occurring water leakage situations, but this is not limited to this, and water leakage may occur intentionally. You may also set up possible situations.
For example, the operation control unit 385 may alternately transmit an inverter control signal indicating a stop of operation or an inverter control signal indicating a start of operation to the inverter 34 at predetermined intervals, thereby controlling the first differential pressure, the second differential pressure, and the like. The pump unit 60 is controlled to repeat water stopping and flowing water so that the third differential pressure changes. With such control, it is possible to set a situation where water leakage may occur immediately after the start of operation, so that water leakage can be confirmed at a desired timing and the backflow preventer can be inspected.

At least part of the processing in each of the embodiments described above can also be realized by using, for example, a processor installed in a general-purpose computer as the basic hardware. A program that implements the above processing may be provided while being stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The program is stored on a recording medium as an installable file or an executable file. Examples of the recording medium include magnetic disks, optical disks (CD-ROM, CD-R, DVD, Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc, etc.), magneto-optical disks (MO etc.), semiconductor memories, and the like. The recording medium may be any medium as long as it can store the program and is readable by a computer. Further, a program for realizing the above processing may be stored on a computer (server) connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded to a computer (client) via the network.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified at the implementation stage without departing from the gist thereof. Moreover, each embodiment may be implemented in combination as appropriate, and in that case, the combined effect can be obtained. Furthermore, the embodiments described above include various inventions, and various inventions can be extracted by combinations selected from the plurality of constituent features disclosed. For example, if a problem can be solved and an effect can be obtained even if some constituent features are deleted from all the constituent features shown in the embodiment, the configuration from which these constituent features are deleted can be extracted as an invention.

1... Management server, 3... Pump device, 5... Backflow preventer, 7... Terminal, 30... Control panel, 31... Near field communication device, 32... Long distance Communication device, 33... Input device, 34... Inverter, 35... Interface, 36... Display device, 37... Storage device, 38... Processor, 51... Pressure sensor, 52 ... Water leakage sensor, 53 ... First check valve, 54 ... Second check valve, 55 ... Relief valve, 381 ... Sensor value acquisition section, 382 ... Communication department, 383 ... Calculation section, 384... Judgment section, 385... Operation control section, 801... Operation information acquisition section.

Claims (11)

a first check valve having an intermediate chamber between the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and blocking flow from the intermediate chamber to the primary flow path; and the secondary flow path. In a backflow preventer having a second check valve that prevents liquid from flowing into the intermediate chamber, and a relief valve that discharges liquid from the intermediate chamber, the primary flow path, the intermediate chamber, and the secondary side a first acquisition unit that acquires at least two pressure values of the pressures applied to each of the flow paths;
Calculate at least one of a first differential pressure across the first check valve, a second differential pressure across the relief valve, and a third differential pressure across the second check valve from the at least two pressure values. a calculation section to
A management device equipped with. a second acquisition unit that acquires operation information of the pump device;
A determination of determining whether a valve corresponding to the calculated differential pressure is abnormal based on the calculated differential pressure among the first differential pressure, the second differential pressure, and the third differential pressure, and the operation information. The management device according to claim 1, further comprising a section. The first acquisition unit further acquires water leakage information regarding water leakage from the relief valve,
The calculation unit calculates the second differential pressure,
The management device includes:
The management device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a determination unit that determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the relief valve based on the second differential pressure and the water leakage information. The management device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines that there is an abnormality in the relief valve when the second differential pressure is less than or equal to a threshold value and the water leak information indicates that there is a water leak. According to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a communication unit that transmits at least one of the pressure value acquired by the first acquisition unit and the differential pressure calculated by the calculation unit to the outside. management device. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first differential pressure, the second differential pressure, and the third differential pressure are calculated immediately after the pump device is operated or stopped. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first differential pressure, the second differential pressure, and the third differential pressure are calculated while the pump device is in operation or stopped. Any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a control unit that controls water flow and water stoppage of the pump device so that the first differential pressure, the second differential pressure, and the third differential pressure change. The management device according to item 1. The location and date and time at which the failure occurred in the backflow preventer are correct data, and each pressure value, each differential pressure, the operation information of the pump device, and the corresponding date and time information before the date and time at which the failure occurs are input data, Using the trained model generated by training the network model,
A failure may occur by inputting the pressure value and operating information acquired by the first acquisition unit, the differential pressure calculated by the calculation unit, and the corresponding date and time information into the learned model. The management device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a model execution unit that estimates at least one of a location and a predicted time when the failure is expected to occur. a first check valve having an intermediate chamber between the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and blocking flow from the intermediate chamber to the primary flow path; and the secondary flow path. In a backflow preventer having a second check valve that prevents liquid from flowing into the intermediate chamber, and a relief valve that discharges liquid from the intermediate chamber, the primary flow path, the intermediate chamber, and the secondary side obtaining at least two pressure values of the pressures applied to each of the flow paths;
Calculate at least one of a first differential pressure across the first check valve, a second differential pressure across the relief valve, and a third differential pressure across the second check valve from the at least two pressure values. do,
Management method. computer,
a first check valve having an intermediate chamber between the primary flow path and the secondary flow path, and blocking flow from the intermediate chamber to the primary flow path; and the secondary flow path. In a backflow preventer having a second check valve that prevents liquid from flowing into the intermediate chamber, and a relief valve that discharges liquid from the intermediate chamber, the primary flow path, the intermediate chamber, and the secondary side acquisition means for acquiring at least two pressure values of the pressures applied to each of the flow paths;
Calculate at least one of a first differential pressure across the first check valve, a second differential pressure across the relief valve, and a third differential pressure across the second check valve from the at least two pressure values. A management program that functions as a calculation means.