JP2903142B2 - Water leak detection device of heat exchange device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water leak detecting device for a heat exchanger, and more particularly to a water leak detecting device for detecting a water leak from a heat exchanger incorporated in the heat exchanger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a recent heat exchange device (A), in order to improve heat exchange efficiency, a so-called heat exchanger (1) in which combustion exhaust gas from a burner (B) absorbs heat until the dew point becomes equal to or lower than a dew point. , A condensing type has been realized. This condensing type heat exchanger (A)
The heat exchange fin of (1) actively generates dew water (drain). Since the amount of drain generated is large, the heat exchanger (A) includes the heat exchanger (1). A drain discharge path is provided for discharging drain collected from the apparatus to the outside of the apparatus.

[0003]

However, in this condensing type heat exchange device (A), even if a water leak occurs due to a hole in the water pipe of the heat exchanger (1), the water leak is generated together with the drain. Since the water is drained through the drain discharge path, there is a problem that the presence or absence of the water leak cannot be easily determined from outside the apparatus.

[0004] Each invention of claims 1 to 3 is a heat exchanger
(1) An object of the present invention is to provide a water leak detection device for a heat exchange device that can easily determine the presence or absence of a water leak.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

[Invention of Claim 1] The invention of Claim 1 provides a heat exchanger (1) having a heat exchanger (1) which generates heat by exchanging heat until the combustion exhaust gas of the burner becomes lower than the dew point.
A drain container (2) for storing the drain is inserted into the drain discharge path of (A), and the drain container (2) is filled with a constant amount every time the drain stored therein reaches a predetermined water level. A siphon (22) for discharging to the downstream side of the drain discharge path, detecting means (K) for detecting the operation of the siphon (22) and outputting a signal, and during operation of the heat exchange device (A) Accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal in a certain time, water leak determining means (R) for outputting a water leak signal when the accumulated number of outputs reaches a set number of times, and And a notifying means (L) for turning on or off the display when a water leak signal is input ”.

During operation of the heat exchanger (A), the heat exchanger
The drain generated in (1) flows from the drain discharge route to the drain container.
It flows into (2) and is stored. When the water level of the drain in the drain container (2) reaches a predetermined water level (highest water level), a certain amount of the water is discharged by the siphon (22), and the water level falls, and reaches the lowest water level at the end of the discharge. Later, the water level rises again due to drain inflow. Each time the siphon (22) is operated, a signal is output from the detecting means (K) for detecting this. The number of outputs of this signal is accumulated by the accumulating means (G) during the predetermined time during the operation, and when the accumulated number reaches the set number, a water leak signal is output from the water leak judging means (R). Is done. By the output of this water leak signal,
The notification means (L) enters a notification state by sounding or displaying.

During the operation of the heat exchange device (A), the amount of drain generated for a certain period of time, that is, the flow rate of the drain flowing into the drain vessel (2) depends on the amount of combustion in the burner and the flow through the heat exchanger (1). Although it fluctuates according to fluctuations in operating conditions such as the water temperature in the water pipe, it is maintained within a predetermined range. However, if there is a water leak in the heat exchanger (1), the leaked water flows into the drain container (2) together with the drain. The presence or absence of the occurrence of the water leak can be determined based on whether or not the number of times of output of the signal from the detection means (K) for detecting the siphon operation has reached a set number. [Invention of claim 2] The invention of claim 2 provides a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger (1) which generates heat by exchanging heat until the combustion exhaust gas of the burner becomes lower than the dew point.
A drain container (2) for storing the drain is inserted into the drain discharge path of (A), and the drain container (2) is filled with a constant amount every time the drain stored therein reaches a predetermined water level. A detecting means (K) for detecting the operation of the siphon (22) and outputting a signal, and stopping the operation of the heat exchange device (A); Accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of outputs of the signal from time
And a water leak judging means (R) for outputting a water leak signal when the accumulated number of times of output reaches a set number of times, and a notifying means (L) for sounding or displaying a notification state by inputting the water leak signal. Is provided.]

[0008] In this case as well, a signal is output from the detecting means (K) every time the siphon (22) of the drain container (2) is operated, as in the first aspect of the present invention. The number of times the signal has been output since the switching device (A) was stopped is accumulated by the accumulating means (G). When the cumulative number reaches the set number, the notification means (L) is provided in the same manner as in the first aspect of the present invention.
Is in the notification state.

After the operation is stopped, no drain is newly generated, and the drain remaining on the heat exchanger (1) at the time of the stop will flow into the drain container (2).
The amount of drain flowing into the drain vessel (2) after the stoppage of the operation is substantially constant, corresponding to the capacity of the drain attached to the heat exchanger (1). Whether or not the drain inflow amount is larger than a predetermined value (if there is a water leak if it is larger), the number of times of output of the signal from the detection means (K) for detecting the siphon operation after the stop of the operation has reached the set number. It can be determined by whether or not. [Invention of claim 3] The invention of claim 3 provides a heat exchanger having a heat exchanger (1) which generates heat by exchanging heat until the combustion exhaust gas of the burner becomes lower than the dew point.
A drain container (2) for storing the drain is inserted into the drain discharge path of (A), and the drain container (2) is filled with a constant amount every time the drain stored therein reaches a predetermined water level. A water level detecting means (S) for detecting a water level of the drain stored in the drain container (2), comprising a siphon (22) for discharging on the downstream side of the drain discharge path; and
Water level determination means (H) for outputting a signal when the detected water level of (S) rises and falls above a set water level lower than a predetermined water level at which the siphon (22) operates, and the heat exchange device
(A) accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal from the stop of operation, and water leak determining means (R) for outputting a water leak signal when the accumulated number of outputs reaches a set number of times.
And a notifying means (L) that is in a notification state by sounding or displaying when the water leak signal is input ”.

In this case, the drain inflow to the drain container (2) and the drain discharge from the drain container (2) by the siphon operation are repeated in the same manner as described in the above-mentioned item (1). As a result, the water level in the drain container (2) repeats rising and falling. And
When the detected water level of the water level detecting means (S) for detecting this water level rises and falls below the set water level, the water level determining means
A signal is output from (H). The number of outputs of this signal is accumulated by the accumulating means (G) after the operation of the heat exchange device (A) is stopped, and when the accumulated number reaches the set number, the notifying means (in the same manner as the above-mentioned invention) L) enters the notification state.

[0011]

As described above, in each of the first to third aspects of the present invention, when there is a water leak in the heat exchanger (1), the notification means (L) is in a notification state by sounding or displaying. The presence or absence of the water leakage can be easily determined. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the water leak is determined based on the amount of drain generated which fluctuates according to the fluctuation of the operating condition. Since a substantially constant amount of drain was used as a reference, the set number of times for determining the presence / absence of water leakage can be made to more accurately correspond to the drain amount, and the accuracy of the determination is less than the claim. Item 1 is improved as compared with the invention of item 1.

Furthermore, in the invention according to claim 3, the drain container
(2) Since the signal level is accumulated when the water level in the water level fluctuates as described above and rises and falls above the set water level, regardless of the initial water level at the time of the operation stoppage, The variation in the drain amount required until the first signal output is small, and the accumulated number and the drain amount correspond more accurately. Further, since the cumulative number of times is accumulated twice per cycle from the start of the operation of the siphon to the discharge of the drain and the start of the operation of the siphon again, the one cycle is repeated as in the invention of the second aspect. The accuracy of the water leak detection is further improved as compared to the one that accumulates once.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a drain container having a siphon (22) is provided in a drain discharge path of a so-called condensing type heat exchange device (A).
(2) is inserted, and corresponds to the invention of claim 3 described above. [Configuration of each part] ** Heat exchange device (A) ** The above heat exchange device (A) has a burner (B) in a can (10),
A main heat exchanger (1a) located below and mainly exchanging heat by absorbing sensible heat of the combustion exhaust, and a sub-heat exchanger (1b) mainly exchanging heat by absorbing the latent heat of the combustion exhaust to absorb heat )
Combustion air is supplied from the fan (F) connected to the upper end of the can body (10) to the burner (B), and the heat of the combustion exhaust gas from the burner (B) is supplied to the main / sub heat exchanger (1a). (1) heat exchange with water in a water pipe penetrating through a number of heat exchange fins of (1b), and an exhaust path connecting the combustion exhaust gas to one side of a lower end of the can body (10). In this configuration, air is exhausted from (11). Further, the sub heat exchanger (1b) is located below the main heat exchanger (1a),
The main heat exchanger (1a) is connected in series downstream of the exhaust gas. With these configurations, the burner (B)
Combustion exhaust gas is first absorbed by the main heat exchanger (1a) to absorb sensible heat, then cooled by the sub heat exchanger (1b) to a temperature below the dew point to absorb latent heat. Due to the latent heat absorption, the sub heat exchanger
A large amount of drain is generated in the heat exchange fin of (1b).

The bottom of the can (10) is a funnel (13), and a drain discharge pipe (12) connected to the lower end of the can (10) is inserted into a drain container (2) described later. Have been. Therefore, the drain adhering to the sub heat exchanger (1b) is dropped and collected by the funnel (13), and the drain discharge pipe
It flows into the drain container (2) via (12). ** Drain container (2) ** The drain container (2) is composed of a drain inflow chamber (23) configured as a trap structure with the drain discharge pipe (12) inserted downward, and this drain inflow chamber. A storage chamber (21) communicating with the upper end of the storage chamber (23) and storing the drain;
A siphon (22) for discharging drain from (21) is arranged side by side. Since the drain inflow chamber (23) has the trap structure, the drain discharge pipe
Air is prevented from entering the storage chamber (21) from (12), and the siphon function described later operates reliably.
The siphon (22) has a vertically long chamber (25) which is juxtaposed with the storage chamber (21) and whose lower ends are communicated with each other, and penetrates the bottom plate into the chamber (25). A central pipe (26) inserted upward, and the upper end of the central pipe (26)
A gap (for example, 5 mm) that does not cause air pockets between the top plate (25a) of (25) and the diameter of the central pipe (26), the surface tension of the drain, and the speed at which the water level of the drain rises. Are formed. The top plate of the storage chamber (21) is provided with a through-hole (24) for opening to the atmosphere.

In the drain container (2) having this structure, the drain flows from the heat exchange device (A) into the storage chamber (21), and the water level in the storage chamber (21) becomes as shown in FIG. As shown, the space (25) is filled with drain, and the top plate (25) of the space (25) is filled.
When the space from the a) to the central pipe (26) becomes a closed water level (operating water level) due to the surface tension of the drain, the drain in the storage chamber (21) is reduced by the action of the siphon (22). It is sucked and discharged from 26). Then, as shown in FIG. 2B, the water level in the storage chamber (21) is
When the water level reaches the minimum level corresponding to the height of the communication path between the air chamber (25) and the air chamber (25), when air enters the air chamber (25) through the through hole (24), the air enters the central pipe (26). The suction action disappears, and the drain discharge ends (the state shown in FIG. 2C). Therefore, every time the water level in the storage chamber (21) of the drain container (2) reaches the working water level of the siphon (22), a certain amount of drain discharge is repeated by the siphon action.

The storage chamber (21) contains, for example, a neutralizing agent (21a) composed of particles of magnesium oxide and calcium carbonate for neutralizing the drain, whereby the drain is neutralized. While being stored in the storage room (21), it is neutralized from acidic to neutral. Furthermore, on the side wall of the storage chamber (21),
A water level switch (S ₁ ) is attached, and this water level switch (S ₁ )
At the time when the intermediate water level between the working water level corresponding to the height of the top plate (25a) of the vacant room (25) and the lowest water level at the end of the siphon operation (the average water level of the working water level and the lowest water level) is detected. The switch is turned on when the water level in the storage chamber (21) exceeds the intermediate water level, and turned off when the water level is falling. Therefore, the fact that the water level switch (S ₁ ) has changed from on to off can detect that the siphon (22) has been activated.

The on / off signal of the water level switch (S ₁ ) is input to a control device (C) comprising a microcomputer. In this embodiment, when the operation of the heat exchange device (A) is stopped, The control device (C) operates to detect a water leak in the heat exchanger. Next, the operation of the control device (C) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the operation of the heat exchanger (A) is stopped,
The operation of the control device (C) is started by the signal input at that time, and the control device (C) has “0” or “1” depending on the output state of the water level switch (S ₁ ) for each control condition. Is provided, and each time the output of this flag changes, a storage function unit for adding the storage value (I) by "1" is provided.

When the operation of the heat exchange device (A) is stopped, the control is started and the stored value (I) is cleared (step (5)
0), (51)). Next, it is determined whether or not the water level switch (S ₁ ) is on (step (53)). When the operation of the heat exchange device (A) is stopped, if the water level in the storage chamber (21) is higher than the intermediate water level, the output of the water level switch (S ₁ ) is in the `` ON '' state. First, the flag (F) is set to "1" (step (54)), and the first routine (6a) is executed.
Conversely, in step (53), if the water level in the storage chamber (21) is lower than the intermediate water level and the output of the water level switch (S <sub>1</sub> ) is in the `` OFF '' state, the flag (F) Is set to "0" (step (55)), and a second routine (6b) described later is executed.

In the first routine (6a), first, it is determined whether or not the output of the water level switch (S ₁ ) has changed from on to off (step (61)). This is siphon (2
It corresponds to whether 2) is activated. If there is no change, the process jumps to step (73) described later, and if it has changed to off, the flag (F) is updated to "0" (step (6)
2)), add 1 to the stored value (I) and update it (step
(63)). Then, it is determined whether or not the stored value (I) has reached "2" (step (71)). If not "2"
The process proceeds from the first routine (6a) to a step (73) described later.
If "2", and outputs a leak signal from the control unit (C) (step (75)), the LED (L ₁₎ and illuminated.

In the second routine (6b), first, it is determined whether the water level switch (S ₁ ) has changed from off to on (step (64)). If there is no change, the process jumps to step (73) described below.
The flag (F) is updated to "1" (step (65)), and 1 is added to the stored value (I) to update (step (66)). Also in the second routine (6b), the same determination processing as in step (71) is performed (step (72)).

It is determined whether the value of the flag (F) is "1". If the value is "1", the process returns to the first routine (6a). Return to). By repeatedly executing the first and second routines (6a) and (6b), the number of output changes of the water level switch (S ₁ ) generated after the operation is stopped is accumulated, and when the operation is started, the above operation ends. .

In the above control, the stored value (I) is "2".
Specifically, the water level switch (S ₁ ) is turned on →
Either off-on, off-on, off-off, and in this case, the heat exchange device (A)
After the shutdown of the operation of the siphon (2
2) has been activated once, and it is determined that the amount of drain stored in the storage chamber (21) has increased beyond a certain amount corresponding to the amount of residual drain in the heat exchanger (1) when the operation was stopped. I do. Then, in such a case, it is determined that there is water leakage from the water pipe of the heat exchanger (1), and this is indicated by the LED (L ₁ ) as described above. In the present embodiment, a constant amount corresponding to the residual drain amount at the time of stoppage is set at the maximum to the volume of the storage chamber (21).

In the water level switch (S ₁ ) of this embodiment, the contact portion turns on and off depending on whether or not the detected water level is higher than the set water level. S). The step for determining the change mode of the contact portion corresponds to a water level determining means (H). The above steps (63) and (66) are performed by accumulating means (G), step (71),
(72) serves as a water leak determination means (R). In addition, the LED (L
₁ ) is the notification means (L). Incidentally, the water level detecting means (S)
Is not limited to the above. For example, drain container
(2) It may be a water level sensor that measures the water level inside and outputs the measured value. In this case, if the water level determination means (H) is configured to output a signal when the measured value matches the set value, the water level in the drain container (2) rises above the set water level and when the water level falls. And a signal is output.
Further, the notification means (L) may be changed to a buzzer or the like. [Modification of Embodiment] In the above embodiment, a fixed amount corresponding to the residual drain amount at the time of stop is set at the maximum to the volume of the storage chamber (21). Although the configuration was determined, the number of times, the heat exchanger (1)
It can be set arbitrarily depending on the amount of residual drain at the time of operation stoppage due to the size, the size of the storage chamber (21), the working water level of the siphon (22), and the like. In this case, steps (71) and (72) of the control program are changed to I = n (n: set number of times).

[0025] In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the leakage of the water pipe of the heat exchanger is determined based on the number of output changes. However, the configuration may be determined based on the number of operations of the siphon (22) after the operation is stopped. . In this case, detecting means for detecting the operation of the siphon (22) and outputting a signal.
(K) and accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal from when the operation of the heat exchange device (A) is stopped.

Specifically, in the above embodiment, the control program is changed so as to monitor the number of times the water level switch (S ₁ ) is changed from ON to OFF. As this control program, for example, the program shown in FIG. 4 can be adopted. In this apparatus, when the heat exchange device (A) stops operating, it is determined whether the water level switch (S ₁ ) is on (step (81)),
When turned on, it is determined whether the water level switch (S ₁ ) has been turned off (step (82)). When turned off, the stored value (I) is updated by adding 1 to the same stored value (I) as in the above embodiment (step (83)).
Is determined. In this case, the water level switch (S ₁ ), steps (81), (82) are
(K), the step (83) is the accumulating means (G), and the step (84) is the water leak determining means (R). The water level switch (S ₁ ) may be arranged to be turned on at the water level at which the operation of the siphon (22) starts. Further, as a configuration for detecting the operation of the siphon (22), a configuration in which a water flow switch is provided in the central pipe (26) may be used.

[0027] In the above-described embodiment, the water leakage is monitored until the operation is restarted after the operation is stopped.However, the water leakage is monitored for a certain period of time after the operation is stopped, that is, the time immediately after the discharge of the residual drain is completed. May be monitored. . In the above embodiment, the water level switch (S ₁ ) serving as the water level detection means (S) is connected to the siphon working water level (maximum water level) in the storage chamber (21) of the drain container (2) at the end of the siphon operation. Although it was provided at an intermediate position with the lowest water level,
A plurality of pieces may be provided between the highest water level and the lowest water level at equal heights. For example, when two water level switches (S ₁ ) and (S ₁ ) are provided and the maximum residual drain amount at the time of stop is set to the volume of the storage chamber (21) as in the above embodiment, the operation is stopped. Later, when the number of output changes becomes five, it is determined that there is water leakage. As described above, in the apparatus that detects a plurality of water levels between the highest water level and the lowest water level, the variation in the drain amount required until the first signal output is performed regardless of the initial water level of the drain at the time of the operation stoppage. And the number of times of accumulation in the accumulating means (G) and the amount of drain correspond more accurately. Therefore, in this case, the accuracy of the above-described water leak determination is further improved.

[0028] In the above embodiment, the heat exchange device (A)
Although the water leakage is determined based on the drain discharge amount after the operation is stopped, the determination may be made based on the number of siphon operations within a certain time during the operation. In this case, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the same detection means (K) as described above and an accumulation means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal during a certain time during the operation are provided.

Specifically, in the above embodiment, a control program modified to that shown in FIG. 5 can be employed. In this system, when the heat exchange device (A) starts operating, after waiting for a predetermined time, the timer (T) is reset and time measurement is started, and the stored value similar to the above is stored.
(I) is reset (steps (91) to (94)). Thereafter, the same detection and accumulation operations as those shown in FIG. 4 are executed (steps (95) to (97)), and it is determined whether the stored value (I) has reached the set number of times (step (95)). (98)). If the stored value (I) does not reach the set number of times,
Until the measurement time (T ₀ ) of (T) reaches the set time (T ₁ ), the accumulation operation of steps (95) to (97) is repeated. The set time
When (T ₁ ) is reached, this control program ends. In this case, the water leakage can be determined by judging the amount of drain discharge from the heat exchange device (A) based on the number of times the siphon is operated within a certain time during the operation.

[0030] Water level switch in the above embodiment
Using (S ₁ ), it is possible to detect a hole in the drain container (2). For example, if there is a hole below the water level switch (S ₁ ), even if the heat exchange device (A) is in the operating state, the water level of the drain does not become higher than the position of the hole, so from the start of the operation. If the water level switch (S ₁ ) remains off within the set time, it can be determined that there is a hole.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a heat exchange device (A) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of a siphon operation of the drain container (2).

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control program of a control device (C).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a modification of the form of the control program.

FIG. 5

[Explanation of symbols]

 (A) ・ ・ ・ Heat exchange device (1) ・ ・ ・ Heat exchanger (2) ・ ・ ・ Drain container (22) ・ ・ ・ Siphon (K) ・ ・ ・ Detection means (G) ・ ・ ・ Accumulation means ( R) Water leak determination means (L) Notification means (S) Water level detection means (H) Water level determination means

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yuko Fujimine 2-26, Fukuzumi-cho, Nakagawa-ku, Nagoya-shi Inside Linhai Corporation (56) References JP-A-57-189548 (JP, A) JP-A-60-99939 ( (JP, A) Japanese Utility Model 63-36849 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24H 1/00-1/52 F24H 9/00-9/20 F28F 11 / 00 F28F 17/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] A heat exchanger for generating heat by exchanging heat until the combustion exhaust gas of a burner becomes equal to or lower than a dew point.
A drain container (2) for storing the drain is inserted into a drain discharge path of the heat exchange device (A) having a water container, and the drain stored in the drain container (2) has a predetermined water level. A siphon (22) that discharges a certain amount to the downstream side of the drain discharge path each time it reaches, a detecting means (K) that detects the operation of the siphon (22) and outputs a signal, and the heat exchange device (A) accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal during a certain time during operation, and water leak determining means for outputting a water leak signal when the accumulated number of outputs reaches a set number of times. (R) and a notifying means (L) which is notified by sounding or displaying in response to the input of the water leak signal. 2. A heat exchanger in which heat is exchanged until a combustion exhaust gas of a burner becomes lower than a dew point to generate a drain.
A drain container (2) for storing the drain is inserted into a drain discharge path of the heat exchange device (A) having a water container, and the drain stored in the drain container (2) has a predetermined water level. A siphon (22) that discharges a certain amount to the downstream side of the drain discharge path each time it reaches, a detecting means (K) that detects the operation of the siphon (22) and outputs a signal, and the heat exchange device (A) accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal from the stop of operation, and water leak determining means (R) for outputting a water leak signal when the accumulated number of outputs reaches a set number of times. A water leak detection device for a heat exchange device, comprising: a notification unit (L) that is in a notification state by sounding or displaying when the water leak signal is input. 3. A heat exchanger (1) in which heat is exchanged until the combustion exhaust gas of a burner becomes lower than a dew point to generate a drain.
A drain container (2) for storing the drain is inserted into a drain discharge path of the heat exchange device (A) having a water container, and the drain stored in the drain container (2) has a predetermined water level. A water level detecting means (S) which is provided with a siphon (22) for discharging a certain amount to the downstream side of the drain discharge path each time the water reaches the drain, and detects a water level of the drain stored in the drain container (2);
And the water level detected by the water level detecting means (S) is
Water level determination means that outputs a signal when rising and falling above a set water level lower than the predetermined water level at which (22) operates
(H), accumulating means (G) for accumulating the number of times of output of the signal from the time when the operation of the heat exchange device (A) is stopped, and a water leak signal when the accumulated number of outputs reaches the set number of times. A water leak detecting device for a heat exchange device, comprising: a water leak judging means (R) for outputting; and a notifying means (L) for notifying by sound or display in response to the input of the water leak signal.