JP3296635B2 - Air conditioner leak detection method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for detecting water leakage in an air conditioner , and more particularly to a method for detecting a water leak in an air conditioner such as a fan coil unit (FCU) or an air handling unit (AHU) installed in a building or the like. We detect the leakage of the piping for hot and cold water about leak detection method of an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a device for piping and cooling and heating in a building using cold and hot water, if a water leak occurs and the device is left alone, the building may be deteriorated and may become unusable in some cases. You will fall. Therefore, there is known an apparatus that detects water leakage by corroding or damaging an air conditioner, piping, or the like, or by leaking a fluid by reducing the flow rate of the fluid or the pressure in the pipe for that purpose or increasing the differential pressure. There is also known a means for closing a solenoid valve at a point in response to a signal from a water leak sensor provided at a key point such as a pipe.

[0003]

However, the flow rate,
The flow velocity, pressure and differential pressure vary widely, and there are various changes due to leaks in air conditioners and pipes. Devices that sense this and shut off the flow path must operate in accordance with different conditions. Must. In addition, the above-described water leakage sensor can detect only water leakage where the sensor is disposed. Therefore, to increase the effectiveness of water leakage detection, it is necessary to provide a sensor everywhere in a pipe line.

[0004] The present invention has been developed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has been developed for FCU, AHU and the like using cold and hot water.
Detects water leaks from piping with multiple air conditioners installed
By outputting the failure information instantly, and an object thereof is to provide a water leakage detection knowledge how the air conditioner to prevent accidents due to water leakage from occurring.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object , the present invention provides an air conditioner such as an FCU or AHU on the way.
Install control valves on the inflow and outflow sides of the installed hot and cold water piping.
To form a water leakage measurement section, and control when water leakage is detected.
Air blower of the air conditioner via the
Close the control valve, fill in cold and hot water, and
Detect leaks by measuring pressure drop
This is a method of detecting water leakage of an air conditioner. In this case, the controller described above has at least one or more systems each of a pressure measurement unit, a comparison operation unit, a timing unit, a valve control unit, and an input / output unit, and these are an electronic circuit network using a microcomputer, Preferably comprises a contactless sequence control network, and a plurality of controllers are connected to the centralized monitoring and control device.

[0006]

[0007]

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention, of directing the start of the water leak detection becomes a predetermined time during the current monitoring and control device to a controller (microcomputer), a valve closing signal via the valve control unit is input and output portion of the controller Then, control valves provided on the inlet and outlet pipes of an air conditioner such as an FCU or an AHU are closed to form a water leakage measurement section. The temperature of the cold and hot water sealed in the water leak measurement section shifts to the temperature in the atmosphere with the passage of time, and the pressure fluctuates. When there is no water leak, the water temperature is stabilized at a certain water pressure. At this time, the pressure detection means outputs a detection signal corresponding to the water pressure in the leak measurement section, and the pressure detection signal is measured by the pressure measurement unit via the input / output unit of the controller. Take in as.

[0009] Thereafter, the timer section of the controller measures an arbitrary time, and after the elapse of the arbitrary time, measures the water pressure in the water leakage measurement section again. The measurement result is sent to the comparison operation unit and compared with the initial value obtained earlier. When the operation result falls below a predetermined value, the controller determines that water leakage has occurred, and detects water leakage. A signal is output to notify the centralized monitoring and control device that water leakage has occurred. In this case, while measuring the water pressure in the water leakage measurement section, if the air blowing means (fan, etc.) of the air conditioner is set to the operating state, the heat exchange of the cold and hot water sealed in the cooling coil and the heating coil in the air conditioner is performed. It can be facilitated and make the water pressure fluctuation more pronounced .

If the water pressure is not detected as a result of measuring the water pressure in the water leak measurement section, the valve control section of the controller outputs a valve open signal through the input / output section, and opens each control valve to return to the original state. To return to. However, when water leakage is detected, each control valve is not reset. In this case, after performing necessary repairs and the like on the piping as needed, the centralized monitoring and control device or the controller is manually reset, and each control valve is opened by the reset signal to return to the original state. In addition, the above-mentioned water leak measurement section is formed,
When one or both of the control valves do not operate when returning after opening each control valve, the input / output unit of the controller receives the signal of the opening degree information output of the control valve that did not operate and receives the signal of the control valve. Judge as failure. Then, the controller outputs a failure occurrence signal corresponding to the control valve that has not operated to the centralized monitoring and control device via the input / output unit to notify the system that a failure has occurred. In this case, after performing the necessary repairs and the like of the control valves as described above, the centralized monitoring and control device or the controller is manually reset, and each reset valve is opened by the reset signal to return to the original state.

[0011]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a water leakage detection / interruption device and a water leakage detection method to which the present invention is applied. FIGS. 1 to 3 are diagrams showing the configuration of the water leakage detection and blocking device of the present embodiment and the state of connection to a piping system. On each floor of an arbitrary n-story building, one or a plurality of AHUs (air handling units) 4 including, for example, a fan section, a cooling coil section, a heating coil section, a filter section, etc. are installed.
The inflow side of the HU 4 is connected to the water pipe 2 via a connection pipe,
The outflow side is connected to the return pipe 3 via a connection pipe. In addition,
In the present embodiment, the description is given using the air handling unit as the air conditioner, but the present invention is not limited to this.
(Fan coil unit).

The circulation of cold and hot water to the AHUs 4 on each floor is performed by a heat source device 1 including a water pump and the like. The water pipe 2 and the return pipe 3 through which the cold and hot water flows to each floor are shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the circulation of cold water and the circulation of hot water are respectively led by separate pipes. That is, the cooling coil 4 of the AHU 4
a is connected to the cold water supply pipe 2a, and the outflow side of the cooling coil 4a is connected to the cold water return pipe 3a.
The inflow side of the heating coil 4b of the HU 4 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 2b, and the outflow side of the heating coil 4b is connected to the hot water return pipe 3b.
Connected to. In this embodiment, two AHUs 4 are provided for each floor, but any number of AHUs 4 may be used. When a plurality of AHUs 4 are installed in this way, each AHU 4 must be connected in parallel.

The above-mentioned AHU4 piping system is provided with a water leakage detection and cutoff device. As shown in the figures, the water leakage detection and cutoff device of this embodiment controls the control valves V1 (V1 ') and V2 (V2') via the valve control lines 10 (10 ') and 11 (11'). Are electrically connected, and pressure sensors S1 (S1 ') and S2 as pressure detecting means are connected via signal lines 8 (8') and 9 (9 ').
(S2 ') is electrically connected. Control valve V1 (V
1 ′) is provided on the inflow-side connection pipe of the AHU4, and the control valve V2 (V2 ′) is provided on the outflow-side connection pipe of the AHU4 to form a water leakage measurement section 7 (7 ′). Further, in the water leakage measurement section 7 (7 '), the control valve V1
Pressure sensor S1 (S
1 ′) is provided, and a pressure sensor S2 (S2 ′) is provided on the inflow side connection pipe of the control valve V2 (V2 ′).

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 5 of this embodiment is constituted by a microcomputer 500. This microcomputer 500
The hardware and the software work together to constitute a pressure measuring unit 501, a comparison operation unit 502, a valve control unit 503, a timer unit 504, and the like. An input / output unit 505 is connected to the microcomputer 500. You. The input / output unit 505 is connected to the centralized monitoring and control device 6, and also includes the control valves V1 (V1 ') and V2.
(V2 ') and the pressure sensors S1 (S1') and S2 (S
2 ') is connected, an operation display section 506 indicating the operation state of the controller 5 is connected, and a reset switch 507 for returning the control valves V1 (V1') and V2 (V2 ') is connected. ing. in this way,
The input / output unit 505 of this embodiment includes all interfaces such as an AD converter and various drivers.

As described above, the controller 5 connected to the piping system of the AHU 4 on each floor is electrically connected to the centralized monitoring and control device 6 through the control line 12, and in accordance with the instruction of the centralized monitoring and control device 6. Water leakage from the piping system on each floor is detected. In the present embodiment, since the controller 5 connected to the piping system of the AHU 4 on each floor is so-called intelligent, the controller 5 sends detailed data on the result of water leak detection on each floor and system failure to the centralized monitoring and control device 6. Conversely, the controller 5 connected to the piping system of the AHU 4 on each floor can be controlled simultaneously or individually by operating the centralized monitoring and control device 6.

As described above, the water leakage detection and blocking device according to the present embodiment is an intelligent controller 5 for each floor.
Is remotely controlled by the centralized monitoring and control device 6, the method of detecting water leakage and the like are determined by the microcomputer 5
It is largely controlled by the software installed in 00. The method of detecting water leakage in this embodiment is shown in the flowchart of FIG.

First, the water leakage detection and blocking device of this embodiment has a method in which the controller 5 provided on each floor independently monitors the presence or absence of water leakage in the piping system of the AHU 4. There is also a method of receiving a command from the centralized monitoring and control device 6 and monitoring the presence or absence of water leakage in the piping system of the AHU 4 installed on each floor at each scheduled time. In this case, the control valve V1 (V1 ′) and V2 (V2 ') is closed to form a water leakage measurement section 7 (7'), and after a certain period of time, only the control valve V1 (V1 ') is once opened, and the water leakage measurement section 7 (7') is opened.
(7 ') A method of monitoring the presence or absence of water leakage by refilling cold and hot water. Further, similarly to the above-described method, there is also a method of receiving a command from the centralized monitoring and control device 6 and monitoring the presence or absence of water leakage in the piping system of the AHU 4 installed on each floor at each scheduled time. Valve V2 (V2 ')
The control valve V1 (V1 ') is closed after a fixed time after the control is closed, and the presence or absence of water leakage in the water leakage measurement section 7 (7') is monitored.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In this flowchart,
Pa is a reference set pressure value in the leak measurement section 7 (7 '), Pb is a reference set pressure value on the inflow side during normal operation of the AHU4, and Pc is a reference set pressure value on the outflow side during normal operation of the AHU4. Value. P1 and P2
Are pressure sensors S1 (S1 ') and S2 (S
2 ′), and t1, t2, and t3 are time values used by the timer 504 of the controller 5. In this embodiment, the variables Pa, Pb, and Pc are:
By applying a value slightly lower than the standard value obtained in the normal case where there is no water leakage, the controller 5 avoids erroneous determination. The variables Pa, Pb, and Pc have different source pressures of cold and hot water at each floor of the building. For this reason,
Although it is necessary to change the set value for each controller 5, all the numerical values relating to the above variables can be changed to arbitrary values by a command from the centralized monitoring and control device 6.

First, the controller 5 always operates the pressure sensor S1 (S1 ') irrespective of the command from the centralized monitoring and control device 6.
And the pressure detection signal sent from S2 (S2 '). The pressure of the pressure detection signal is measured by the pressure measuring unit 501 via the input / output unit 505 of the microcomputer 500, and P1 and P2 are obtained as measured values. Then, the measured values P1 and P2 are compared with the reference set pressure values Pb and Pc, which are the reference set pressure values, in the comparison calculation unit 502.

As a result of the comparison operation, the measured values P1 and P2 become P
When the values of b and Pc fall below the values, the controller 5 determines that water leakage has occurred, and the valve control unit 503 sets the input / output unit 50
5 to output a valve closing signal to each control valve V1.
(V1 ') and V2 (V2') are closed, and the centralized monitoring and control device 6 is notified that a water leak has occurred. At this time, lamps, LEDs, and the like provided in the operation display unit 506 also perform display according to the state. However, each control valve V1
When (V1 ') and V2 (V2') are closed, these processes are not performed.

As described above, when the piping system of the AHU 4 is cut off due to the water leakage, the piping system is appropriately repaired to eliminate the cause of the water leakage, and then the centralized monitoring control device 6 or the controller 5 is manually reset. The valve control unit 503 of the microcomputer 500 includes the input / output unit 50
5 to output a valve opening signal to each control valve V1.
(V1 ') and V2 (V2') are released, and the microcomputer 500 notifies the centralized monitoring and control device 6 that the operation has returned to the normal operation.

Next, at a predetermined time, the centralized monitoring and control device 6 instructs the microcomputer 500 of the controller 5 to start detection of water leakage. When the microcomputer 500 receives the start command of the water leak detection, the valve control unit 503 outputs a valve closing signal through the input / output unit 505, and the control valve V1 (V1) provided in the connection pipe on the inflow side and the outflow side of the AHU4. ') And V2 (V2') are closed to form a leak measurement section 7 (7 '). Then, the timer 504 of the microcomputer 500 measures an arbitrary time given by the variable t1, for example, 90 seconds. During this time, the temperature of the cold or hot water in the cooling coil 4a or the heating coil 4b of the AHU 4 shifts to the temperature in the atmosphere with the lapse of time, and the pressure thereof also fluctuates, and is usually stabilized at a certain water pressure.

When the time measurement is completed, the valve control section 503 of the microcomputer 500 once opens the control valve V1 (V1 ') provided in the connection pipe on the inflow side of the AHU 4 to open the cold water / hot water measurement section 7 (7'). And the control valve V1 (V1 ′) is closed again. At this time, the re-sealing time for re-sealing the cold and hot water into the water leakage measurement section 7 (7 ') can be appropriately changed depending on the magnitude of the initial pressure in the water leakage measurement section 7 (7'). Leakage measurement section 7
When the cold and hot water is sealed again in (7 ′), the pressure measuring unit 501 of the microcomputer 500 causes the pressure sensor S1
The water pressure in the water leak measurement section 7 (7 ') is measured by the pressure detection signals of (S1') and S2 (S2 '), and this measured value is taken as the initial values of the variables P1 and P2. But,
At this point, if the measured values P1 and P2 are too low, it is determined that there is a water leak or a device failure, and the centralized monitoring and control device 6 is notified that a water leak or other abnormality has occurred.

The timer 504 of the microcomputer 500 calculates an arbitrary time given by the variable t2, for example, 6
Time measurement is performed for 0 seconds, and after the time measurement, water leakage measurement section 7 (7 ')
Measure the water pressure again. This measurement result is sent to the comparison operation unit 502 of the microcomputer 500 and is compared with the initial values P1 and P2 obtained earlier. The result of this operation is a constant value given by the variable Pa, for example, 1 as the initial value.
When it falls below // 2, it is determined that a water leak has occurred, and the controller 5 outputs a water leak detection signal to notify the centralized monitoring and control device 6 that the water leak has occurred. Water leakage is detected,
Control valve V1 after AHU4 piping system is cut off
The method of restoring (V1 ′) and V2 (V2 ′) is the same as described above, and a description thereof will be omitted. In addition, water leakage measurement section 7
If the water pressure is not detected as a result of measuring the water pressure in (7 ′), the valve control unit 5 of the microcomputer 500
Reference numeral 03 outputs a valve open signal via the input / output unit 505 to open each control valve V1 (V1 ') and V2 (V2') to return to the original state.

In this embodiment, in addition to the above-described method of detecting a water leak, a subroutine of another method of detecting a water leak that performs the following operation is provided. According to this, as described above, the centralized monitoring controller 6 instructs the microcomputer 500 of the controller 5 to start water leak detection at a predetermined time, and the valve controller 503 of the microcomputer 500 A valve closing signal is output via 505, and the control valve V2 (V2 ') provided on the connection pipe on the outflow side of AHU4 is closed. Then, the process proceeds to a subroutine process, and the timer 50 of the microcomputer 500 is executed.
4 measures an arbitrary time given by the variable t3, for example, 90 seconds. When the time measurement is completed, the microcomputer 50
The valve control unit 503 outputs a valve closing signal via the input / output unit 505, closes the control valve V1 (V1 ') provided on the connection pipe on the inflow side of the AHU 4, and sets the leak measurement section 7 to zero.
(7 ') is formed. Thereafter, the process returns to the main routine to perform the above-described water leak detection processing.

In measuring the water pressure in the water leak measurement section 7 (7 '), if the fan 4c of the AHU 4 is operated, the cooling coil 4a and the heating coil 4b in the AHU 4 can be operated.
The heat exchange of the cold and hot water sealed in the water is promoted, and the fluctuation of the water pressure can be made more remarkable. Therefore, the water pressure in the water leak measurement section 7 (7 ') can be stabilized in a short time, so that even when the source pressure of the cold and hot water supplied as in the upper floor of the building is low, the controller 5 can control the water temperature change. It is possible to easily determine whether the pressure is a fluctuation of the water pressure due to water leakage or a fluctuation of the water pressure due to water leakage. But AH
Since the fan 4c of U4 does not necessarily have to be operated, the fan 4c can be stopped as necessary.

The above-described water leakage measurement section 7 (7 ') is formed, and the control valves V1 (V1') and V2 (V2 ')
When one or both of the control valves V1 (V1 ') and V2 (V2') do not operate when opening and returning, the input / output unit 505 of the microcomputer 500 does not operate the control valve V1 ( V1 ') or V2 (V
2 ′), the control valve V1 receives the opening information output signal.
(V1 ') or V2 (V2'). Then, the microcomputer 500 outputs a failure occurrence signal corresponding to the control valve V1 (V1 ') or V2 (V2') which did not operate to the centralized monitoring and control device 6 via the input / output unit 505, and Notify that a failure has occurred. In this case, as described above, the control valve V1 (V
1 ′) or V2 (V2 ′) after performing necessary and necessary repairs, etc., and then manually resetting the centralized monitoring and control device 6 or the controller 5 to control the control valves V1 (V1 ′) and V2 (V2 ′).
2 (V2 ') is released to return to the original state.

As described above, in each of the above-described water leak detection methods according to the present embodiment, when forming the water leak measurement section 7 (7 '), the cold or hot water is re-sealed or the control valve V1 (V1') is used.
And the closing order of V2 (V2 ')
Even if measurement conditions are not constant, it is possible to effectively detect water leakage. In addition, this embodiment can be implemented at a very low cost because all of the members are constituted only by general and inexpensive members.

[0029]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the water leakage detection and blocking device and the water leakage detection method of the present invention, the water pressure fluctuation due to the water temperature change in the water leakage measurement section is effectively eliminated, and the water leakage detection is efficiently performed. It is possible to detect the water leak of the pipe in which the AHU is installed, and to take an excellent effect such as being able to respond instantaneously. Further according to the invention
Air conditioning during the measurement of water pressure in the leak measurement section.
Make sure that the blower (fan, etc.) of the machine is running
Was sealed in the cooling coil and heating coil inside the air conditioner.
The heat exchange of cold and hot water that has been introduced is promoted, and
Pressure fluctuation can be stabilized in a short time.
Can detect water leaks quickly and accurately
Has a remarkable effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a piping system of an AHU installed on each floor of a building.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a piping system of the AHU.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation of detecting and shutting off water leakage.

[Explanation of symbols]

 4 AHU 5 Controller 6 Centralized monitoring and control device 7 Leakage measurement section 500 Microcomputer 501 Pressure measurement section 502 Comparison operation section 503 Valve control section 504 Clock section 505 Input / output section 506 Operation display section 507 Reset switch S1, S2 Pressure sensor V1, V2 Control valve

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuo Asada 4-1-1-13 Honcho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Takenaka Corporation Co., Ltd. Osaka Main Store 4-1-1-13 Takenaka Corporation, Osaka Main Store (72) Inventor Akira Nakamori 4-1-1-13, Honcho, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture Takenaka Corporation, Osaka Main Store (72) Inventor Aki Azuma Shin No. 1-13 Honcho, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Takenaka Corporation Osaka Main Store (56) References JP-A-57-23798 (JP, A) JP-A-6-261658 (JP, A) JP-A-5-263810 (JP, A) JP-A-4-353734 (JP, A) JP-A-6-347303 (JP, A)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An air conditioner such as FCU or AHU is installed on the way.
Install control valves on the inflow and outflow sides of the installed hot and cold water piping.
To form a water leak measurement section.
Air blower of the air conditioner via the
Close the control valve, fill in cold and hot water,
Detecting water leakage by measuring the pressure drop
A method for detecting water leakage in an air conditioner, characterized in that: 2. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a pressure measurement.
Section, comparison operation section, timekeeping section, valve control section and input / output section.
Each has at least one system, and these are microcontrollers.
Computer-based electronic network, contact or contactless sequencing
The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the air conditioner comprises
Water leak detection method.