JP4125704B2 - Fluid supply device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a fluid supply apparatus, and more particularly, to a fluid supply apparatus equipped in a foam molding apparatus for foam molding a microcellular foam.

In recent years, various investigations have been made on foam molding of microcellular foams composed of fine microcells by various molding methods such as extrusion molding, injection molding or reaction injection molding using supercritical carbon dioxide as a foaming agent. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Such a foam molding apparatus for molding a microcellular foam is equipped with a supply apparatus for supplying carbon dioxide in a supercritical state.

  For example, when carbon dioxide gas is used as a foaming agent, the supply device includes a gas tank, a booster pump, and a flow rate control valve, and the pressure of the carbon dioxide gas stored in the gas tank is increased by the booster pump. While the supply amount is adjusted by the flow rate control valve, a fixed amount is supplied to the foam molding apparatus. In this case, a buffer tank and a pressure regulating valve are provided on the downstream side of the booster pump in order to suppress pulsation in the booster pump.

Further, for example, when liquefied carbon dioxide is used as a foaming agent, a liquefied tank and a liquid feed pump are provided, and the liquefied carbon dioxide stored in the liquefied tank is A fixed amount is supplied to the foam molding apparatus. In this case, a back pressure valve is provided to set a supply pressure to the foam molding apparatus.
Japanese translation of PCT publication No. 2002-501443 JP 2002-178352 A

However, in the supply device using carbon dioxide gas, it is necessary to independently increase the pressure of the gas by the booster pump and adjust the supply amount by the flow rate control valve, and further to suppress the pulsation by the booster pump. This requires a buffer tank and a pressure regulating valve, resulting in an increase in apparatus cost and complicated control.
In addition, in the supply device using liquefied carbon dioxide, since the number of revolutions of the liquid feed pump is fixed, liquefied carbon dioxide is partially vaporized, or it is unavoidable due to ambient temperature change, liquefaction tank, etc. The supply amount becomes unstable.

  In addition, in order to supply liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding apparatus at an arbitrary timing, it is necessary to always stabilize the pressure and supply amount, so the liquefied carbon dioxide is released from the back pressure valve to the atmosphere, The pressure and supply amount are stabilized. However, when the liquefied carbon dioxide is released to the atmosphere, there is a problem that unnecessary consumption of the foaming agent occurs and the manufacturing cost increases. On the other hand, in order to prevent such problems, it is considered to circulate liquefied carbon dioxide. However, when a circulation line is provided, a cooling device having a large capacity is used to prevent vaporization of liquefied carbon dioxide. It is necessary to equip.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid supply device capable of accurately supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding device while reducing the device cost and manufacturing cost with a simple configuration. .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a fluid supply device for supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding apparatus, and a tank for storing a fluid as a foaming agent; Supply means for supplying a fluid as a blowing agent, supply amount measuring means for measuring a supply amount of a fluid as a blowing agent supplied from the supply means, and supply measured by the supply amount measuring means Control means for controlling the supply amount of a fluid as a foaming agent of the supply means based on the amount, a supply line to which the tank, the supply means and the supply amount measuring means are sequentially connected, and the supply line in the supply line A circulation line branched from the downstream side of the supply amount measuring means and connected between the tank and the supply means in the supply line; and the circulation in the supply line. A first valve for supplying or stopping a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, and a fluid as a foaming agent provided in the middle of the circulation line. A second valve for circulating or stopping circulation, and when the control means supplies fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the first valve is opened, and the second valve is When closing and circulating the fluid as a blowing agent in the supply line and the circulation line, the first valve is closed, the second valve is opened, and the upstream side of the second valve in the circulation line Is provided with pressure detection means for detecting the pressure in the pipe, and the control means detects the pressure detection means when starting circulation of the fluid as a foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line. Pressure, if from the tank is supplied pressure or supplying fluid as a blowing agent to the feed line, is characterized by opening the second valve.

  According to such a configuration, the control unit controls the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent of the supply unit based on the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring unit. The fluid can be stably supplied to the foam molding apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to accurately supply the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus while reducing the apparatus cost and the manufacturing cost and reducing the size.

Further , according to such a configuration, when supplying the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the fluid as the foaming agent can be supplied from the supply line to the foam molding apparatus, while the fluid as the foaming agent is supplied to the foam molding apparatus. When not supplied, the fluid as the blowing agent can be circulated in the supply line and the circulation line without opening to the atmosphere. Therefore, unnecessary consumption of the fluid as the foaming agent can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Further , according to such a configuration, when supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the control means opens the first valve and closes the second valve. Moreover, when circulating the fluid as a foaming agent in a supply line and a circulation line, a control means closes a 1st valve and opens a 2nd valve. Therefore, the simple valve control by the control means can selectively achieve the supply of the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus and the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line.

Further, according to this configuration, at the start of circulation in the fluid supply line and the circulation line as the foaming agent, the control means supplies the fluid as the foaming agent from the tank to the supply line. When the pressure is higher than the supply pressure, the second valve is opened. Therefore, in the circulation in the supply line and the circulation line of the fluid as the blowing agent, the pressure of the fluid as the blowing agent flowing into the supply line from the circulation line is higher than the pressure of the fluid as the blowing agent supplied from the tank. Therefore, vaporization of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line can be effectively prevented at a low cost.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid supply device for supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding apparatus, a tank for storing a fluid as a foaming agent, and a fluid as a foaming agent from the tank. On the basis of the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring means, the supply amount measuring means for measuring the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent supplied from the supply means, Control means for controlling the supply amount of fluid as a foaming agent of the supply means, a supply line to which the tank, the supply means and the supply amount measurement means are sequentially connected, and the supply amount measurement means in the supply line. A circulation line branched from the downstream side and connected between the tank and the supply means in the supply line; and a branch portion of the circulation line in the supply line A first valve provided on the downstream side for supplying or stopping supply of a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, and provided in the middle of the circulation line to circulate or stop circulation of a fluid as a foaming agent And the control means opens the first valve and closes the second valve when supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus. When the fluid is circulated in the supply line and the circulation line, the first valve is closed, the second valve is opened, the first valve is closed, and the second valve is opened. In the case where the fluid as the foaming agent is circulated in the supply line and the circulation line, the supply means also serves as a pressure increase means, and detects the pressure in the pipe upstream of the second valve in the circulation line. Pressure sensing for A stage is provided, and when the control means starts circulation of the fluid as a foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line, the detected pressure of the pressure detection means is transferred from the tank to the supply line as a foaming agent. The second valve is opened when the pressure is higher than the supply pressure for supplying the fluid.
According to such a configuration, since the control unit controls the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent of the supply unit based on the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring unit, the simple configuration can be used as the foaming agent. The fluid can be stably supplied to the foam molding apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to accurately supply the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus while reducing the apparatus cost and the manufacturing cost and reducing the size.
Further, according to such a configuration, when supplying the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the fluid as the foaming agent can be supplied from the supply line to the foam molding apparatus, while the fluid as the foaming agent is supplied to the foam molding apparatus. When not supplied, the fluid as the blowing agent can be circulated in the supply line and the circulation line without opening to the atmosphere. Therefore, unnecessary consumption of the fluid as the foaming agent can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
Further, according to such a configuration, when supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the control means opens the first valve and closes the second valve. Moreover, when circulating the fluid as a foaming agent in a supply line and a circulation line, a control means closes a 1st valve and opens a 2nd valve. Therefore, the simple valve control by the control means can selectively achieve the supply of the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus and the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line.
Further, according to such a configuration, the supply means also serves as the pressure increasing means, so that the fluid as the foaming agent can be increased with a simple configuration.
Further, according to this configuration, at the start of circulation in the fluid supply line and the circulation line as the foaming agent, the control means supplies the fluid as the foaming agent from the tank to the supply line. When the pressure is higher than the supply pressure, the second valve is opened. Therefore, in the circulation in the supply line and the circulation line of the fluid as the blowing agent, the pressure of the fluid as the blowing agent flowing into the supply line from the circulation line is higher than the pressure of the fluid as the blowing agent supplied from the tank. Therefore, vaporization of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line can be effectively prevented at a low cost.
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein a check valve is provided between the tank in the supply line and the connection portion of the circulation line. It is characterized by.
According to such a configuration, the check valve can prevent the back flow of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and maintain the pressure in the pipe. Therefore, the supply of fluid as a stable foaming agent can be achieved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid supply apparatus for supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding apparatus, a tank for storing a fluid as a foaming agent, and a fluid as a foaming agent from the tank. On the basis of the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring means, the supply amount measuring means for measuring the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent supplied from the supply means, Control means for controlling the supply amount of fluid as a foaming agent of the supply means, a supply line to which the tank, the supply means and the supply amount measurement means are sequentially connected, and the supply amount measurement means in the supply line. A circulation line branched from the downstream side and connected between the tank and the supply means in the supply line; and a branch portion of the circulation line in the supply line A first valve provided on the downstream side for supplying or stopping supply of a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, and provided in the middle of the circulation line to circulate or stop circulation of a fluid as a foaming agent And the control means opens the first valve and closes the second valve when supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus. When the fluid is circulated in the supply line and the circulation line, the first valve is closed, the second valve is opened, the first valve is closed, and the second valve is opened. In the case where the fluid as the foaming agent is circulated in the supply line and the circulation line, the supply means also serves as a pressure increase means, and between the tank and the connection portion of the circulation line in the supply line, Check valve It is characterized by being kicked.
According to such a configuration, since the control unit controls the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent of the supply unit based on the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring unit, the simple configuration can be used as the foaming agent. The fluid can be stably supplied to the foam molding apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to accurately supply the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus while reducing the apparatus cost and the manufacturing cost and reducing the size.
Further, according to such a configuration, when supplying the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the fluid as the foaming agent can be supplied from the supply line to the foam molding apparatus, while the fluid as the foaming agent is supplied to the foam molding apparatus. When not supplied, the fluid as the blowing agent can be circulated in the supply line and the circulation line without opening to the atmosphere. Therefore, unnecessary consumption of the fluid as the foaming agent can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
Further, according to such a configuration, when supplying a fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the control means opens the first valve and closes the second valve. Moreover, when circulating the fluid as a foaming agent in a supply line and a circulation line, a control means closes a 1st valve and opens a 2nd valve. Therefore, the simple valve control by the control means can selectively achieve the supply of the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus and the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line.
Further, according to such a configuration, the supply means also serves as the pressure increasing means, so that the fluid as the foaming agent can be increased with a simple configuration.
Moreover, according to such a structure, the check valve can prevent the back flow of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line, and can maintain the pressure in the pipe. Therefore, the supply of fluid as a stable foaming agent can be achieved.
Further, an invention according to claim 5, in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the supply line and / or the circulation line is back-pressure valve is provided for regulating the pressure within the pipe It is characterized by being.
According to such a configuration, the pressure in the pipe can be adjusted by compressing the fluid as the blowing agent in the supply line and / or the circulation line by the back pressure valve. Therefore, the supply of fluid as a stable foaming agent can be achieved.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to accurately supply the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus while reducing the apparatus cost and the manufacturing cost and reducing the size.
Further, unnecessary consumption of the fluid as the foaming agent can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
Further, simple valve control by the control means can selectively achieve the supply of the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus and the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line.
Moreover, the vaporization of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line can be effectively prevented at a low cost.

According to invention of Claim 2, the fluid as a foaming agent can be supplied to a foam molding apparatus accurately, aiming at reduction of apparatus cost and manufacturing cost, and size reduction.
Further, unnecessary consumption of the fluid as the foaming agent can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
Further, simple valve control by the control means can selectively achieve the supply of the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus and the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line.
Further, the fluid as the foaming agent can be boosted with a simple configuration.
Moreover, the vaporization of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line can be effectively prevented at a low cost.
According to invention of Claim 3 , supply of the fluid as a stable foaming agent can be achieved.

According to invention of Claim 4, the fluid as a foaming agent can be accurately supplied to a foam molding apparatus, aiming at reduction of apparatus cost and manufacturing cost, and size reduction.
Further, unnecessary consumption of the fluid as the foaming agent can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
Further, simple valve control by the control means can selectively achieve the supply of the fluid as the foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus and the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent in the supply line and the circulation line.
Further, the fluid as the foaming agent can be boosted with a simple configuration.
Moreover, supply of the fluid as a stable foaming agent can be achieved.
According to invention of Claim 5 , supply of the fluid as a stable foaming agent can be achieved.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a foaming agent supply device as an embodiment of a fluid supply device of the present invention. In the following description, “upstream side” and “downstream side” are based on the flow direction of the fluid as the foaming agent.
In FIG. 1, this foaming agent supply apparatus 1 is a foam molding apparatus 2 in a high-pressure / supercritical state in which a liquefied gas as a fluid as a foaming agent, more specifically, liquefied carbon dioxide is continuously or intermittently applied. In addition, a cylinder 3 as a tank, a metering pump 4 as a supply means and a boosting means, and a flow meter 5 as a supply amount measuring means are sequentially supplied from the upstream side to the downstream side. A supply line 6 consisting of connected pipes, and a circulation line 7 consisting of pipes branched from the downstream side of the flow meter 5 in the supply line 6 and connected between the cylinder 3 and the metering pump 4 in the supply line 6; It has.

For example, two cylinders 3 are provided and connected to the supply line 6. These cylinders 3 are filled with liquefied carbon dioxide in a compressed state so that the liquefied carbon dioxide can be supplied to the supply line 6 at a predetermined supply pressure.
In the supply line 6, check valves 9 are connected to the respective cylinders 3 on the downstream side of each cylinder 3 and on the upstream side of the connection portion 8 to which the circulation line 7 is connected. .

In the supply line 6, a refrigerator 10 is connected to the downstream side of the connection portion 8 and upstream of the metering pump 4. The refrigerator 10 cools the liquefied carbon dioxide in the pipe of the supply line 6 to prevent vaporization.
In the supply line 6, a safety valve 11 is connected to a downstream side of the connection portion 8 and an upstream side of the refrigerator 10 so as to branch from the supply line 6. This safety valve 11 is always closed, and is opened when the in-pipe pressure of the supply line 6 exceeds a set pressure.

Further, in the supply line 6, on the downstream side of the refrigerator 10 and on the upstream side of the metering pump 4, an air release valve 12, a pressure sensor 13, and an on-off valve 14 provided to branch from the supply line 6. And the filter 15 are sequentially connected from the upstream side toward the downstream side.
A known liquid feed pump is used for the metering pump 4, and a motor 16 to which the CPU 24 is connected is connected. The motor 16 is inverter-controlled by the CPU 24, and the rotation speed is set. In the metering pump 4, the supply amount of liquefied carbon dioxide is adjusted by the number of rotations of the motor 16.

  Further, in the supply line 6, a pressure sensor 33 provided on the downstream side of the metering pump 4 and on the upstream side of the flow meter 5 is provided so as to branch from the supply line 6, and the supply line 6 and the pressure sensor 33 A safety valve 18 and an air release valve 17 that are branched from between and an open / close valve 19 are sequentially connected from the upstream side toward the downstream side. The safety valve 18 is always closed and is opened when the pipe pressure of the supply line 6 becomes equal to or higher than the set pressure.

As the flow meter 5, a known flow meter is used and is connected to the CPU 24. The CPU 24 performs inverter control on the number of revolutions of the motor 16 based on the supply amount measured by the flow meter 5, and the metering pump 4. The supply amount of liquefied carbon dioxide supplied from is adjusted.
In the supply line 6, on the downstream side of the flow meter 5 and upstream of the branch portion 20 where the circulation line 7 is branched, an on-off valve 21, a filter 22, and a back pressure valve 23 are provided upstream from the upstream side. Are connected sequentially. The back pressure valve 23 adjusts the internal pressure of the supply line 6 to increase the density of the liquefied carbon dioxide, and maintains a high pressure / supercritical state.

Further, in the supply line 6, a pressure sensor 25 is connected to the branch portion 20, and on the downstream side thereof, a first opening / closing control valve 26, a check valve 27, and an opening / closing valve 28 as a first valve, They are sequentially connected from the upstream side toward the downstream side.
Further, the supply line 6 is connected to the foam molding apparatus 2 on the downstream side of the on-off valve 28. The foam molding apparatus 2 is not particularly limited, and is a molding apparatus for foam molding a microcellular foam, and includes an extrusion molding machine, an injection molding machine, a reaction injection (RIM) molding machine, and the like.

The first opening / closing control valve 26 is connected to the CPU 24 and is opened / closed under the control of the CPU 24 to supply or stop supplying liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding apparatus 2.
An air release valve 29, a back pressure valve 30, a pressure sensor 31 as pressure detection means, and a second opening / closing control valve 32 as a second valve are sequentially connected to the circulation line 7 from the upstream side toward the downstream side. .

The back pressure valve 30 adjusts the internal pressure of the circulation line 7 to increase the density of liquefied carbon dioxide, and maintains a high pressure / supercritical state.
The second open / close control valve 32 is connected to the CPU 24, and is opened / closed by the control of the CPU 24, and circulates or stops circulating the liquefied carbon dioxide in the supply line 6 and the circulation line 7.

Next, operation | movement of this foaming agent supply apparatus 1 is demonstrated.
First, when the foaming agent supply device 1 is started, the open / close valves 14, 19, 21 and 28 interposed in the middle of the supply line 6 are opened, and the air release valve interposed in the middle of the supply line 6. 12, 17 and the atmosphere release valve 29 interposed in the middle of the circulation line 7 are closed.
The pressure sensors 13, 33, 25, and 31 are connected to the CPU 24, although not shown.

  The cylinders 3 are opened under the control of the CPU 24 with the first opening / closing control valve 26 and the second opening / closing control valve 32 closed. Then, liquefied carbon dioxide is supplied to the supply line 6 and flows into the refrigerator 10 through the check valves 9. The liquefied carbon dioxide that has flowed into the refrigerator 10 is suppressed from being vaporized by being cooled, and then flows into the metering pump 4 through the on-off valve 14 and the filter 15. In the metering pump 4, liquefied carbon dioxide is fed at a supply amount corresponding to the rotation speed of the motor 16 that is inverter-controlled by the CPU 24.

Thereafter, the liquefied carbon dioxide flows into the flow meter 5 through the on-off valve 19. The flow meter 5 measures the flow rate (supply amount) of the liquefied carbon dioxide that has flowed in. The liquefied carbon dioxide flowing out from the flow meter 5 flows into the circulation line 7 via the on-off valve 21, the filter 22 and the back pressure valve 23.
The liquefied carbon dioxide flowing into the circulation line 7 reaches the second opening / closing control valve 32 via the back pressure valve 30. At this time, the pressure sensor 31 provided on the upstream side of the second opening / closing control valve 32 When detecting a predetermined pressure equal to or higher than the supply pressure of the cylinder 3, the CPU 24 opens the second opening / closing control valve 32. Then, each check valve 9 is provided on the downstream side of each cylinder 3 and the first opening / closing control valve 26 is closed, so that the liquefied carbon dioxide is boosted by the metering pump 4 while the supply line 6 and The circulation line 7 is sequentially circulated. At this time, since the pressure of the liquefied carbon dioxide flowing into the supply line 6 from the circulation line 7 becomes higher than the pressure of the liquefied carbon dioxide supplied from each tank 3, the liquefied carbon dioxide that circulates is liquefied in the supply line 6. The vaporization of carbon dioxide can be effectively prevented at a low cost by adjusting the pressure. Further, the pressure to be supplied to the foam molding apparatus 2 is adjusted by the back pressure valves 23 and 30, and the high pressure / supercritical state is maintained.

When supplying liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding apparatus 2, the first opening / closing control valve 26 is opened and the second opening / closing control valve 32 is closed under the control of the CPU 24. Then, the liquefied carbon dioxide is supplied from the first opening / closing control valve 26 to the foam molding apparatus 2 in the high pressure / supercritical state via the check valve 27 and the opening / closing valve 28 in the supply line 6.
When the supply of liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding apparatus 2 is stopped, the first opening / closing control valve 26 is first closed with the second opening / closing control valve 32 closed under the control of the CPU 24. Then, the liquefied carbon dioxide flows into the circulation line 7 and reaches the second opening / closing control valve 32 via the back pressure valve 30. At this time, the pressure sensor 31 provided on the upstream side of the second opening / closing control valve 32. However, when a predetermined pressure equal to or higher than the supply pressure of each cylinder 3 is detected, the CPU 24 opens the second opening / closing control valve 32. Then, the liquefied carbon dioxide flows into the supply line 6 and sequentially circulates through the supply line 6 and the circulation line 7 while being pressurized by the metering pump 4 as described above. Moreover, since the pressure of the liquefied carbon dioxide which flows into the supply line 6 from the circulation line 7 becomes higher than the pressure of the liquefied carbon dioxide supplied from each tank 3, the liquefied carbon dioxide circulating at this time in the supply line 6 The vaporization of liquefied carbon dioxide can be effectively prevented at a low cost by adjusting the pressure.

  And in such a foaming agent supply apparatus 1, CPU24 carries out inverter control of the rotation speed of the motor 16 based on the supply amount measured by the flowmeter 5, and the liquid carbon dioxide supplied from the metering pump 4 is controlled. Since the supply amount is adjusted, liquefied carbon dioxide can be stably supplied to the foam molding apparatus 2 while suppressing pulsation even in the above-described supply or circulation switching. Therefore, the liquefied carbon dioxide can be supplied to the foam molding apparatus 2 with high accuracy while reducing the apparatus cost and the manufacturing cost and reducing the size.

  Further, in this foaming agent supply device 1, when supplying liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding apparatus 2, liquefied carbon dioxide can be supplied from the supply line 6 to the foam molding apparatus 2, while liquefied carbon dioxide is supplied to the foam molding apparatus 2. When not, liquefied carbon dioxide can be circulated in the circulation line 7 without opening it to the atmosphere. Therefore, unnecessary consumption of liquefied carbon dioxide can be prevented, and an increase in manufacturing cost can be suppressed.

Moreover, in this foaming agent supply apparatus 1, when the 1st on-off control valve 26 is closed, the 2nd on-off control valve 32 is opened, and liquefied carbon dioxide is circulated in the supply line 6 and the circulation line 7, it is fixed. Since the pump 4 boosts the liquefied carbon dioxide, the liquefied carbon dioxide can be boosted with a simple configuration.
Moreover, in this foaming agent supply device 1, when supplying liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding device 2, the CPU 24 opens the first opening / closing control valve 26 and closes the second opening / closing control valve 32. When the liquefied carbon dioxide is sequentially circulated in the supply line 6 and the circulation line 7, the CPU 24 closes the first opening / closing control valve 26 and opens the second opening / closing control valve 32. Therefore, the supply of liquefied carbon dioxide to the foam molding apparatus 2 and the circulation of the liquefied carbon dioxide in the supply line 6 and the circulation line 7 can be selectively achieved by simple valve control by the CPU 24.

Further, in this foaming agent supply device 1, backflow from the supply line 6 to each cylinder 3 can be prevented by each check valve 9, and from the foam molding device 2 by the check valve 27. Backflow into the can be prevented. Thereby, since the pressure in the pipe of the supply line 6 can be maintained, stable supply of liquefied carbon dioxide can be achieved.
Furthermore, in this foaming agent supply apparatus 1, the supply line 6 and the circulation line 7 are provided with back pressure valves 23 and 30 for adjusting the pressure in the pipe, respectively. The liquefied carbon dioxide can be compressed to adjust the pressure in the tube. Therefore, since the high-pressure and supercritical state of liquefied carbon dioxide can be stably maintained, it is possible to achieve a more stable supply of liquefied carbon dioxide.

In the above description, the fluid supply device of the present invention is applied to carbon dioxide. However, the fluid supply device of the present invention is not limited to the above, and a fluid as a blowing agent other than carbon dioxide, for example, , Nitrogen, argon, flammable gas (hydrocarbon etc.), water, etc.
Moreover, the fluid supply apparatus of the present invention can be applied to fields other than foaming.

It is a schematic block diagram which shows the foaming agent supply apparatus as one Embodiment of the fluid supply apparatus of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Foam supply device 2 Foam molding device 3 Cylinder 4 Metering pump 5 Flow meter 6 Supply line 7 Circulation line 8 Connection part 9 Check valve 20 Branch part 23 Back pressure valve 24 CPU
26 First Open / Close Control Valve 27 Check Valve 30 Back Pressure Valve 32 Second Open / Close Control Valve

Claims (5)

In a fluid supply device for supplying fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding device,
A tank for storing a fluid as a blowing agent;
Supply means for supplying fluid as a blowing agent from the tank;
A supply amount measuring means for measuring a supply amount of fluid as a blowing agent supplied from the supply means;
Control means for controlling the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent of the supply means based on the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring means ;
A supply line to which the tank, the supply means and the supply amount measurement means are sequentially connected;
A circulation line branched from the downstream side of the supply amount measuring means in the supply line and connected between the tank and the supply means in the supply line;
A first valve provided on the downstream side of the branch portion of the circulation line in the supply line, for supplying or stopping supply of fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus;
A second valve provided in the middle of the circulation line, for circulating or stopping the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent;
When supplying the fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the control means opens the first valve, closes the second valve, and supplies the fluid as a foaming agent to the supply line and the circulation. When circulating in the line, close the first valve, open the second valve,
On the upstream side of the second valve in the circulation line, pressure detection means for detecting the pressure in the pipe is provided,
When the control means starts circulation in the supply line and the circulation line of the fluid as a foaming agent, the detection pressure of the pressure detection means supplies the fluid as the foaming agent from the tank to the supply line The fluid supply device, wherein the second valve is opened when the pressure is higher than the pressure. In a fluid supply device for supplying fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding device,
A tank for storing a fluid as a blowing agent;
Supply means for supplying fluid as a blowing agent from the tank;
A supply amount measuring means for measuring a supply amount of fluid as a blowing agent supplied from the supply means;
Control means for controlling the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent of the supply means based on the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring means;
A supply line to which the tank, the supply means and the supply amount measurement means are sequentially connected;
A circulation line branched from the downstream side of the supply amount measuring means in the supply line and connected between the tank and the supply means in the supply line;
A first valve provided on the downstream side of the branch portion of the circulation line in the supply line, for supplying or stopping supply of fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus;
A second valve provided in the middle of the circulation line, for circulating or stopping the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent;
When supplying the fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the control means opens the first valve, closes the second valve, and supplies the fluid as a foaming agent to the supply line and the circulation. When circulating in the line, close the first valve, open the second valve,
When the first valve is closed, the second valve is opened, and the fluid as the foaming agent is circulated in the supply line and the circulation line, the supply means also serves as a pressure increase means,
On the upstream side of the second valve in the circulation line, pressure detection means for detecting the pressure in the pipe is provided,
When the control means starts circulation in the supply line and the circulation line of the fluid as a foaming agent, the detection pressure of the pressure detection means supplies the fluid as the foaming agent from the tank to the supply line The fluid supply device, wherein the second valve is opened when the pressure is higher than the pressure. Wherein between the tank and the connection portion of the circulation line in the supply line, and a check valve is provided, the fluid supply device according to claim 1 or 2. In a fluid supply device for supplying fluid as a foaming agent to a foam molding device,
A tank for storing a fluid as a blowing agent;
Supply means for supplying fluid as a blowing agent from the tank;
A supply amount measuring means for measuring a supply amount of fluid as a blowing agent supplied from the supply means;
Control means for controlling the supply amount of the fluid as the foaming agent of the supply means based on the supply amount measured by the supply amount measuring means;
A supply line to which the tank, the supply means and the supply amount measurement means are sequentially connected;
A circulation line branched from the downstream side of the supply amount measuring means in the supply line and connected between the tank and the supply means in the supply line;
A first valve provided on the downstream side of the branch portion of the circulation line in the supply line, for supplying or stopping supply of fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus;
A second valve provided in the middle of the circulation line, for circulating or stopping the circulation of the fluid as the foaming agent;
When supplying the fluid as a foaming agent to the foam molding apparatus, the control means opens the first valve, closes the second valve, and supplies the fluid as a foaming agent to the supply line and the circulation. When circulating in the line, close the first valve, open the second valve,
When the first valve is closed, the second valve is opened, and the fluid as the foaming agent is circulated in the supply line and the circulation line, the supply means also serves as a pressure increase means,
A fluid supply apparatus, wherein a check valve is provided between the tank in the supply line and a connection portion of the circulation line. The fluid supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein a back pressure valve for adjusting a pipe internal pressure is provided in the supply line and / or the circulation line.

Images