JP6027161B2 - Air valve - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air valve for exhausting air accumulated inside the water pipe to the pipe outside.

  Conventionally, air valves for discharging the air inside the water pipe to the outside have been widely used in various places in order to prevent harmful effects caused by the accumulation of air inside the water pipe. The air valve is a large amount of exhaust (rapid exhaust) that exhausts a large amount of air in the water pipe after water pipe installation, water pipe investigation, water supply pump accidents due to natural disasters, water pipe damage, and water pipe construction, etc. In general, it has a function and a function of exhausting a small amount of air mixed in the water pipe for a variety of reasons while the tap water is flowing through the water pipe at a normal pressure.

  The present applicant has disclosed a small air valve having a special structure in Patent Document 1 in which the inventor of the present invention is an inventor, leaving the function of a large amount of exhaust and leaving only the function of a small amount of exhaust. This miniaturized air valve is not only applied to a single air valve, but is more preferably used for a fire hydrant with an air valve that functions to maintain the ability of the fire hydrant. In the present application, unless otherwise specified, the “air valve” indicates a part of an air valve integrated with a single air valve and other water supply equipment (for example, a fire hydrant).

  The air valve 101 shown in FIG. 6 is the same as the air valve disclosed in Patent Document 1 and having a structure that enhances the ability to prevent intrusion of rainwater and the like from the outside. The air valve 101 has, as a basic structure, a cylindrical cylinder 102 that introduces tap water into the inside from a lower water supply port 121, and an inner side of the cylinder 102 (with a gap between the cylinder 102 and the inside thereof). A columnar float valve 103 that can be moved up and down and an elongated air hole 141 for exhausting a small amount of gas penetrate vertically, and when the columnar float valve 103 is lifted by receiving buoyancy from tap water, it opens the air hole 141. An end block 104 having a valve seat function that can be closely attached so as to be closed, and an end cap 106 that covers the end block 104 and is fixed to the cylinder 102 and has an exhaust port 161 formed on a side surface thereof. Air from the water pipe accumulates below the end block 104 inside the cylinder 102, pushes down the columnar float valve 103 to open the air hole 141, and extends between the end cap 106 and the end block 104 from the elongated air hole 141. The gap 162 is passed through to the exhaust port 161 of the end cap 106 and discharged from there. The end cap 106 can be attached to and detached from the end block 104 and the columnar float valve 103 simply by rotating with respect to the cylinder 102 during maintenance.

  The air valve 101 has an O-ring valve element 107 fixed to the vicinity of the lower end of the columnar float valve 103 in order to enhance the ability to prevent rainwater and the like, and a mortar-shaped valve is connected to the lower end of the cylinder 102, that is, the water supply port 121. A seal block 108 serving as a seat is provided. Before use of water pipes, investigation of water pipes, water supply pump accidents due to natural disasters, water pipe damage, and construction of water pipes, the vicinity of the lower water supply port 121 becomes atmospheric pressure level or negative pressure level, and external rainwater Or air containing dust is likely to enter (reverse). In the air valve 101, rainwater or the like that reaches the air hole 141 through the exhaust port 161 and the gap 162 from the outside may enter the air hole 141. Rainwater or the like that has entered the inside of the cylinder 102 is difficult to pass through a long and narrow gap due to the surface tension effect (sealing effect) of the adhering water because the columnar float valve 103 is immediately inside the cylinder 102. Further, at that time, the columnar float valve 103 is lowered and the valve body 107 is in close contact with the seal block 108, so that the water supply port 121 is shut off and rain water or the like is prevented from entering below.

  The air valve 201 shown in FIG. 7 is also disclosed in Patent Document 1, and is the same as another air valve having a structure in which the ability to prevent rainwater or the like is enhanced. This air valve 201 has a structure in the vicinity of the air hole 241 instead of the structure in the vicinity of the water supply port 121 as in the case of the air valve 101 described above, so that the ability to prevent rainwater and the like is enhanced. That is, the air valve 201 includes a cylinder 202 having a water supply port 221, a columnar float valve 203, and an end block 204 having the same function as described above, and communicates with the air hole 241 above the end block 204. An end block auxiliary body 205 having a hollow portion 251 is provided. The hollow portion 251 contains a ball valve 252, and a pipe 206 is fixed to the hollow portion 251. Air from the air hole 241 floats on the ball valve 252 and flows out from the gap, and is discharged from the hollow portion 251 through the pipe 206. When the air does not flow out from the air hole 241, normally, the ball valve 252 blocks the air hole 241, so that rainwater or the like can be prevented. In addition, the air valve 201 can use the end cap 106 of the air valve 101, and can use the clearance gap between the end cap 106 and the end block auxiliary body 205 instead of a pipe.

JP 2005-61618 A

  However, blocking by the valve body 107 and the seal block 108 of the air valve 101 uses the weight of the columnar float valve 103 itself, and blocking by the ball valve 252 of the air valve 201 uses the weight of the ball valve 252 itself. Depending on how pressure is applied, such as rainwater, the stopping ability may not be sufficient. Further, when the air valve is installed at an extreme inclination, the blocking capability is weakened.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air valve that increases the ability to prevent rainwater and the like, and does not weaken the ability to prevent rainwater and the like even when installed at an angle. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the air valve according to claim 1 includes a cylinder connected to the water pipe, and tap water is mixed in the water pipe in a state where the tap water flows through the cylinder at a normal pressure. An elongated air hole penetrating in the vertical direction to exhaust a small amount of the air, and a float valve that is disposed inside the cylinder and lifts up and receives the buoyancy from the tap water to close the air hole, an air valve having a function of small amount discharge with, preventing the hollow portion communicating with the air holes, and the second air holes penetrating the side walls forming the hollow portion, the rain water or the like from the outside from entering given in close contact with an elastic force have a, an elastic member capable of blocking the second air hole, the hollow portion is passage of air other than the air hole and the second air holes to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall as Furthermore the end block auxiliary body that becomes the free state For example, characterized in that is.

The air valve according to claim 2 is for exhausting little by little the air mixed in the water pipe in a state where the water connected to the water pipe and the tap water is flowing through the water pipe at a normal pressure. It has a function of a small amount of exhaust having a long and narrow air hole penetrating in the vertical direction and a float valve that is disposed inside the cylinder and is lifted and lowered by receiving buoyancy from the tap water to block the air hole. in air valve, a hollow portion communicating with the air hole, the predetermined second air holes penetrating the side walls forming the hollow portion, the outer peripheral surface of the side wall so as to prevent the rainwater from entering from the outside of an elastic member in close contact with an elastic force capable of blocking the second air holes, have a, the end cap the hollow portion is in a state free from air passage in addition to the air hole and the second air hole Furthermore, it is characterized by providing.

According to the air valve of the present invention, when air accumulates above the tap water introduced into the cylinder, the air passes through the elongated air hole due to the pressure of the end block auxiliary body (or end cap). The elastic body is stretched by the pressure of the air through the second air hole, flows out through a gap, and is discharged to the outside through the second air hole. On the other hand, when the inside of the cylinder is at the atmospheric pressure level or the negative pressure level, the elastic body is in close contact with the second air hole so that the ability to prevent rainwater from the outside is very high. be inclined valve blocking ability is not such weakened.

It is sectional drawing of the air valve 1 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which expanded and showed a part of air valve 1 same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the example of a connection in case the air valve 1 same as the above is used as a single unit. It is sectional drawing of the fire hydrant 10 with an air valve which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which expanded and showed a part of modification of the air valve 1 same as the above. It is sectional drawing of the conventional air valve 101. FIG. It is sectional drawing of another conventional air valve.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the air valve 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has a cylinder 2, a columnar float valve 3, an end block 4, and an end block auxiliary body 5 in a state of exhibiting the above-described small amount exhaust function . The end cap 6 is provided. The air valve 1 is installed so that the axial direction of the cylinder 2 is the vertical direction. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view above the end block 4. When the air valve 1 is used as a single air valve, for example, as shown in the example of FIG. 3, a water stop valve (not shown) or the like is connected to the lower side of the air valve 1 via a pipe joint 19, and a tap is provided at the end. Connected to the tube. In addition, the code | symbol 18 in FIG. 3 (and FIG. 4 mentioned later) is a cushion material used as a buffer when the columnar float valve 3 descend | falls. Hereinafter, the configuration of the cylinder 2, the columnar float valve 3, the end block 4, the end block auxiliary body 5, and the end cap 6 will be described together with the operation during a small amount of exhaust (during normal operation).

  The cylinder 2 has a cylindrical shape that is long in the axial direction, the lower opening is a water supply port 21, and tap water from a water pipe is introduced into the inside through the lower water supply port 21. For example, the cylinder 2 is cylindrical. Preferably, as shown in the figure, an upper thread (upper opening) is formed with a male screw, and by screwing with a female thread of an end cap 6 to be described later, they are fixed by screws.

  The columnar float valve 3 is disposed so as to be movable up and down just inside the cylinder 2 (with a small gap inside the cylinder 2). The weight of the columnar float valve 3 is such that when tap water is introduced into the cylinder 2 and receives buoyancy, an air hole 41 of the end block 4 to be described later can be tightly closed, and the upper part of the cylinder 2 It is decided to push down moderately when air accumulates. Further, the central upper end of the columnar float valve 3 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom surface of the end block 4 so that the air hole 41 of the end block 4 can be tightly closed, for example, as shown in the figure. Yes.

  The end block 4 is disposed above the columnar float valve 3 so as to confine the columnar float valve 3 in the cylinder 2, and is fixed to the upper opening of the cylinder 2. The end block 4 is sandwiched between a step (see FIG. 1) whose peripheral portion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder 2 and an end block auxiliary body 5 which will be described later. By being pressed against the cap 6, it is fixed so as not to move up and down.

  The end block 4 has an elongated air hole 41 penetrating in the vertical direction for small amount exhaust. When the columnar float valve 3 is lifted by receiving buoyancy from tap water, the columnar float valve 3 comes into close contact with the air hole 41. Further, when air is accumulated in the upper part of the cylinder 2 and the columnar float valve 3 is pushed down, the air hole 41 is opened and the air is discharged from the air hole 41.

  For example, the end block 4 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has an elastic packing material 4b at the center of the base portion 4a, and has a packing fixing member 4c above the packing material 4b. An air hole 41 is formed along the central axis of the packing material 4b and the packing fixing member 4c. The diameter of the air hole 41 in the packing fixing member 4c is larger than the diameter in the packing material 4b. The packing material 4b has a valve seat function, and its elasticity improves the adhesion when the columnar float valve 3 comes into contact.

  The end block auxiliary body 5 is provided above the end block 4 and is covered with an end cap 6 described later. When the end cap 6 is pressed against the cylinder 2 and fixed, the end block auxiliary body 5 is pressed against both the end block 4 and the end cap 6 so as to be in close contact with both of them and not move up and down. To be fixed. Therefore, the gap between the end block auxiliary body 5 and the end block 4 and the gap between the end block auxiliary body 5 and the end cap 6 are sealed. The end block auxiliary body 5 is suitably made of a synthetic resin such as an ABS resin having moderate flexibility so that the gap with the end block 4 and the gap with the end cap 6 can be satisfactorily sealed. .

  The end block auxiliary body 5 has a hollow portion 51 formed in the base portion 5 a, and the hollow portion 51 communicates with the air hole 41 of the end block 4. A second air hole 52 penetrating in a lateral direction from the hollow portion 51 is formed in a side wall (a part of the base portion 5a) 5ab forming the hollow portion 51. Therefore, when the end block auxiliary body 5 is in close contact with both the end block 4 and the end cap 6 without a gap, the hollow portion 51 has no air passage other than the second air hole 52 and the air hole 41. In addition, the hollow part 51 may penetrate through up and down like FIG. 1, and the upper part may not penetrate.

  A ring-shaped elastic body 53 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab of the hollow portion 51 so as to be in close contact with a predetermined elastic force and close the second air hole 52. The diameter of the elastic body 53 is larger than the diameter of the second air hole 52. The elastic body 53 is expanded by the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab and is always in a tensioned state (a stretched state), and thereby is in close contact with a predetermined elastic force. More specifically, a ring-shaped recess is formed at the position of the opening of the second air hole 52 on the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab of the hollow portion 51, and the elastic body 53 is fitted therein.

  In the hollow portion 51 of the end block auxiliary body 5, the air discharged from the air holes 41 of the end block 4 collects, and when the pressure becomes higher than a preset pressure (set pressure), a predetermined amount is formed outside the second air hole 52. The ring-shaped elastic body 53 that is in close contact with the elastic force is pushed out. FIG. 2 (and FIG. 1) shows the state at this time. If it does so, a clearance gap will be made between the elastic body 53 and side wall 5ab, and the air of the hollow part 51 will flow out from the 2nd air hole 52. FIG. On the other hand, when the air is not discharged from the air hole 41 of the end block 4 to the hollow part 51 or when the pressure of the air in the hollow part 51 is lower than the set pressure, the ring-shaped elastic body 53 has the second air hole. The air in the hollow portion 51 is not discharged. The set pressure is determined in consideration of the pressure of tap water flowing in the water pipe. Further, when the pressure in the water pipe becomes locally abnormally high due to a so-called water hammer or air hammer, and the air pressure in the hollow portion 51 greatly exceeds the set pressure, the sealed end block auxiliary body 5 and The gap between the end block 4 or the gap between the end block auxiliary body 5 and the end cap 6 can be opened to discharge air to the outside, thereby preventing the elastic body 53 from being displaced or ruptured.

  For example, the end block auxiliary body 5 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and the upper portion 5aa has an outer diameter that fits firmly inside the end cap 6, that is, an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the inner diameter of the end cap 6. On the other hand, the lower part of the end block auxiliary body 5 has an outer diameter smaller than that of the upper part 5aa. This lower part is the side wall 5ab which forms the hollow part 51, and the 2nd air hole 52 which penetrates the side wall 5ab from the hollow part 51 is formed as mentioned above. A gap 54 (described later) having a predetermined size is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab of the end block auxiliary body 5 and the inner peripheral surface (described later) of the end cap 6. As shown in the figure, a male screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the upper portion 5aa of the end block auxiliary body 5, a female screw is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the side portion of the end cap 6 described later, and these are screwed together to form the end block. It is also possible for the auxiliary body 5 to be easily fitted into the end cap 6.

  The end cap 6 covers the end block auxiliary body 5 and is fixed to the cylinder 2. The end cap 6 also presses the end block auxiliary body 5 by a force firmly fixed to the cylinder 2. As described above, the gap portion 54 is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the side portion of the end cap 6 and the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab of the end block auxiliary body 5, and the discharge communicating with the gap portion 54 is formed. A hole 61 is formed in the side of the end cap 6. The gap portion 54 communicates with the second air hole 52 when a gap is formed between the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab forming the hollow portion 51 of the end block auxiliary body 5 and the elastic body 53. The air flowing out from the hollow portion 51 of the end block auxiliary body 5 through the second air hole 52 is discharged from the gap portion 54 through the discharge hole 61 to the outside.

  For example, the end cap 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom. Preferably, as shown in the figure, an internal thread is formed in the vicinity of the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the side portion, and as described above, these are fixed by screwing with the external thread of the cylinder 2. The

  Unlike the normal operation, the air valve 1 operates as follows when the vicinity of the water supply port 21 below the air valve 1 is in an atmospheric pressure level or a negative pressure level. In this state, the columnar float valve 3 in the cylinder 2 is lowered, and the air hole 41 of the end block 4 is opened. Then, since the hollow portion 51 of the end block auxiliary body 5 is at the atmospheric pressure level or the negative pressure level, when rainwater or the like enters the gap portion 54 from the outside, it further tries to enter the second air hole 52. However, at this time, since the elastic body 53 is in close contact with the second air hole 52, the intrusion of rainwater or the like is prevented. Since the elastic body 53 is in close contact with the second air hole 52 in a tensioned state, the blocking capability is very high, and the blocking capability is not weakened even if the air valve 1 is tilted. Further, even if foreign matter adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall 5ab of the hollow portion 51 due to rainwater or the like, it is difficult to enter the hollow portion 51 through the second air hole 52 formed in the lateral direction, However, since it is difficult to reach the air hole 41 through the hollow portion 51, the elongated air hole 41 is prevented from being blocked by foreign matter.

  As a more preferred form, the cross-sectional area of the second air hole 52 is made larger than the cross-sectional area of the portion having the smallest diameter in the air hole 41 (the portion formed in the packing material 4b). If it does so, the air discharged | emitted from the air hole 41 to the hollow part 51 at the time of normal operation | movement will be discharged | emitted from the 2nd air hole 52 toward the exterior smoothly. Therefore, the original operation of the air valve, that is, the operation of discharging the air at a predetermined atmospheric pressure accumulated in the upper part of the cylinder 2 to the outside of the cylinder 2 can be hardly hindered by the hollow portion 51. The influence of the presence of the part 51 can be almost eliminated. Note that the cross-sectional area when a plurality of second air holes 52 are formed indicates the total cross-sectional area.

  Further, it is preferable to form only one second air hole 52. Then, since there is only one route for rainwater or the like to enter, the blocking capability is high, and the pressure for pushing the elastic body 53 is stable when the air in the hollow portion 51 is discharged from the second air hole 52 during normal operation. It becomes easy to do.

Next, a fire hydrant 10 with an air valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the fire hydrant 10 with an air valve includes an air valve 1 having a small amount of exhaust function similar to the air valve according to the first embodiment and a fire hydrant body 11. The fire hydrant main body 11 has a structure similar to that of a general fire hydrant, and tap water is introduced from a tap pipe through which tap water is introduced, and tap water is introduced from the tap water introduction path 12 to a water outlet 13a. A fire extinguishing water discharge channel 13 that enables water discharge from the water source, and an opening / closing valve unit 14 that opens and closes between the tap water introduction channel 12 and the fire extinguishing water discharge channel 13. In addition, an air valve communication path 15 that communicates from the tap water introduction path 12 to the water supply port 21 of the air valve 1 is provided. The tap water is introduced from the tap water introduction path 12 through the air valve communication path 15 into the cylinder 2 of the air valve 1. The on-off valve portion 14 functions so that the lower end 14b closes between the tap water introduction passage 12 and the fire-extinguishing water discharge passage 13 when the upper end 14a is rotated in a tightening direction using a stopper or the like. Reference numeral 16 in the figure denotes a water discharge lid that closes the water discharge port 13a when water is not discharged.

  The fire hydrant 10 with the air valve does not need to install the single air valve 1 independently, so that it is economically effective and functions to maintain the ability of the fire hydrant body 11. That is, when the air mixed in the water pipe rises and enters the tap water introduction path 12 of the fire hydrant body 11, the air is discharged from the air valve 1 through the air valve communication path 15. Accordingly, the air is prevented from accumulating in the tap water introduction passage 12, thereby preventing the occurrence of red rust in the fire hydrant main body 11, and when the on-off valve portion 14 is opened, high-pressure air is intense from the water outlet 13 a. Blowout is prevented. Further, since the intrusion of air containing rainwater and dust is prevented, the occurrence of red rust is further suppressed, and the intense blowout of high-pressure air from the water discharge port 13a is prevented. In addition, when red rust grows, the water discharge capacity decreases, and the rust lump may enter the water discharge pump during fire extinguishing and cause damage.

  As mentioned above, although the air valve which concerns on embodiment of this invention, and the fire hydrant with an air valve were demonstrated, this invention is not restricted to what was described in the above-mentioned embodiment, The range of the matter described in the claim Various design changes are possible. For example, the end block auxiliary body 5 can be integrated with the end cap 6 as shown in FIG. In this case, the hollow portion 51, the side wall 5ab, the second air hole 52, and the like are formed in the end cap 6, and the end cap 6 is pressed against the end block 4 when it is pressed against the cylinder 2 and fixed thereto. The gap between the end cap 6 and the end block 4 is sealed without any gap. Further, the water supply port 21 of the air valve 1 can be provided at any location below the cylinder 2. Further, it is possible in some cases to fix the end cap 6 and the cylinder 2 other than the male screw of the end cap 6 and the female screw of the cylinder 2.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air valve 21 Water supply port of air valve 2 Cylinder 3 Column-shaped float valve 4 End block 41 Air hole 5 End block auxiliary body 51 Hollow part of end block auxiliary body 52 2nd air hole 53 Elastic body 5ab Side wall which forms hollow part 6 End cap 10 Fire hydrant with air valve 11 Fire hydrant body part 12 Tap water introduction path 13 Fire extinguishing water discharge path 13a Water outlet 14 Opening / closing valve part 15 Air valve communication path

Claims (2)

A cylinder connected to the water pipe, and an elongated air hole penetrating in the vertical direction in order to exhaust the air mixed in the water pipe little by little while the tap water is flowing through the water pipe at a normal pressure in the cylinder, An air valve provided with a function of a small amount of exhaust having a float valve that is disposed inside the cylinder and is lifted and lowered by receiving buoyancy from the tap water to close the air hole.
A hollow portion communicating with the air holes, and the second air holes penetrating the side walls forming the hollow portion, with a predetermined elastic force to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall so that rainwater or the like from the outside is prevented from entering adhesion to have a, an elastic member capable of blocking the second air hole, the hollow portion further comprises and an end block auxiliary body that becomes the absence of air passage in addition to the air hole and the second air hole An air valve characterized by A cylinder connected to the water pipe, and an elongated air hole penetrating in the vertical direction in order to exhaust the air mixed in the water pipe little by little while the tap water is flowing through the water pipe at a normal pressure in the cylinder, An air valve provided with a function of a small amount of exhaust having a float valve that is disposed inside the cylinder and is lifted and lowered by receiving buoyancy from the tap water to close the air hole.
A hollow portion communicating with the air holes, and the second air holes penetrating the side walls forming the hollow portion, with a predetermined elastic force to the outer peripheral surface of the side wall so that rainwater or the like from the outside is prevented from entering adhesion to have a, an elastic member capable of blocking the second air hole, the hollow portion is that it further includes an end cap serving as the absence of air passage in addition to the air hole and the second air hole An air valve characterized by.

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