JP7220405B2 - Fluid control system and fluid control method - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fluid control system and a fluid control method, and more particularly to a fluid control system and the like for controlling fluid.

In Patent Document 1, a plurality of pumps are connected in parallel, a control device controls these pumps, and when the first pump is abnormal, the second pump is started and operated, and the first pump is operated. stated to be stopped.

JP 2010-25119 A

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to make the backup pump ready for use from a stopped state or the like. Furthermore, in the event of a disaster, for example, both the original pump and the backup pump are in the same environment, so there is a risk that these pumps will become unusable at the same time.

Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the original pump is stopped in order to control the backup pump in the same manner as the original pump. However, in times of disaster, the use of the original pump can be of considerable help, if inadequate. The prior art does not use the original pump, which could be exploited, to stop the original pump. Furthermore, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the control device commonly controls a plurality of pumps. If the control device becomes abnormal, it becomes impossible to take measures against the abnormality of the pump.

Thus, the technique described in Patent Document 1 cannot be said to be a sufficient countermeasure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid control system and the like suitable for continuously controlling fluid even when an abnormality is detected.

A first aspect of the present invention is a fluid control system for controlling a fluid, the fluid control system comprising a first pump, a first load section, a first fluid control device, a second pump, a second a second load section and a second fluid control device, wherein the pressure at which the second pump supplies fluid is higher than the pressure at which the first pump supplies fluid, and the first fluid control device controls the first control and a first determination unit, wherein the second fluid control device includes a second control unit and a second determination unit, and the first determination unit determines whether the flow of the fluid supplied from the first pump is The second determination unit determines whether the flow of fluid supplied from the second pump is normal, and the first control unit determines whether the second determination unit is normal. Even if it is determined to be present or not normal, the fluid supplied from the first pump is supplied to the first load section without being supplied to the second load section, and the second control section supplies the fluid supplied from the second pump to the second load section without supplying it to the first load section if the first determination section determines that the first determination section is normal; If the judging section judges that it is not normal, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the first load section and the second load section.

A second aspect of the present invention is the fluid control system according to the first aspect, wherein the first fluid control device further includes a first sensor obtained by measuring the fluid supplied from the first pump. A first collection unit that collects values and a first communication unit that performs inter-device communication with the second fluid control device, and the second fluid control device is further supplied from the second pump. A second collection unit that collects second sensor values obtained by measuring the fluid, and if the first determination unit determines that the first determination unit is normal, the first communication unit collects the first sensor values. Without transmitting to the second fluid control device, the first control unit uses the first sensor value to change the fluid supplied from the first pump to the second load unit without supplying the fluid to the second load unit. The second control unit controls the supply of the fluid to the first load unit, and the second control unit uses the second sensor value to control the fluid supplied from the second pump to the second load unit without supplying the fluid to the first load unit. When it is determined that the first determination unit is not normal, the first communication unit transmits the first sensor value to the second fluid control device, and performs the first control. The unit uses the first sensor value to perform control to supply the fluid supplied from the first pump, and the second control unit uses the first sensor value and the second sensor value to The fluid supplied from the second pump is controlled to be supplied to the first load section and the second load section.

A third aspect of the present invention is the fluid control system according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first fluid control device further performs inter-device communication with the second fluid control device. 1 communication unit, the second fluid control device further includes a second determination unit, the first communication unit periodically transmits survival information to the second fluid control device, The 2 determination unit determines whether the first control unit is operating when survival information cannot be received from the first communication unit, and the second control unit determines whether the second determination unit is in operation. 1 If it is determined that the control unit is operating, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the second load unit without being supplied to the first load unit, and the second determination unit If it is determined that the first control section is not operating, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the first load section and the second load section.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a fluid control method in a fluid control system for controlling fluid, wherein the fluid control system includes a first pump, a first load section, a first fluid control device, a second A pump, a second load section, and a second fluid control device, wherein the pressure at which the second pump supplies fluid is higher than the pressure at which the first pump supplies fluid, and the first fluid control device comprises , a first control unit and a first determination unit, the second fluid control device includes a second control unit and a second determination unit, and the first determination unit is supplied from the first pump determining whether or not the flow of fluid is normal, the second determination unit determining whether or not the flow of fluid supplied from the second pump is normal, and the first control unit performing the second determination; The fluid supplied from the first pump is supplied to the first load section without being supplied to the second load section, regardless of whether the load section is determined to be normal or not to be normal, and If the second control section determines that the first determination section is normal, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the second load section without being supplied to the first load section. and supplying the fluid supplied from the second pump to the first load section and the second load section if the first determination section determines that it is not normal.

According to each aspect of the present invention, a plurality of pumps having different pressures are used, and each pump is used independently in a state where no abnormality is detected (normal state), and when an abnormality is detected in a certain pump , backed up by utilizing fluid supplied by a higher pressure pump. At this time, in order to utilize a pump with a higher pressure than the pump in which the abnormality was detected, the pump in which the abnormality was detected continues to supply fluid to the load section, and the backup pump is controlled to compensate for this. be able to.

Furthermore, in the invention described in Patent Document 1, since the control device commonly controls a plurality of pumps, if the control device becomes abnormal, the pumps cannot be controlled. According to the present invention, countermeasures against anomalies can be distributed by using inter-device communication.

Furthermore, since the order of backup is determined by the pressure of the pump, if the safety of the flow path of the fluid supplied from the higher pressure pump is secured, the fluid supply to the load section can be secured even in the event of an abnormality. can.

It is a block diagram showing an example of composition of a fluid control system concerning an embodiment of the invention in this application. 2 is a diagram for explaining valve control in the fluid control system 1 of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the fluid control system 1 of FIG. 1;

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, embodiment of this invention is not limited to the following examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a fluid control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the configuration of a fluid control system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The fluid control system 1 includes a first pump 3 (an example of the "first pump" in the claims of the present application), a first fluid control device 5 (an example of the "first fluid control device" in the claims of the present application), a first The load section 7 (an example of the "first load section" in the claims of the present application), the second pump 9 (an example of the "second pump" in the claims of the present application), and the second fluid control device 11 (the " an example of a "second fluid control device") and a second load section 13 (an example of a "second load section" in the claims of the present application).

The first pump 3 and the second pump 9 supply fluid (eg water). The pressure at which the second pump 9 supplies fluid is higher than the pressure at which the first pump 3 supplies fluid.

The fluid control system 1 comprises a first input sensor 21 and a first output sensor 23 . The first input sensor 21 and the first output sensor 23 are external sensors of the first fluid control device 5, such as pressure sensors and flow sensors. A first input sensor 21 measures the fluid supplied from the first pump 3 to obtain a first input sensor value. The first output sensor 23 measures the fluid supplied from the first pump 3 and controlled by the first controller 37 to obtain a first output sensor value. A combination of the first input sensor value and the first output sensor value is called a "first sensor value" (an example of the "first sensor value" in the claims of the present application).

The first fluid control device 5 is, for example, a motor-operated valve, and controls by directly taking in sensor signals from external sensors, or performing inter-device communication with other adjacent motor-operated valves based on the sensor signals. be able to. The first fluid control device 5 includes a first collection unit 31 (an example of the “first collection unit” in the claims of the present application), a first determination unit 33 (an example of the “first determination unit” in the claims of the present application), A first communication unit 35 (an example of a "first communication unit" in the claims of the present application) and a first control unit 37 (an example of the "first control unit" in the claims of the present application) are provided.

The first collection unit 31 collects first sensor values. The first determination unit 33 determines whether the first sensor value is normal. Whether or not it is normal is determined by, for example, whether or not each sensor value such as pressure is within a predetermined normal value range. The first communication unit 35 performs inter-device communication with the second fluid control device 11 . The first controller 37 controls the fluid supplied from the first pump 3 using the first sensor value.

The fluid control system 1 comprises a second input sensor 25 and a second output sensor 27 . The second input sensor 25 and the second output sensor 27 are external sensors of the second fluid control device 11, such as pressure sensors and flow sensors. A second input sensor 25 measures the fluid supplied from the second pump 9 to obtain a second input sensor value. The second output sensor 27 measures the fluid supplied from the second pump 9 and controlled by the second controller 47 to obtain a second output sensor value. A combination of the second input sensor value and the second output sensor value is called a "second sensor value" (an example of a "second sensor value" in claims of the present application).

The second fluid control device 11 is, for example, a motor-operated valve, and controls by directly taking in the sensor signal of an external sensor or performing inter-device communication with other adjacent motor-operated valves based on the sensor signal. be able to. The second fluid control device 11 includes a second collection unit 41 (an example of a “second collection unit” in the claims of the present application), a second determination unit 43, a second communication unit 45, and a second control unit 47 ( An example of the "second control unit" in the claims).

The second collecting unit 41 collects second sensor values. The second determination unit 43 determines whether or not the first sensor value is normal. The second communication unit 45 performs inter-device communication with the first fluid control device 5 . The second controller 47 controls the fluid supplied from the second pump 9 using at least the second sensor value.

The fluid control system 1 comprises a first valve 28 and a second valve 29 . FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining valve control in the fluid control system 1 of FIG. Valve control will be described with reference to FIG.

The first valve 28 is present in the flow path through which the liquid supplied from the second pump 9 and passed through the second fluid control device 11 reaches the first load section 7 . The second valve 29 is present in the flow path through which the liquid supplied from the first pump 3 and passed through the first fluid control device 5 reaches the first load section 7 . When the second valve 29 is open, the liquid supplied from the second pump 9 and passed through the second fluid control device 11 and the first valve 28 is not in the flow path leading to the first load section 7 .

Referring to FIG. 2(a), when the first valve 28 is closed and the second valve 29 is open, the liquid supplied from the first pump 3 flows through the first fluid control device 5 and the second valve. 29 to reach the first load section 7 . The liquid supplied from the second pump 9 reaches the second load section 13 via the second fluid control device 11 .

Referring to FIG. 2B, when the first valve 28 and the second valve 29 are open, the liquid supplied from the first pump 3 flows through the first fluid control device 5 and the second valve 29. It reaches the 1st load part 7 via. The liquid supplied from the second pump 9 reaches the second load section 13 via the second fluid control device 11, and the first load section 7 via the second fluid control device 11 and the first valve 28. reach. Even when the first valve 28 and the second valve 29 are open, since the pressure of the first pump 3 is lower than the pressure of the second pump 9, in principle, the fluid is supplied from the first pump 3 to the first fluid control device 5. is not supplied to the second load section 13 .

Whether the second determination unit 43 determines that the second sensor value is normal or not, the first control unit 37 controls the flow of the fluid supplied from the first pump 3 to the second load unit. 13 is not supplied, but the first load section 7 is supplied. When the second determination unit 43 determines that the second sensor value is not normal, the second control unit 47 may notify the administrator of the fluid control system 1 to that effect.

Referring to FIG. 2(c), when the first valve 28 is open and the second valve 29 is closed, the liquid supplied from the first pump 3 is not supplied to the first load section 7. As shown in FIG. The liquid supplied from the second pump 9 reaches the second load section 13 via the second fluid control device 11, and the first load section 7 via the second fluid control device 11 and the first valve 28. reach. Since the second valve 29 is closed, the liquid supplied from the second pump 9 does not flow back to the first fluid control device 5 .

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of the operation of the fluid control system 1 of FIG. An example of a specific operation of the fluid control system 1 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) relate to processing in a state where the second fluid control device 11 confirms that the first fluid control device 5 continues to operate.

Referring to FIG. 3(a), when the process is started, the first valve 28 is closed and the second valve 29 is open (see FIG. 2(a)). The fluid supplied from the first pump 3 reaches the first load section 7 via the first fluid control device 5 and the second valve 29 .

The first collection unit 31 collects first sensor values (step STA1). The first control unit 37 uses the first sensor value to control the fluid supplied from the first pump 3 and supplies the fluid to the first load unit 7 (step STA2). The first determination unit 33 determines whether or not the first sensor value is normal (step STA3).

If the first determination unit 33 determines that the system is normal, the process returns to step STA1. In this case, the first communication section 35 does not transmit the first sensor value to the second fluid control device 11 .

If the first determination unit 33 determines that the first determination unit 33 is not normal, the first communication unit 35 notifies the second fluid control device 11 of the determination that the first determination unit 33 is not normal through inter-device communication. (Step STA4). Then, the first sensor value is transmitted (step STA5). Then, the process returns to step STA1.

Referring to FIG. 3(b), when the process is started, the first valve 28 is closed and the second valve 29 is open (see FIG. 2(a)). The fluid supplied from the second pump 9 reaches the second load section 13 via the second fluid control device 11 . Since the first valve 28 is closed, the fluid supplied from the second pump 9 does not reach the first load section 7 .

The second collection unit 41 collects second sensor values (step STB1). The second determination unit 43 determines whether or not the second communication unit 45 has received a notification from the first communication unit 35 indicating that the first determination unit 33 is not normal (step STB2). If not, the second control unit 47 closes the first valve 28 and opens the second valve 29 (step STB3). Then, the second control unit 47 uses the second sensor value to control the fluid supplied from the second pump 9, and supplies the fluid to the second load unit 13 side (step STB4). Then, the process returns to step STB1.

Upon receiving the command, the second control unit 47 opens the first valve 28 and opens the second valve 29 (step STB5) (see FIG. 2(b)). The second communication unit 45 receives the first sensor value from the first communication unit 35 through inter-device communication (step STB6). The second control unit 47 controls the fluid supplied from the second pump 9 using the first sensor value and the second sensor value, and supplies the fluid to the first load unit 7 and the second load unit 13 ( Step STB7). Then, the process returns to step STB1.

Thus, for example, when it is necessary to urgently supply water to the first load section 7 due to a fire or disaster, if the first sensor value grasped by the first fluid control device 5 is normal, Fluid is supplied to the first load section 7 under the control of the first fluid control device 5 , and the liquid supplied by the second pump 9 is reserved for other purposes, and the first fluid control device 5 grasps the first load portion 7 . If the sensor value is not normal, the liquid supplied by the second pump 9 is supplied by the second fluid control device 11 while supplying the fluid to the first load section 7 under the control of the first fluid control device 5 (see step STB7). Sufficient liquid can be supplied to the first load section 7 by supplementary supply.

FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d) relate to processing when the second fluid control device 11 cannot confirm that the first fluid control device 5 continues to operate.

Referring to FIG. 3(c), first communication unit 35 periodically transmits survival information to second fluid control device 11 (step STC1).

Referring to FIG. 3(d), the second determination unit 43 determines whether or not the second communication unit 45 has not received survival information for a certain period of time or longer (step STD1). If it has been received, the process of step STD1 is repeated.

If not, the second determination unit 43 determines whether or not the first fluid control device 5 is in operation (step STD2). For example, if a communication failure simply occurs and survival information cannot be received, it can be determined that the first fluid control device 5 is operating. Also, if communication with other devices is possible but communication with the first fluid control device 5 is not possible, it can be determined that the first fluid control device 5 is not operating.

If it is determined that the first fluid control device 5 is operating, the second control unit 47 closes the first valve 28 and opens the second valve 29 (FIG. 2(a)). reference). The liquid supplied from the first pump 3 is supplied to the first load section 7, and the liquid supplied from the second pump 9 is supplied to the second load section 13 (step STD3). Return to step STD1.

If it is determined that the first fluid control device 5 is not operating, the second control unit 47 opens the first valve 28 and closes the second valve 29 (FIG. 2(c)). reference). The liquid supplied from the second pump 9 is supplied to the first load section 7 and the second load section 13, and the liquid supplied from the second pump 9 is prevented from flowing back to the first pump 3 side (step STD4). . Return to step STD1.

In addition, in the present invention, there may be three or more pumps having different pressures. In that case, for example, if the sensor value is determined to be abnormal, the fluid control device that controls the liquid supplied from the pump with the lowest pressure is confirmed to be alive and is supplied from the pump with the next highest pressure. The fluid control device may be requested to support liquid supply through inter-equipment communication.

According to the present invention, a plurality of pumps with different pressures are used, and each pump is used independently when no abnormality is detected (normal state), and when an abnormality is detected in a certain pump, the pressure is higher. It backs up using fluid supplied from a pressure pump. At this time, in order to utilize a pump with a higher pressure than the pump in which the abnormality was detected, the pump in which the abnormality was detected continues to supply fluid to the load section, and the backup pump is controlled to compensate for this. be able to.

Furthermore, by using inter-device communication, even if an abnormality occurs in a part of the control devices, the system as a whole can take measures against the abnormality.

Furthermore, since the order of backup is determined by the pressure of the pump, if the safety of the flow path of the fluid supplied from the higher pressure pump is secured, the fluid supply to the load can be secured even in the event of an abnormality. .

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 fluid control system 3 first pump 5 first fluid control device 7 first load section 9 second pump 11 second fluid control device 13 second load section 21 first input sensor 23 first first input sensor output sensor 25 second input sensor 27 second output sensor 28 first valve 29 second valve 31 first collection unit 33 first determination unit 35 first communication unit 37 first control unit 41 second collection unit 43 second determination unit 45 second communication unit 47 second control unit

Claims (4)

A fluid control system for controlling fluid,
The fluid control system includes:
a first pump, a first load section, a first fluid control device;
comprising a second pump, a second load section, and a second fluid control device;
the pressure at which the second pump supplies fluid is higher than the pressure at which the first pump supplies fluid;
The first fluid control device includes a first control section and a first determination section,
The second fluid control device includes a second control unit,
The first determination unit determines whether the flow of fluid supplied from the first pump is normal,
The first control unit supplies the fluid supplied from the first pump to the first load unit without supplying the fluid to the second load unit;
The second control unit is
if the first determination unit determines that the fluid is normal, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the second load unit without being supplied to the first load unit;
A fluid control system that supplies the fluid supplied from the second pump to the first load section and the second load section if the first determination section determines that it is not normal. The first fluid control device further includes:
a first collection unit that collects a first sensor value obtained by measuring the fluid supplied from the first pump;
A first communication unit that performs inter-device communication with the second fluid control device,
The second fluid control device further
A second collection unit that collects a second sensor value obtained by measuring the fluid supplied from the second pump,
The first determination unit
determining that the flow of fluid supplied from the first pump is normal if the first sensor value is normal;
determining that the flow of fluid supplied from the first pump is not normal if the first sensor value is not normal;
The first control unit supplies the fluid supplied from the first pump to the first load unit without supplying the fluid to the second load unit;
If the first determination unit determines that it is normal,
The first communication unit does not transmit the first sensor value to the second fluid control device,
The first control unit uses the first sensor value to control the supply of the fluid supplied from the first pump to the first load unit without supplying the fluid to the second load unit;
The second control unit uses the second sensor value to control the supply of the fluid supplied from the second pump to the second load unit without supplying the fluid to the first load unit,
If the first determination unit determines that it is not normal,
The first communication unit transmits the first sensor value to the second fluid control device,
The first control unit uses the first sensor value to control the supply of the fluid supplied from the first pump,
The second control section uses the first sensor value and the second sensor value to control the supply of the fluid supplied from the second pump to the first load section and the second load section. 2. The fluid control system of claim 1. The first fluid control device further includes a first communication unit that performs inter-device communication with the second fluid control device,
The second fluid control device further includes a second determination unit,
The first communication unit periodically transmits survival information to the second fluid control device,
The second determination unit determines whether or not the first control unit is operating when survival information cannot be received from the first communication unit,
The second control unit is
If the second determination unit determines that the first control unit is operating, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the second load unit without being supplied to the first load unit. death,
3. The fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the first load section and the second load section when the second determination section determines that the first control section is not operating. 3. The fluid control system according to 1 or 2. A fluid control method in a fluid control system that controls fluid,
The fluid control system includes:
a first pump, a first load section, a first fluid control device;
comprising a second pump, a second load section, and a second fluid control device;
the pressure at which the second pump supplies fluid is higher than the pressure at which the first pump supplies fluid;
The first fluid control device includes a first control section and a first determination section,
The second fluid control device includes a second control unit,
The first determination unit determines whether the flow of fluid supplied from the first pump is normal,
the first control unit supplies the fluid supplied from the first pump to the first load unit without supplying the fluid to the second load unit;
The second control unit is
if the first determination unit determines that the fluid is normal, the fluid supplied from the second pump is supplied to the second load unit without being supplied to the first load unit;
A fluid control method comprising the step of supplying the fluid supplied from the second pump to the first load section and the second load section if the first determination section determines that the fluid is not normal.

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