JPH09113335A - Liquid level indicator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure the liquid level by floating a light emitting body on the surface of liquid in a liquid containing section, providing graduations of luminous substance on the window and reading out the height of light emitting body through the window. SOLUTION: A tubular liquid level indicator 1a contains a liquid and communicates, at the lower part thereof, with a container containing a liquid through a communication tube. A thin planar float 7 is floated on the surface of liquid in the liquid level indicator 1a wherein the float 7 and graduations 5a provided on the window 4 are composed of a luminous substance having hue and emission variable with the temperature of liquid. Since the float 7 and graduations 5 emit light, the liquid level can be monitored surely for both transparent and opaque liquids even when the light source is not accessible or the quantity of light is insufficient. Liquid temperature can also be detected based on the light emitting state thereof.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a PLR (Primary
Loop Recirculation System) Liquid level gauges installed in pumps, generator lubricating oil systems, etc.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional liquid level gauge. As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional liquid level gauge 1 is in communication with a container 2 in which a liquid for measuring the liquid level is stored, and a communication pipe 3 provided at the bottom, and the liquid level visible through a window 4 is It is configured to read by the scale 5.

In the figure, 6 is an ordinary lighting device provided in a building or the like, which serves as a light source when the liquid level is viewed through the window 4 and the scale 5.

In general, a liquid level gauge provided in a PLR pump, a generator lubricating oil system, etc. is for confirming that the ΡLR pump, the generator lubricating oil system, etc. are operating normally. The liquid level is checked about once a day.

[0005]

However, in many cases, the level gauge for the PLR pump is located inside the reactor building, and the level gauge for the generator lubricating oil system is located inside the turbine building. Takes time to move. For this reason,
When trying to monitor with a television camera or the like, the light level is often insufficient due to the illumination being blocked by other devices, etc., and the liquid surface is often difficult to see.

That is, in FIG. 5 described above, when the light from the illumination device 6 is blocked or the amount of light is insufficient,
It becomes difficult to see the liquid level or the liquid level gauge 1 itself visually or with a television camera. In particular, when the liquid is transparent, or when the liquid is opaque and approximates the surrounding color, the liquid surface becomes difficult to see.

The present invention has been made in response to such a conventional situation, and can easily and surely set the liquid level regardless of whether the liquid is transparent or opaque even when there is no light source or the amount of light is insufficient. It seeks to provide a level gauge that can be monitored.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
In a liquid level gauge capable of visually observing the liquid level of a liquid in a liquid containing portion through a window, a light emitting body is provided so as to float on the liquid level in the liquid containing portion, and a scale made of a luminescent material is provided in the window. Is provided, and the liquid level of the liquid can be measured by reading the height of the light-emitting body by the scale through the window.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid level gauge according to the first aspect, the illuminant is composed of a thin plate-like float that emits fluorescence.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid level gauge according to the first aspect, the light emitter is a plate-like float that emits fluorescence, and a side surface is provided with a mechanism for indicating a height position of the liquid level. It is characterized by comprising a plate-like float.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid level gauge according to the first aspect, the illuminant is composed of a large number of granular solids that emit fluorescence.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid level gauge according to the first aspect, the illuminant is composed of a liquid substance that emits fluorescence.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid level gauge according to the first aspect, at least one of the light emitter and the scale is made of a substance that emits light by thermal energy of the liquid. To do.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the liquid level gauge according to the first aspect, at least one of the light emitter and the scale is made of a light emitting substance whose hue or amount of light emission changes depending on the temperature of the liquid. It is characterized by that.

In the liquid level gauge of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, since the luminous body is provided so as to float on the liquid surface and the scale made of the luminous substance is arranged in the window, there is no light source or the amount of light is small. Even if it is insufficient, regardless of whether the liquid is transparent or opaque,
It is possible to monitor the liquid level easily and reliably, and it is also possible to monitor with a TV camera.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, the height position of the liquid surface can be accurately measured.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, it becomes possible to emit light by heat of the liquid, and an energy source for emitting light becomes unnecessary.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, not only the liquid level but also the temperature of the liquid can be detected together.
Note that, in general, a substance that emits light by thermal energy changes in color or amount of light emission depending on temperature.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a view for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. A liquid level gauge 1a shown in FIG. 1 has a tubular shape as a whole and is capable of containing a liquid therein. Similar to the liquid level gauge 1 shown in FIG. 5, in the lower part, a communication pipe (not shown) communicates with a container (not shown) containing a liquid.

Further, in the liquid level gauge 1a, a thin plate-shaped float 7 is arranged so as to float on the liquid surface. The thin plate-shaped float 7 and the scale 5a provided on the window 4 are liquid. It is composed of a luminescent substance whose luminescent color or luminescence amount changes depending on the temperature.

In the liquid level gauge 1a thus constructed, the float 7 and the scale 5a emit light. Therefore, even if there is no light source or the amount of light is insufficient, the liquid can be easily and irrespective of whether the liquid is transparent or opaque. The liquid level can be reliably monitored. Further, the temperature of the liquid can be detected by the light emitting state.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of another float (a float made of a fluorescent material upper colored opaque material) 8 used in place of the above-mentioned float 7. The float 8 shown in the figure has an upper portion 8a colored with a fluorescent substance, and a boundary line 8c with the uncolored lower portion 8b is configured to coincide with the liquid surface.

That is, when the specific gravity of the float 8 with respect to the liquid is 1 / X, the height of the fluorescent substance colored portion: the height of the fluorescent substance uncolored portion =
By setting (Χ-1): 1, the boundary line 8c of the two parts, that is, the lowermost surface of the shining part of the float 8 is configured to be an accurate position of the liquid surface of the liquid to be measured. ing.

FIG. 3 shows a structure of a liquid level gauge 1b using a granular solid (beads) 9 made of a fluorescent substance instead of the floats 7 and 8 described above, and FIG.
The configuration of a liquid level gauge 1c using a liquid material 10 made of a fluorescent substance instead of 8 is shown. In addition, these liquid level gauges 1b,
In the liquid level gauge 1c, the scales 5b and 5c provided on the window 4 are made of a fluorescent substance.

As described above, the granular solid 9 made of a fluorescent material,
Even in the liquid level gauges 1b and 1c using the liquid material 10 made of a fluorescent substance, similar to the above-described liquid level gauge 1a, even if there is no light source or the light amount is insufficient, regardless of whether the liquid is transparent or opaque, The liquid level can be easily and reliably monitored.

[0027]

As described above, according to the liquid level indicator of the present invention, the liquid level can be easily and reliably irrespective of whether the liquid is transparent or opaque even when there is no light source or the amount of light is insufficient. Can be monitored, and the liquid level can be monitored by a TV camera.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an embodiment of a liquid level gauge of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a conventional liquid level gauge.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a ... Level gauge 4 ... Window 5a ... Scale 7 ... Thin plate float

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A liquid level gauge capable of visually observing a liquid level of a liquid in a liquid containing portion through a window, wherein a light emitting body is provided so as to float on the liquid level in the liquid containing portion, and the window is provided with: A scale made of luminescent material is arranged,
A liquid level gauge, characterized in that the liquid level of the liquid can be measured by reading the height of the light emitter with the scale through the window. 2. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is composed of a thin plate-like float that emits fluorescence. 3. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a plate-like float that emits fluorescence, and the plate-like float is provided with a mechanism for indicating a height position of the liquid surface on a side surface. Liquid level gauge characterized by 4. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is composed of a large number of granular solids that emit fluorescence. 5. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is made of a liquid substance that emits fluorescence. 6. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light emitter and the scale is made of a substance that emits light by thermal energy of the liquid. 7. The liquid level gauge according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the light emitter and the scale is made of a light emitting substance whose hue or amount of light emission changes depending on the temperature of the liquid. Liquid level indicator.