JPH0915026A - Device for detecting remaining quantity of kerosene and mixed water - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To detect remaining quantity of kerosene in a kerosene tank and mixed water mixture, and drain the mixed water by disposing a detector through an existent drain hole in the kerosene tank. CONSTITUTION: The specific gravity of the whole of a water detection float 11 having a magnet 12 is set to between specific gravity of kerosene and that of water, for instance, about 0.9, that of the whole of a remaining kerosine detection float 15 having another magnet 16 is about 0.7, smaller than about 0.8 of the specific gravity of kerosene. In this state, when kerosene in a tank 50 decreases, the remaining kerosine detection float 15 is lowered in response to lowering of liquid level of kerosene, the magnet 16 comes near to a reed switch 18 in a guide pipe 3, the reed switch 18 is turned on, and a signal showing a remaining quantity of kerosene is little, is transmitted. When water is mixed in the tank, the water detection float 11 ascends by water stayed on the bottom face 50a of the tank, another reed switch 14 is turned on, and a signal is transmitted. In addition, if water mixture is known by the signal, a valve is opened through a handle 10 of a water drain cock 5 and the mixed water is drained out of the tank.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus capable of detecting the amount of a liquid filled in a container and detecting the mixing of other liquids in the liquid and discharging the mixed liquid. In particular, the present invention relates to a device that detects a reduction state of kerosene filled in an outdoor-installed tank and enables detection and discharge of water mixed in kerosene.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Gas and electricity are also used as heating energy mainly in winter, but kerosene, which is cheaper in operating cost than these, is widely used, especially for heating. In cold regions where a large amount of energy is consumed, heating devices using kerosene are widely used. Most kerosene-burning type heating systems used in warm regions have a built-in kerosene tank, but kerosene-burning type heating systems in cold regions, which require higher combustion energy, require large outdoor units. Installed the kerosene tank of
In most cases, kerosene is supplied to the indoor heating system via piping.

[0003]

In the case of an outdoor type tank, there is an advantage that a large size can be installed because there are few restrictions on the installation space, but on the other hand, there are the following problems, and its solution is desired. ing.

First, it is necessary to detect the remaining amount of kerosene in the tank in order to prevent sudden stoppage of the operation of the heating device due to running out of kerosene. Regarding this point, a transparent part is formed in a part of the tank so that you can visually check the kerosene liquid level in the tank and check the remaining amount of kerosene. There is the inconvenience that you have to go out one by one in the cold outdoors with snow to check.

Next, in the outdoor type tank, when filling kerosene, there is a high possibility that some of the snow accumulated near the filling hole will mix in, or some of water droplets will mix in. It is virtually impossible to completely prevent the contamination of this water. Since water has a larger specific gravity than kerosene, the mixed water will be collected at the bottom of the tank.

FIG. 4 shows an outdoor type kerosene tank, and a kerosene intake port 52 to which a kerosene supply pipe 51 is connected is formed at the bottom of the tank 50. If the mixed water is sent to the combustion device, it causes inconvenience such as abnormal combustion of the combustion device or stop of combustion. Therefore, the kerosene intake port 52
Is a predetermined height h (usually 40 ~
It is arranged so that it stands up with about 50 mm),
It is configured to prevent moisture and dust accumulated at the bottom of the tank from being immediately supplied to the combustion device. Further, the water or dust collected at the bottom of the tank is appropriately drained from a separately provided drain port 53. Therefore, the opening in the tank of the water drain port 53 is located at the same height as the bottom surface of the tank, and is not located inside the tank like the kerosene intake port 52.

Several types of devices for detecting the remaining amount of kerosene and detecting water contamination have been proposed for outdoor type tanks.
For example, when the amount of kerosene in the tank reaches a predetermined value, an alarm is provided by a combustion device or an alarm device installed indoors separately from the combustion device, or a prerecorded recording device that indicates a decrease in the remaining amount is activated. There is provided a device for notifying a decrease in the remaining amount in the tank by a transmission means such as. For example, as a device for detecting a decrease in the remaining amount, the pressure of kerosene in the tank (corresponding to the water pressure in the case of water) is detected, and the hydraulic pressure that decreases with the decrease in the remaining amount of kerosene reaches a preset value. Configured to give the above-mentioned alarm when the temperature drops,
Alternatively, it has been proposed to use a float and electrically detect a displacement of the float due to a decrease in the remaining amount of kerosene to issue an alarm or the like.

Next, as a device for detecting the mixture of water, a float having an intermediate specific gravity of water and kerosene (for example, a specific gravity of about 0.9) is enclosed in a container, and the mixture of water is detected in the ascending / descending state of the float. Things are provided. When the inside of the container is only kerosene, the float has a larger specific gravity, so that the float is at the bottom of the container, and the inflow of water causes the float to rise due to the water having a large specific gravity. Therefore, whether the water is mixed or not can be detected more easily by raising and lowering the float.

Since any of the above-mentioned devices for detecting the remaining amount of oil, the detection of mixed water, or both of them has a structure for introducing kerosene or mixed water into the device, it is particularly mixed in the tank. If dust, such as sand, flows into the device, it may cause malfunction or failure of the device. Therefore, if these detectors are installed in the kerosene intake port 52 having a rising portion, foreign matters such as dust are less likely to flow into the device, and the reliability of the device is enhanced. Connected.

Although the above connection method is suitable from the viewpoint of increasing the reliability of the detection device, for example, in the detection of mixed water, the water retained at the bottom of the tank must be at a height h or higher of the kerosene intake port 52. The mixed water does not flow into the detection device, which delays the detection of the mixed water. In addition,
A liquid reservoir is formed in the detection device, and the mixed water in the device can be dealt with by sounding a mixed water alarm or automatically shutting off the fuel supply valve before being sent to the combustion device. The immediate supply to the combustion device is virtually avoided. However, it is a problem that the detection device does not operate until such a relatively large amount of mixed water stays, and depending on the diameter of the kerosene intake port 52, the accumulated water is taken in due to the surface tension of the kerosene filled in the intake port. It may not flow into the mouth and it may be impossible to detect the mixed water. In such a case, if the water level of the mixed water further rises, a large amount of the mixed water that has accumulated due to some beat will flow into the device at once, overcoming the surface tension, and an alarm will be generated and the supply valve will be automatically shut off. There will be cases where it will not be in time.

[0011]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an apparatus for detecting the remaining amount of a filling liquid such as kerosene filled in a tank and a mixed liquid such as water mixed in the filling liquid in a tank. A first detection means that is arranged and that detects the mixed liquid;
Above the first detecting means, there is provided a second detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the filling liquid, and these first and second detecting means are formed integrally with the main body having the discharging means for the mixed liquid. In the kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detecting device, the main body is arranged at the drain port of the tank so that the first and second detecting means are located in the tank. It is characterized by being.

[0012]

When the filling liquid is kerosene and the mixed liquid is water, the float having the magnet forming a part of the first detection means floats up due to the mixed water, and the magnet comes close to the reed switch and Sends a signal to detect mixed water. Also, when the liquid level of kerosene drops, the float, which has a smaller specific gravity than kerosene, descends as the liquid level drops, and as in the case of the float, the magnet of the float approaches another reed switch and issues a signal, so that the remaining amount of kerosene It detects that there is little.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, an arrow 1 indicates an apparatus for detecting a kerosene remaining amount and mixed water according to the present invention. The apparatus is a bottom plate portion 50 of a kerosene tank (hereinafter simply referred to as "tank") 50.
It is configured to be attached to the tank 50 by being screwed into a socket 53a of a water draining port 53 which is formed in the same plane as a. The configuration of this device will be described below.

Reference numeral 2 is a base portion which constitutes the main body of the apparatus, and an upper portion thereof is formed with a male screw portion 2a so as to be screwed with the nut 53, and the base portion is formed in a hollow axial direction. Reference numeral 3 denotes a guide pipe which is vertically arranged substantially coaxially with the hollow portion of the base portion 2 such that the lower portion thereof is located in the hollow portion. The top portion of the guide pipe 3 is closed so that the fluid in the tank such as kerosene does not enter the inside even when the guide pipe 3 is arranged in the tank 50.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a fixing bolt, which is screwed with the base portion 2 at the lower portion of the hollow portion of the base portion 2 and which has the same fixing bolt 4
The guide pipe 3 is configured to be inserted through the center of the guide pipe 3 so that the guide pipe 3 is maintained in an upright state.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a water drain cock provided in the base body 2, and a passage 6 formed in the cock body 5a has a main body side passage 7 side formed between the base body 2 and the guide pipe 3. It communicates with the opening. A water drain passage 8 is provided in the water drain cock body 5a, and the water drain passage 8 is opened and closed by operating a handle 10 provided in the cock body 5a between the passage 6 of the cock body 5a and the water drain passage 8. A valve (not shown) is provided.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a float (hereinafter referred to as "water detection float") which constitutes a part of the first detection means for detecting the mixed water mixed in the tank 50.
As shown in FIG. 2, the guide pipe 3 is formed in a ring shape so that the guide pipe 3 is inserted in the center thereof.
It is possible to move up and down along. Reference numeral 12 is a ring-shaped magnet attached to the water detection float 11, and the specific gravity of the entire water detection float including this magnet is 1 or less and is larger than the specific gravity of kerosene (about 0.8). For example, the specific gravity is about 0.9.

Reference numeral 13a denotes an upper stopper fixed to the guide pipe 3, 13b denotes a lower stopper fixed to the guide pipe 3, and the water detecting float 11 is guided between the upper and lower stoppers 13a and 13b. It can be moved up and down along the pipe 3. 14 is a guide pipe 3
A reed switch disposed within the float 11
Together with this, it constitutes the first detection means, and is arranged at a position where the water detection float 11 rises and comes into contact with the upper stopper 13a and is operated by the magnetic field of the magnet 12. That is, the upper and lower stoppers 13a and 13b are fixed to the guide pipe 3 so that the water detecting float 11 is arranged at a position where the mixed water is desired to be detected.

Numeral 15 is a float (hereinafter referred to as "residual oil detection float") forming a part of second detection means for detecting the remaining amount of kerosene having the same structure as the water detection float 11.
Therefore, the specific gravity of the whole including the ring-shaped magnet 16 is set to, for example, 0.7, and is set to be smaller than about 0.8 which is the specific gravity of the kerosene. Also 17a,
Reference numeral 17b denotes upper and lower stoppers arranged and fixed above and below the residual oil detecting float 15 like the stoppers 13a and 13b. Reference numeral 18 is a reed switch having the same configuration as the reed switch 14. Unlike the reed switch 14, the reed switch 18 is arranged at a position where the residual oil detection float 15 descends and comes into contact with the lower stopper 17b, and at a position where it is operated by the magnetic field of the magnet 16.

The above kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detecting device is attached to the existing drain port 53 of the tank 50.
That is, the drain port 53 is always closed by the bolt that is screwed into the socket 53a, but the bolt is removed to remove the residual oil detection float 15
The guide pipe 3 is inserted into the tank 50 with the side up and the male screw portion 2a of the base portion 2 is used to connect the base portion 2 to the socket 5.
The whole device is attached to the drain port 53 of the tank 50 by being screwed into 3a. The other end of the cord 9 of each of the reed switches 14 and 18 extending from the lower part of the device is connected to a monitoring device described later. The valve of the water drain cock 5 is naturally closed when the device is attached.

When the apparatus is attached to the tank 50 as described above, the tank 50 is filled with kerosene. As a result, in FIG. 1, since the residual oil detection float 15 has a specific gravity smaller than that of kerosene, it attempts to float, and the upper stopper 17
The upper part of the float is locked to a, the distance between the magnet 16 and the reed switch 18 in the guide pipe 3 is increased, and the reed switch 18 is set to off. On the other hand, since the specific gravity of the water detection float 11 is larger than the specific gravity of kerosene, the water detection float 11 does not float even when it is filled with kerosene, and the lower end of the water detection float 11 is kept locked by the lower stopper 13b. 12 and the reed switch 14 are separated from each other, and like the reed switch 18, the reed switch 14 is also off.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a method of using the above-mentioned device for detecting the remaining amount of kerosene and the mixed water.

The kerosene in the tank 50 is a kerosene intake port 52.
The oil is supplied to the kerosene combustion devices 31a, 31b, 31c such as indoor heating devices via the kerosene supply pipe 51 connected to. Reference numeral 32 is a strainer provided in the kerosene supply pipe 30, and 33 is an electromagnetic valve also provided in the pipe 30.

Reference numeral 34 is a control device for issuing various command signals based on the signal from the kerosene remaining amount and the mixed water detection device 1, and 35.
Is an alarm device connected to the control device 34. In this structure, when the tank 50 is sufficiently filled with kerosene and there is no mixed water, the water detection float 11
Since the residual oil detection float 15 and the residual oil detection float 15 are not displaced from the predetermined positions, the kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device 1 does not emit any signal, and the combustion devices 31a to 31c are operated appropriately.

Next, when the remaining amount of kerosene reaches a preset amount, the residual oil detecting float 15 shown in FIG. 1 descends as the residual oil level in the tank descends, and the magnet 16 and the reed switch 18 come close to each other. The reed switch 18 is turned on by the magnetic force of the magnet 16, and the kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device 1 emits a signal. Based on this signal, the control device activates the alarm device 35 to warn that the amount of kerosene in the tank 50 has decreased.

The height of the residual oil detecting float 15 in the guide pipe 3 is set such that the device operates when the remaining amount of kerosene becomes ⅕ of the tank capacity. It is desirable to prevent the situation in which the combustion devices 31a to 31c are stopped due to running out of fuel in a short time after the alarm device 35 is activated. Therefore, the alarm device 35 also turns on the alarm lamp or uses a pre-recorded audio tape, for example, "The amount of kerosene in the tank has reached 1/5. Fill kerosene early." It is advisable to specifically inform that the remaining amount of kerosene has decreased by a real voice such as ".

On the other hand, if water is mixed in the tank 50, the specific gravity of the water is larger than that of kerosene, so that the water stays in the tank bottom 50a. Since the water detection float 11 is smaller than the specific gravity of water, it rises corresponding to the water level of this mixed water, and the reed switch 14 is turned on when the magnet 12 approaches the reed switch 14. In addition, water detection float 1
1, the reed switch 14 is turned on even if a relatively small amount of mixed water is provided if it is arranged so as to have a height close to the bottom 50a of the tank 50 as shown in FIG. Because kerosene is taken out from the intake port 52 side having a rising portion,
There is no chance that mixed water will enter the combustion device.

When the reed switch 14 is turned on, the control device 34 performs the following control, for example. That is, the controller 3 which receives the signals from the kerosene remaining amount and the mixed water detector 1
Reference numeral 4 activates the alarm device 35 to warn of water mixture, and activates the electromagnetic valve 33 to close the valve 33 to automatically stop the supply of kerosene. In this case, if the solenoid valve 33 is operated at the same time as the alarm is issued, the combustion devices 31a to 31c are also stopped, which is not appropriate. Therefore, using the prerecorded audio tape as in the case above, for example, "Water is mixed in kerosene. 10 minutes from now, the fuel supply will be stopped. Please drain water." It is desirable to give specific instructions such as In this case, the timer 36 is activated at the same time as the alarm is issued, and the solenoid valve is activated 10 minutes after the alarm is issued. In the case of water contamination, if left unattended, abnormal combustion of the combustion device may occur, or the combustion device may be damaged. Therefore, there is a possibility that damage will be greater than when the device is stopped due to running out of fuel. Therefore, it is better to stop not only the alarm but also the kerosene supply automatically by the operation of the solenoid valve 33.

To discharge the mixed water, the valve is opened by operating the handle 10 of the water drain cock 5 provided in the kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device 1. As a result, the main body side passage 7 of the base body portion 2, the passage 6 of the water drain cock 5, and the discharge passage 8 communicate with each other, and the accumulated mixed water is discharged to the outside through these passages. In this case, if the clearance formed between the water detection float 11 and the opening of the socket 53a is too small, the accumulated water may not flow into the main body side passage 7 due to the surface tension of the kerosene previously accumulated. Because there is
By setting the outer diameter of the water detection float 11 as appropriate, a clearance allowing inflow of accumulated water is provided.

The present invention has been described above by taking the detection of the remaining amount of kerosene and the detection of water contamination in kerosene as an example.
Those skilled in the art can easily infer that the present apparatus can be used for fluids other than kerosene by appropriately setting the specific gravity of 5.

[0032]

The present invention has a water detecting float and a reed switch as a first detecting means, a residual oil detecting float and a reed switch as a second detecting means, a guide pipe for accommodating each reed switch, and a draining means. It is possible to easily detect the remaining amount of kerosene and mixed water simply by arranging the base part in one body and arranging it in the existing drainage port of the tank, and it is necessary to modify the tank altogether. Since it does not exist, it can be used not only in new tanks but also in conventional tanks, and is extremely versatile.

Further, since even a small amount of mixed water can be detected and the mixed water can be discharged by using this device, the device can be detected as compared with the conventional device which separately detects the mixed water and discharges the mixed water. The convenience of can be improved.

Further, the kerosene intake port having the rising portion in the tank is used only for taking in the kerosene as in the conventional case, and is not used for detecting the mixed water. The height can be set from the viewpoint of preventing the inflow of dust and sand. Therefore, the safety of the combustion device can be further enhanced as compared with the conventional device in which the detection device is installed on the kerosene intake port side.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a combustion device control system diagram showing an example of combustion device control using the kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway front view of an outdoor-installed kerosene tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device 2 Base part 3 Guide pipe 5 Drain cock 7 Main body side passage 8 Discharge passage 11 Water detection float 12, 16 Magnet 14, 18 Reed switch 50 (Outdoor installation type) Kerosene tank 50a Tank bottom 52 Kerosene intake port 53 Drain port 53a Drain nut

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A device for detecting a remaining amount of a filling liquid such as kerosene filled in a tank and a mixed liquid such as water mixed in the filling liquid, the device being arranged in the tank and detecting the mixed liquid. And a second detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the filling liquid above the first detecting means, and the first and second detecting means discharge the mixed liquid. A kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device, characterized in that it is formed integrally with a main body having means, and the main body is arranged at the drain port of the tank. 2. A device for detecting a remaining amount of a filling liquid such as kerosene filled in a tank and a mixed liquid such as water mixed in the filling liquid, the base being directly attached to a drain port of the tank. Portion, a guide pipe fixed to the base portion so as to be substantially coaxial with the base portion, first detection means for detecting the mixed liquid disposed in the guide pipe, and first detection for the guide pipe. And a second detection means for detecting the remaining amount of the filling liquid arranged above the means, and the base part is provided with openable / closable water draining means. And mixed water detection device. 3. The first and second detection means are turned on by a float provided with a magnet and inserted into the guide pipe and air-tightly arranged in the guide pipe and displaced by the magnet being moved up and down. The kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device according to claim 2, each of which is constituted by a reed switch that is turned off. 4. The liquid filled in the tank is kerosene, the mixed liquid is water, the specific gravity of the float in the first detecting means is 0.8 or more and less than 1, and the second The kerosene remaining amount and mixed water detection device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the specific gravity of the float in the detection means is less than 0.8.