JPS6246814B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device that is attached to a piping system in which gas and liquid flow together or to fluid-using equipment of this piping system to measure the flow rate of only gas. Specifically, it is installed on the primary side of a trap, etc. of a steam piping system or air piping system, and measures the flow rate of steam or air leaking from this trap.
This attachment part can be used to measure the amount of condensed steam due to heat radiation on the secondary side, or to measure the amount of steam used by this equipment by attaching it to the primary side of equipment that uses fluid.

As a prior art of the present invention, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 54-157333
There is something disclosed in the publication No. An outline of the structure of this prior art will be explained. A container is provided that forms an inlet, an outlet, and a chamber in which liquid is stored downward from both ports. A partition wall is provided hanging downward from the upper center of the room. An orifice is provided in the partition wall above the position corresponding to the outlet to allow gas to flow from the inlet to the outlet. An opening for liquid passage is provided under the partition wall with a passage area such that the water level difference before and after the partition wall is maintained approximately the same even when the liquid flow rate is maximum. Two electrodes are mounted laterally on the wall of the chamber on the inlet side of the septum, located below the inlet and above the opening for the liquid. A means is provided to energize the electrode and detect and display when the electrode is submerged in water and when it is above the water surface by a change in electrical resistance.

The above structure has the following problems. The inlet and outlet are connected between the steam supply and the steam trap. If the steam trap experiences a steam leak, steam will flow through the orifice from the inlet to the outlet because the liquid opening is water-sealed. At this time, a pressure difference is created between the inlet and outlet sides due to the throttling action of the orifice. The pressure on the inlet side is higher than that on the outlet side, and the water level in the chamber on the inlet side is lower than the water level in the chamber on the outlet side. At this time, the electrodes face the vapor, and the electrical resistance between the electrodes increases. The presence or absence of steam leakage is confirmed by this change in electrical resistance. With this device, it is only possible to determine whether the water level in the chamber on the inlet side is above or below the electrode. This only shows whether the leakage of steam is above or below a certain level. If vapor leakage occurs below the level relative to the electrodes, it will not be obvious. The exact amount of steam leaking is unknown.

The technical problem of the present invention is to measure the number of bubbles and accurately measure the flow rate of gas.

The present invention consists of the following configuration. A chamber with an inlet and an outlet opening at the top and extending below the outlet for storing liquid is formed inside the container. A partition is provided in the container to divide this chamber into an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet and an outlet chamber communicating with the outlet. The bulkhead extends below the outlet opening location. An orifice for communicating gas between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber is provided below the opening position of the outlet.
A liquid passage opening with a large passage area is provided so that the water levels in the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber are maintained substantially the same even when the flow rate of the liquid increases to the maximum. This opening is provided below the opening position of the outlet. Attach the electrode rod onto the orifice of the exit chamber. Means is provided for calculating the gas flow rate from the number of bubbles detected by the electrode rod using the correlation between the number of bubbles from the orifice and the gas flow rate passing through the orifice.

The operation of the above configuration is as follows. When gas is consumed on the outlet side, the water level in the inlet chamber of the container decreases as in the prior art, and bubbles flow out from the orifice by the amount of steam consumed to the outlet side. Find the correlation between the number of bubbles and the flow rate passing through the orifice.
The gas flow rate is determined from the number of bubbles detected. Therefore, since the number of bubbles flowing out from the orifice is detected, the accurate flow rate of gas can be measured.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.
The container is formed of a bowl-shaped main body 1 and a lid 7 attached to cover the upper opening of the main body 1. The container forms a chamber 6 extending downward to store liquid. The inlet 2 and outlet 3 are formed by tubular parts 4 and 5 extending coaxially from the top of the container to the left and right. The inlet 2 and outlet 3 open at the top of the chamber 6. In the chamber 6, a partition wall 8 is provided hanging substantially vertically from the ceiling side, bent at a substantially right angle to the exit chamber 6b below the opening position of the outlet 3, and further hanging down at a substantially right angle. This partition wall 8 divides the chamber 6 into an inlet chamber 6a to which the inlet 2 opens and an outlet chamber 6b to which the outlet 3 opens. An orifice 15 is provided in the partition wall 8 below the opening position of the outlet 3 to communicate the inlet chamber 6a and the outlet chamber 6b and to allow gas to pass therethrough. An opening 9 for liquid passage is provided in the lower part of the partition wall 8. The opening 9 is formed to have a large passage area so that the water levels in the inlet chamber 6a and the outlet chamber 6b can be maintained substantially the same even when the flow rate of the liquid increases to the maximum value. An electrode rod 10 whose tip only is a conductive member is attached to the lid 7, and the electrode rod 10 is attached substantially vertically from the ceiling of the exit chamber 6b toward the orifice. In addition to this electrode rod 10, a pressure sensor 13 is attached to the lid 7. The electrode rod 10 is provided to detect the number of bubbles flowing out from the orifice. Pressure sensor 13
may be provided facing either the inlet chamber 6a or the outlet chamber 6b. A means 14, for example, a microcomputer, is provided outside the container to store in advance the correlation between the number of bubbles from the orifice 15 and the amount of gas passing through the orifice 15, and to calculate the amount of gas passing from the number of bubbles detected by the electrode rod 10. . This means 14 conducts electricity between the main body 1 and the electrode rod 10, and the electrical resistance changes according to the passage of bubbles from the orifice.
The number of bubbles coming from the orifice is detected by changes in electrical resistance. The pressure sensor 13 is used when the specific weight of steam changes depending on the pressure of the steam. 11,1
Reference numerals 2 and 16 indicate electric wires connecting the means 14, the electrode rod 10, the pressure sensor 13, and the main body 1.

The operation of the above embodiment will be explained. When the apparatus of this embodiment is placed between the steam supply side and the steam trap 17 and the amount of steam leaking from the trap 17 is measured, it operates as follows. When the trap 17 causes steam leakage, the water level in the inlet chamber 6a drops below the orifice as shown in FIG. 1, and bubbles flow out from the orifice 15 by the amount of steam consumed to the outlet side.
The means 14 detects the number of bubbles coming from the orifice 15 by utilizing the fact that the electrical resistance between the electrode rod 10 and the main body 1 changes due to the passage of the bubbles.

In this embodiment, the pressure of the steam is detected by the pressure sensor 13, and the flow rate calculated by the means 14 can be corrected.
That is, the specific weight of steam changes depending on the pressure, and by integrating the specific weight corresponding to the detected pressure with the result calculated by means 14, the mass flow rate of the leaked steam can be determined. In addition, the pressure sensor 13
Alternatively, a temperature sensor may be used to determine the specific weight from the temperature.

Next, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 will be described in detail.
The container is formed of a bowl-shaped main body 21 and a lid 27 attached to cover the upper opening of the main body 21. The container forms a downwardly extending chamber 26 for storing liquid.
The inlet 22 and outlet 23 are formed by tubular portions 24 and 25 extending in the same line from the top of the container to the left and right. Entrance 22. The outlet 23 opens at the top of the chamber 26 . room 2
6, a partition wall 28 is provided hanging substantially vertically from the ceiling, bent at a substantially right angle toward the outlet chamber 26b below the opening position of the outlet 23, and further hanging down at a substantially right angle. The entrance chamber 2 which opens the chamber 6 with the entrance 22 by this partition wall 28
6a and an outlet chamber 26b in which the outlet 23 is opened. An orifice 3 that communicates the inlet chamber 26a and the outlet chamber 26b below the opening position of the outlet 23 and allows gas to pass therethrough.
3, 34, and 35 are provided on the partition wall 28 in stages. An opening 29 for liquid passage is provided in the lower part of the partition wall 28.
The opening 29 is formed to have a large passage area so that the water levels in the inlet chamber 26a and the outlet chamber 26b can be maintained substantially the same even when the flow rate of the liquid increases to the maximum value. Electrode rods 30, 31, 32 whose tips are conductive members are attached to the lid 27, and the electric rods 30, 31, 32 are attached substantially vertically from the ceiling of the outlet chamber 26b toward the orifice portion. Electrode rods 30, 31, and 32 are provided to detect the number of bubbles flowing out from the orifice.

The operation of the above embodiment will be explained. In the device of this embodiment, the orifices 33, 34, and 35 are attached to the partition wall 28 in stages, so even if there is a large change in flow rate, the electrode rods 30, 31, and
By detecting the number of bubbles from 34 and 35, it is possible to accurately measure the amount of steam leakage.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 will be described in detail. The container is formed of a bowl-shaped main body 41 and a lid 47 attached to cover the upper opening of the main body 41. The container forms a downwardly extending chamber 46 for storing liquid. Entrance 4
2. The outlet 43 is formed by tubular portions 44 and 45 extending in the same line from the top of the container to the left and right. Entrance 42・
The outlet 43 opens at the top of the chamber 46 . Inside the chamber 46, a partition wall 48 is suspended approximately vertically from the ceiling and an outlet 4 is provided.
It is bent at a substantially right angle toward the outlet chamber 46b below the opening position of No. 3, and further hung down at a substantially right angle. An entrance chamber 46a in which the entrance 42 of the chamber 46 is opened by this partition wall 48.
and an outlet chamber 46b in which the outlet 43 is opened. An orifice 50 that communicates the inlet chamber 46a and the outlet chamber 46b and allows gas to pass therethrough below the opening position of the outlet 43, and an orifice 51 that communicates the inlet chamber 46a and the outlet chamber 46b and allows the gas to pass above the opening position of the outlet 43 are connected to the partition wall 48. Provided for. The lower part of the partition wall 48 is provided with an opening 49 for fluid passage. The opening 49 is formed to have a large passage area so that the water level in the inlet chamber 46a and the outlet chamber 46b can be maintained substantially the same even when the flow rate increases to the maximum value. An electrode rod 52 is attached to the lid 47, and the electrode rod 52 is attached substantially vertically from the ceiling of the exit chamber 46b toward the orifice portion. The electrode rod 52 is provided to detect the number of bubbles flowing out from the orifice 50.

The operation of the above embodiment will be explained. The device of this embodiment is provided with an orifice 50 for passing gas below the opening position of the exit chamber 43 and an orifice 51 for passing gas above the opening position of the exit chamber 43. , the amount of gas passing through the orifice 51 and the bubbles from the orifice 50 are transferred to the electrode rod 5.
The amount of steam leakage can be measured by combining the number of bubbles detected in step 2.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described in detail. The container is formed of a bowl-shaped main body 61 and a lid 67 attached to cover the upper opening of the main body 61. The container forms a downwardly extending chamber 66 for storing liquid. Entrance 6
2. The outlet 63 is formed by tubular portions 64 and 65 extending in the same line from the top of the container to the left and right. Entrance 62・
The outlet 63 opens at the top of the chamber 66. Inside the chamber 66, a partition wall 68 is suspended approximately vertically from the ceiling and an outlet 63 is provided.
It is bent toward the outlet chamber 66b below the opening position of the opening, and is provided to hang down at a substantially right angle. With this partition wall 68, the chamber 6
An inlet chamber 66a opening 6 to the inlet 62 and an outlet 63
The outlet chamber 66b is divided into an outlet chamber 66b which opens into an outlet chamber 66b. A slit 75 is provided below the opening position of the outlet 63 to communicate the inlet chamber 66a and the outlet chamber 66b. This slit 75
is installed to allow gas to pass through, similar to an orifice. The partition wall 68 is provided with an opening 69 for gas flow at its lower part. The opening 69 is formed to have a large passage area so that the water level in the inlet chamber 66a and the outlet chamber 66b can be maintained substantially the same even when the flow rate increases to the maximum value. Electrode rods 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 are attached to the lid 67, and the electrode rods 70, 71, 72, 73, 74 are attached substantially perpendicularly from the ceiling of the exit chamber toward the slit portion. Electrode rods 70, 71, 72, 73, and 74 are provided to detect the number of bubbles flowing out from the orifice.

The operation of the above embodiment will be explained. Since the device of this embodiment has a slit 75 in the partition wall 68,
Slit 7 when the flow rate changes continuously
The number of bubbles flowing out from electrode rods 70, 71, 7
2, 73, and 74 and can accurately measure the amount of steam leakage.

The present invention has the following unique effects. When liquid passes through, the water level in the inlet chamber does not drop due to the opening with a large passage area for liquid passage.
Only when gas passes through, the pressure on the inlet chamber side becomes higher than that on the outlet chamber side, the water level on the inlet chamber side decreases, and liquid accumulates on the outlet chamber side, so that bubbles are generated from the orifice. Therefore, it is possible to measure only the flow rate of gas in a piping system where gas and liquid flow. The gas flow rate is detected by the number of bubbles coming from the orifice. Bubbles from the orifice occur even if the gas flow rate is minute. Therefore, minute gas flow rates can be measured.

The device of the present invention only needs to be connected to the pipe at the inlet and outlet at the measurement site. Additionally, this device consists of a container and a means for calculating the flow rate and is easily portable. Therefore, it can be easily handled on site. It is easy to judge the operation and the measuring device is simple.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a container portion of a flow rate measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are sectional views of containers of other embodiments. 1, 21, 41, 61: Main body, 7, 27, 4
7, 67: Lid, 2, 22, 42, 62: Entrance,
3, 23, 43, 63: Exit, 6, 26, 46,
66: Indoor, 6a, 26a, 46a, 66a: Entrance chamber, 6b, 26b, 46b, 66b: Exit chamber,
8, 28, 48, 68: partition wall, 9, 29, 49,
69: Liquid opening, 10, 30, 31, 32, 5
2, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74: Electrode rod, 1
3: Pressure sensor, 14: Means for calculating and displaying,
15, 33, 34, 35, 50: Orifice, 7
5: Slit, 11, 12, 16: Electric wire, 17:
Trap.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A container with an inlet and an outlet opening at the top and extending below the outlet to form a chamber for storing liquid, a partition wall that divides the chamber into an inlet chamber communicating with the inlet and an outlet chamber communicating with the outlet, and the opening position of the outlet. An orifice that extends further down, an orifice installed below the opening position of the outlet so that the inlet and outlet chambers communicate with each other to allow gas to flow, and the water level in the inlet and outlet chambers remains unchanged even when the liquid flow rate increases to its maximum value. An opening for liquid passage with a large passage area set below the orifice to maintain the same flow rate, an electrode rod attached to the outlet chamber, and the correlation between the number of bubbles from the orifice and the gas flow rate through the orifice. A flow rate measuring device consisting of a means for calculating and displaying the gas flow rate from the number of bubbles detected by an electrode rod using the relationship.