KR100262066B1 - Automatic gas changer for gas tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An automatic gas changer for a gas tank is provided to automatically change a consumed gas tank with a spare gas tank by sensing the absence of gas when gas stored in a gas tank is consumed and the gas tank must be exchanged to the spare gas tank. CONSTITUTION: A controller(10) controls an overall operation and has a display and a gas alarm. The first connecting valve(20) is connected to an external gas tank and has the first valve handle(30), and a second valve connecting valve(100) is positioned to oppose the first connecting valve(20) and has the second valve handle(90). The first stopper(40) is connected to the first connecting valve(20) to turn on/off the first valve handle(30), and the second stopper(80) is connected to the second connecting valve(100) to turn on/off the second valve handle(90). A gas supply pipe(110) is connected to the first and second connecting valves(20,100) to supply gas. A pressure switch(70) measures the internal gas pressure of the gas supply pipe(110).

Description

Gas container automatic switching device

The present invention relates to a gas container automatic switching device that opens and closes the inlet of a gas container to supply gas to a gas burner, a gas stove, or a gas boiler. More specifically, the gas stored in the gas container is consumed below a predetermined pressure. Gas container automatic switching device that detects the absence of gas when it needs to be replaced with a gas-filled container, automatically switches to a spare gas container to supply gas, and informs the gas supplier of a changed supply or abnormal condition. It is about.

LPG, a natural gas such as LNG, or tank storage supply, is rapidly increasing in use as a substitute for briquettes. In particular, gas is used not only as cooking fuel but also as heating fuel in gas boilers, etc. Therefore, a large amount of gas is consumed in winter. Gas boilers are concerned with the exhaustion of fuel, because in large apartment complexes, city gas pipes are buried and fuel is supplied directly from large-scale stored gas tanks, gas consumption is measured according to the amount used, and the fee is charged as indicated on the meter. There is nothing to use. However, small complexes such as single-family houses or townhouses use gas containers delivered from gas stations. The gas container is usually 20 to 50 kg of gas, and the stored gas is exhausted by using a gas boiler, a gas stove, or the like. Conventionally, since there is no means for the user to check the amount of gas remaining in the gas container, the user should contact the filling station to check the gas supply and supply a new gas only after the gas runs out while the gas boiler or the stove is in use.

In order to alleviate this inconvenience, two gas containers can be connected to each other at the same time by connecting pipes, but there is a safety problem, and each gas container is connected to each other by switching the valves of the gas container alternately. Pressure-sensing manual gas changers are used. Even if the gas is supplied from two gas containers, the gas can be used for a long time, but when the gas is exhausted, the user cannot deliver the gas container directly to the gas station after the gas runs out. There was an inconvenience to ask.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to detect the absence of gas when the gas stored in the gas container is consumed below a predetermined pressure and need to be replaced with a gas-filled container and preliminary The present invention provides a gas container automatic switching device for supplying gas by automatically switching to a gas container.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gas container automatic switching device having an address-only transmitter that can notify a user or a gas supplier located at a remote location of a gas supply change in a gas container or an abnormal condition such as a gas leak or no gas. To provide.

Gas container automatic switching device of the present invention for achieving the above object, the display unit therein, and a gas alarm built-in controller; Each of which is connected to an external gas container, the first connection valve having both ends communicating with each other and having a first valve handle disposed at an intermediate portion thereof, and a second connection disposed at an opposite position of the first connection valve and having a second valve handle disposed at an intermediate portion thereof. valve; The controller and the electric wire are connected to the outside by the explosion-proof plate, the first breaker and the second for turning on / off the first valve handle by being connected in series with the upper side of the first valve handle of the first connection valve A second circuit breaker connected to the upper side of the second valve handle of the connecting valve to turn on / off the second valve handle; A gas supply pipe for supplying gas, the both ends of which are in communication with each other, a free end of the first connection valve is connected to one end, and a free end of the second connection valve is connected to the other end, and a pipe communicating downward is formed; A pressure switch for measuring a gas pressure inside the gas supply pipe, the pressure switch measuring a pressure through a branch pipe, and a wire connected to a controller in a state in which the wire is blocked from the outside through a explosion-proof plate; And an address transmission transmitter for notifying an operation state of the gas container automatic switching device.

1 is a front view of a gas container automatic switching device according to the present invention,

2 is a front view of a controller of a gas container automatic switching device according to the present invention;

3 is a schematic wiring diagram of a gas container automatic switching device according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the backflow prevention gasket used in the present invention,

5 is a partially separated view showing the structure of the explosion-proof plate used in the present invention.

<Description of the code | symbol about the principal part of drawing>

A: coupling part, 10: controller,

20,100: connecting valve, 30,90: valve handle,

40,80: circuit breaker, 50: explosion proof,

52,60: flexible pipe, 54,56: cable connecting jack,

70: pressure switch, 102: alarm generating window,

104: display unit, 106: switch,

108: outlet, 110: gas supply pipe,

120: address transmission transmitter, 130: gasket,

132: bolt fixing groove, 134: blocking plate.

Hereinafter, a gas container automatic switching device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is to detect the gas exhaustion or abnormal situation occurs when the gas supply is connected when the reserve gas container is connected to automatically open the gas valve to supply the gas and notify the status through the address transmission transmitter, gas leakage, etc. It is a device that can notify the user.

In the gas container automatic switching device of the present invention, referring to the front view of FIG. 1, a controller 10 including an on / off switch and a wiring device for controlling an entire stroke, and a first connection valve serving as a gas supply path 20 and the second connection valve 100, the first circuit breaker 40 and the second circuit breaker 90 for opening and closing the first connection valve 20 and the second connection valve 100, the gas gas The gas supply pipe 110 and the gas supply pipe 110 to communicate with the first connection valve 20 and the second connection valve 100 to supply to the use device, such as a boiler or a gas stove, to pass through the inside Pressure switch 70 for measuring gas pressure and an address for notifying gas replacement or gas abnormality according to a signal from the controller 10 which performs a control operation by detecting a pressure change of the pressure switch 70. Transmission transmitter 120, and a gas alarm for detecting gas leaks (not shown Is constructed of a search). The gas alarm may be used by connecting a conventional circuit.

The controller 10 has a display 104 and a gas alarm (not shown) for adjusting the overall stroke. In addition, a plurality of switch circuits, such as on / off control to operate in accordance with the power applied to the pressure switch 70 is included and will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the display unit 104 is connected to lamps to display operating states of power, alarm, gas 1, gas 2, and the like. The power indicates the power supply status, and the alarm is to notify the user when the gas is exhausted or after the gas alarm is detected by the gas alarm. In addition, the controller 10 is further connected to an address transmission transmitter 120 that can contact a gas supplier or the like through the telephone line L1, which will be described later.

The switch 106 is for checking by the user when the alarm sound is generated in the gas container automatic switching device of the present invention and stopping the alarm sound, and power is supplied through the outlet 108. Reference numeral 102 is an alarm generating window for passing the sound signal when the alarm sound occurs. Gas 1 and gas 2 indicate a gas supply state of the gas container, and indicate a gas container to which gas is supplied. That is, when gas is supplied from the gas container 1, the lamp of the gas 1 is turned on so that the user can recognize the gas supply.

The first connecting valve 20 and the second connecting valve 100 is in a symmetrical position with respect to the gas supply pipe 110, and the internal structure is essentially the same. However, the first connecting valve 20 is a gas container 1, the second connecting valve 100 is used to control the gas supply of the gas container 2. The first connection valve 20 and the second connection valve 100 are connected to the external gas containers 1 and 2, respectively, and both ends thereof communicate with each other and the first valve handle 30 and the second valve handle ( 90 are respectively installed.

The first connection valve 20 and the second connection valve 100 are respectively connected in series with the upper side of the valve handle 30 of the first connection valve 20 so as to turn on / off the valve handle 30. A second circuit breaker 80 for connecting the first circuit breaker 40 and the second valve handle 90 on / off is connected in series with the upper side of the second valve handle 90 of the second connection valve 100. It is. For this purpose, the first and second breakers 40 and 80 may be configured to open or lock the valve by using a driving motor which is operated in both directions. The first circuit breaker 40 and the second circuit breaker 80 are turned on / off according to the control signal from the controller 10 to open and close the first connection valve 20 and the second connection valve 100. do. Alternatively, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the first and second breakers 40 and 80 can be easily configured using a solenoid valve.

The gas supply pipe 110 connected between the first connection valve 20 and the second connection valve 100 is for supplying gas to a gas boiler or a gas stove, and both ends thereof communicate with each other. The free end of the valve 20 is connected, the other end is connected to the free end of the second connecting valve 100 is formed in communication with the lower side. As described above, two gas containers are connected to both side portions of the gas supply pipe 110, so that the total gas supply amount is increased, so that the gas supply pipe 110 may be used for a long time.

A gasket (130 of FIG. 4) is inserted between the gas supply pipe 110 and the coupling portion A connecting the first and second connection valves 20 and 100 to prevent gas leakage. 4 shows a gasket 130 used in the present invention. The gasket 130 has a plurality of bolt fixing grooves 132 formed along the circumferential direction. This bolt fixing groove 132 is a hole through which the bolt as seen in the installation state of FIG.

In addition, a blocking plate 134 is further provided at the center of the gasket 130. The blocking plate 134 is installed to open and close according to the gas pressure, and is attached to prevent the gas from flowing back into the gas container. Therefore, after gas container 1 (or gas container 2) is completely exhausted, the gas flows into gas container 1 (or gas container 2) even when gas is supplied from gas container 2 (or gas container 1) to gas supply pipe 110. Prevent the gas from being supplied to the gas boiler or stove.

The gas supply pipe 110 is also provided with a pressure switch 70. The pressure switch 70 is connected through a portion of the gas supply pipe 110 by the flexible pipe 72 and serves to measure and detect the gas pressure passing through the gas supply pipe 110. That is, when the pressure exceeds the first predetermined pressure (upper limit reference pressure) set in the pressure switch 70, it is recognized as the occurrence of the gas pressure abnormality and outputs an electrical signal.

In addition, when the pressure is less than the second predetermined pressure (lower limit reference pressure), the gas is almost exhausted and the pressure is recognized and the corresponding electrical signal is also output. For this purpose, the pressure switch 70 is provided with an indicator hand for setting an upper limit reference pressure and a lower limit reference pressure. The pressure switch 70 is installed inside the elastic spring that changes in accordance with the pressure can detect the pressure change. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that it is possible to use a pressure switch using a pressure sensor of another type in addition to the mechanical pressure sensor.

A power supply line (not shown) is connected to the first circuit breaker 40, the second circuit breaker 80, and the pressure switch 70 to supply power for operating them. These power supply lines are installed wrapped around the flexible pipe 60, and the terminal for wire connection is protected by the explosion-proof plate 50 in order to prevent accidents during gas leakage. In other words, the explosion-proof plate 50 serves to prevent the leakage of the gas ignition, explosion by splashing sparks from the connection terminal by blocking the terminal for the wire connection from the outside.

FIG. 5 is a partially separated view illustrating a connection state of the cable connection jacks 54 and 56 accommodated in the explosion-proof plate 50. As shown in the figure, the cable connection jacks 54 and 56 are connected to the inside of the explosion-proof plate 50, and are sealed and accommodated, and then coupled with the flexible pipe 52 to be cut off from the outside. The connecting line 62 is connected to the controller 10 after it continues to extend. The wires (connecting wires) connected to the pressure switch 70, the first circuit breaker 40, and the second circuit breaker 80 are similarly housed in the explosion-proof plate 50.

3 is a schematic wiring diagram of a gas container automatic switching device according to the present invention, which is installed inside the controller 10. A display unit 104 (see FIG. 2) for displaying a status to an external user is provided, and a gas alarm (not shown) for detecting a gas leak is provided. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that the gas alarm can be installed at a suitable place where gas leakage is concerned and connected using wires as necessary.

Signals generated from the pressure switch 70, the gas alarm, and the first and second breakers 40 and 80 are applied as voltage signals to the plurality of switches LS1 (or LS2). When a signal (voltage signal) is input through LS1 (or LS2), the signal is detected and a signal for opening and closing the valve of the first circuit breaker 40 (or the second circuit breaker 80) is output. In addition, according to the input signal state outputs a control signal to the address transmission transmitter 120 outputs a signal for notifying the situation to the user or gas supplier through the telephone line. LS1 is a switch for inputting low pressure, and LS2 is a switch for inputting high pressure. In addition, LS3 and LS4 are switches that detect the state of the valve driving motor. LS5 is a switch connected to the gas leak detector. In the drawing, the portion enlarged by the dotted circle is an embodiment of LS3, and it can be seen that the circuit is composed of a switching circuit using a transistor. Of course, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that other circuits having the same purpose can be constructed.

In addition, CR1, CR2, CR3, and CR4 are for controlling the open state of the gas container, CR1, CR4 is to adjust to the gas open detection state, CR2, CR3 is used to adjust to the gas closed state. CR5, CR6, CR7, and CR8 are spare parts.

Effects of the automatic gas container switching device of the present invention having the configuration as described above are as follows.

When powered, each device enters standby. In this state, the user uses gas, and when the gas stored in the gas container decreases, the gas pressure decreases accordingly. Detection of the reduced gas pressure is made through the pressure sensor 70. That is, when the gas pressure decreases below a predetermined value, the setting switch circuit LS1 of the pressure sensor 70 is activated to detect this. When the LS1 is activated, this signal is transmitted to the CR1, CR4, and the address transmitter 120. The CR1 is operated when the gas pressure is low pressure, and accordingly outputs a signal to open the preliminary gas reservoir. Thus fresh gas is supplied. At the same time, the gas container, which has been used up first and is completely exhausted, is closed by CR2. The opening of the preliminary gas container and the closing of the used gas container are simultaneously performed by the first and second breakers 40 and 80.

The address transmitting transmitter 120 may transmit a status signal by calling a wireless pager through a telephone line L1 installed indoors. The address transmitting transmitter 120 includes a control microcomputer for storing necessary items such as a user's unique address interlocking signal and a telephone number, and a modem for transmitting and receiving a signal through a telephone line. If gas leakage is not detected, the set pressure from the pressure switch 70 is sensed. If the detected pressure is a normal pressure value between the upper limit reference pressure (first predetermined pressure) and the lower limit reference pressure (second predetermined pressure), the sensing state is continuously performed.

The address linkage signal is a unique name or number of a home in which the gas container automatic switching device of the present invention is installed, and the gas supplier can recognize this and confirm in which home the accident occurred and take necessary measures. If the pressure value detected by the control microcomputer included in the address transmission transmitter 120 is lower than the lower limit reference pressure (second predetermined pressure), the gas is exhausted and there is not enough gas. The control microcomputer opens the valve of the gas container which is prepared in advance while maintaining the current state. This is achieved by controlling the breaker connected to the gas container by outputting a control signal from the microcomputer.

The controller then shuts off the connected valve by controlling the breaker connected to the exhaust gas container. Therefore, while the new gas is supplied to the gas supply pipe 110, the gas is normally supplied. At this time, the controller 10 continuously measures the pressure from the pressure switch 70.

If it is determined that the gas discharged from the new gas container is below the lower limit reference pressure, it is determined that all of the gases are empty, the current state is maintained and an alarm is sounded to notify the user of an abnormality.

In addition, the address transmission transmitter 120 outputs a control signal including data promised in advance to transmit the address interlocking signal to the pager of the gas supplier. The gas supplier can read the signal input to the pager and determine which household gas containers in the home are exhausted and need to be replaced. The gas supplier can replace the empty gas container with a new gas container full of gas without ordering from the user.

If the gas pressure is normal after replacing the new gas container, the address interlocking signal is transmitted through the address transmission transmitter 120 to notify the gas supplier that one gas container is empty. The gas supplier will be aware of this and will be prepared for a time of gas replacement by replacing or recording a new gas container.

In the above description, the signal from the address transmission transmitter 120 is transmitted to the pager, but the data is automatically updated by being connected to the other party's phone or a computer directly recognizing the gas container status of each household. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the gas stored in the gas container is consumed below a predetermined pressure and needs to be replaced with a container filled with gas, it detects the absence of gas and automatically switches to a preliminary gas container to supply the gas. There is an advantage in that the gas supplier can be notified of a supply change or abnormal condition.

Although the invention has been described in detail only with respect to the described embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention, and such variations or modifications will belong to the appended claims. .

Claims (2)

A controller 10 for controlling the entire stroke and having a display unit 104 and a gas alarm and a plurality of control switch circuits therein; Each of which is connected to the external gas container, the both ends are in communication with each other and the first valve handle 30 is installed in the middle portion is located in the opposite position of the first connecting valve 20 and the first connecting valve 20 and A second connecting valve 100 provided with a second valve handle 90; The controller 10 and the electric wire are connected to each other in a state of being blocked by the explosion-proof plate 50, and are connected in series with the upper side of the first valve handle 30 of the first connection valve 20 so that the first valve handle ( 30 is connected in series with the first circuit breaker 40 for opening / closing on / off and the upper side of the second valve handle 90 of the second connection valve 100 to open / close the second valve handle 90. A second circuit breaker (80) for As a gas supply, both ends communicate with each other, and a free end of the first connection valve 20 is connected to one end, and a free end of the second connection valve 100 is connected to the other end and communicates downward. The gas supply pipe 110 is formed; The pressure switch 70 for measuring the gas pressure inside the gas supply pipe 110 measures the pressure through the branch pipe and is connected to the controller 10 in a state where the wire is cut off from the outside through the explosion-proof plate 50. ; And Gas container automatic switching device, characterized in that consisting of the address transmission transmitter 120 for notifying the operation state through the telephone line of the automatic gas switching device. According to claim 1, wherein the first connecting valve 20 and the gas supply pipe 70 and the second connecting valve 100 and the gas supply pipe for preventing the back flow of gas between the 70, the center of the gas pressure A gas container automatic switching device, characterized in that the gasket 130 having a bolt fixing groove 132 is inserted into the blocking plate 134 and the periphery.