WO2007117083A1

WO2007117083A1 - Gas leakage detection apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007117083A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cheol-Ki Park
Original assignee: Cheol-Ki Park
Priority date: 2006-04-11
Filing date: 2007-03-14
Publication date: 2007-10-18
Also published as: KR100679681B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a gas leakage detection apparatus which is installed to be connected to a middle valve body of a main pipe through which gas flows for detecting gas leakage, and comprises an inflow pipe connected to an inflow end of the middle valve body and having an inflow valve for controlling gas inflow from the main pipe, a detection pipe, which is reversely U-shaped and connected to the inflow pipe, an outflow pipe connected between the detection pipe and an outflow end of the middle valve body for controlling gas outflow to the main pipe, and a detection agent filled in the detection pipe and moved back and forth in the detection pipe by a difference between gas pressures of the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe. The gas leakage detection apparatus according to the present invention can sensitively detect even a small amount of leaked gas, thereby preventing gas accidents.

Description

GAS LEAKAGE DETECTION APPARATUS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a gas leakage detection apparatus, and more particularly to a gas leakage detection apparatus capable of sensitively detecting even a small amount of leaked gas in order to prevent gas accidents, preventing the inflow of a gas detection agent into a gas appliance, and having high reliability and making it easy to check for gas leakage by allowing a user to check for gas leakage, both visually and using an electrical warning signal, simultaneously. Background Art

[2] Generally, since a gas accident can have a large number of victims, gas appliances for homes or industries must be periodically checked for gas leakage in order to prevent gas safety accidents. Gas leakage generally occurs around joints of pipes or valves, and conventional gas leakage detection apparatus is installed on a middle valve body installed on a main pipe through which supply gas flows, thereby detecting gas leakage occurring downstream of the middle valve.

[3] Conventional gas leakage detection apparatus is classified into a ball-type, a propeller-type, and a bubble creation type. The ball-type apparatus is an apparatus for detecting gas leakage by placing balls having different weights into a bypass pipe connected to a middle valve body and visually checking the vertical positions of the balls. The propeller-type apparatus is an apparatus for checking gas leakage by inserting a propeller into a gas pipe and visually checking rotation of the propeller. The above two types are difficult to use to detect a small amount of gas because they use physical quantities, such as the weight of the balls and the rotating force of the propeller, to check gas leakage.

[4] The bubble creation-type gas leakage detection apparatus according to the conventional art will be described below with reference to FlG. 1. A bypass pipe 3 is connected to a middle valve body 1 installed on a main pipe through which gas flows via a transparent cylinder 2, and a slender tube 5 having an end dipped into a detection agent in the cylinder is connected to an end of the bypass pipe 3. In such a structure, if the bypass pipe 3 is opened by opening a valve body, which is not shown, and a middle valve 6 of a middle valve body 1 is closed, in the event that the gas leakage occurs, bubbles 7 are created in the detection agent 4 in the cylinder 2, so that the gas leakage can be checked visually.

[5] The above-described bubble-creation-type gas leakage detection apparatus has an advantageous effect in that it is possible to detect the seriousness of the gas leakage from the sizes of the bubbles and the continued generation of the bubbles. However, the apparatus also has a disadvantage in that it is difficult to use to detect the gas leakage when the amount of leaked gas is small, because bubbles are not created or bubble creation is slow if the leaked gas is a small amount. That is, in the case in which a small amount of gas is leaked, an incorrect conclusion, that no gas is leaking, can be reached, and thus the gas leakage can spread and gas accidents can occur. Further, in the case in which a large crack occurs at a rear end portion of the middle valve body 1 and excessive pressure is applied to the gas supply pipe, the gas leakage detection agent in the cylinder 2 can overflow toward a gas appliance, thereby impeding the ignition of the gas appliance.

[6] Still further, since the apparatus which enables visual detection of the gas leakage requires that an inspector directly approach a gas leakage detection apparatus when checking for the gas leakage, it is difficult to establish a real-time gas leakage monitoring system using such apparatus. Accordingly, recently, apparatuses for detecting gas leakage using an electrical sensor have been developed. However, the electrical-sensor-type apparatus has a disadvantageous effect in that it is difficult to determine whether the apparatus is operating abnormally, and thus such apparatus has poor reliability. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[7] In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gas leakage detection apparatus designed in a manner such that a detection agent charged in a detection tube having a small diameter flows backward and forward in response to a difference in the pressure of inflow gas and outflow gas, so that it can detect even a small amount of leaked gas, and such that the detection agent overflowing from the detection pipe is separated from gas and is separately stored in a different space, thereby preventing the detection agent from impeding the ignition of a gas appliance.

[8] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a gas leakage detection apparatus which is capable of supplementing a gas leakage detection agent in a simple manner when the gas leakage detection agent is overflowing from a detection pipe.

[9] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a gas leakage detection apparatus capable of allowing a real-time monitoring system to be easily established by using an electrical signal as well as visually checking for gas leakage, thereby being highly reliable when used to check for gas leakage. Technical Solution

[10] In order to achieve the above objects and advantageous effects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas leakage detection apparatus which is connected to a middle valve body of a main pipe, through which gas flows, for detecting gas leakage, and comprises an inflow pipe connected to an inflow end of the middle valve body and having an inflow valve for controlling gas inflow from the main pipe, a detection pipe, which is reversely U-shaped and connected to the inflow pipe, an outflow pipe connected between the detection pipe and an outflow end of the middle valve body for controlling gas outflow to the main pipe, and a detection agent charged in the detection pipe and moved back and forth in the detection pipe by the difference between gas pressures of the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe.

[11] The detection pipe may have diameter in the range from 1 to 8 millimeters.

[12] The detection pipe may be received in a housing having a portion which is transparent or semi-transparent, so that states of the detection pipe can be visually checked from outside the housing.

[13] The gas leakage detection apparatus may further include a level sensor installed at the detection pipe for detecting the height of the detection agent and for creating a warning signal corresponding to the detection signal of the level sensor.

[14] The gas leakage detection apparatus may further include a detection agent outflow- blocking chamber installed between the detection pipe and the outflow pipe, so that the detection agent overflowing from the detection pipe is stored in a lower part thereof, and gas supplied from the detection pipe is discharged through an upper part of thereof.

[15] The gas leakage detection apparatus may further include a separation pipe connected between an outflow end of the detection pipe and an inflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber for separating the detection agent from the gas when the detection agent is introduced into the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber, and the separation pipe has a relatively large diameter in comparison with the detection pipe and is inclined down to the inflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber.

[16] The gas leakage detection apparatus may further include a detection agent supplement pipe connected between the lower part of the detection agent outflow- blocking chamber and the lower part of the detection pipe, and a supplement valve installed on the detection agent supplement pipe for controlling the supplementation of the detection agent.

[17] The detection pipe and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber may be received in the housing having a portion which is transparent or semitransparent, so that the states of the detection pipe and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber can be visually checked through the transparent or semitransparent portion of the housing. [18] The housing may be provided with graduation marks at the portion at which the detection pipe is visible to allow a user to easily check the height of the detection agent in the detection pipe.

[19] The inflow end of the detection pipe may be connected to a plurality of connection ports.

[20] The housing may be injection-molded using acryl-based or polycarbonate-based resin in a manner such that the housing incorporates the path for the detection pipe and the space for the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber therein, and has the inflow end of the detection pipe and the outflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber, which are connected to connection ports, on an outside thereof.

[21] The housing may be injection-molded such that graduation marks are formed on the surface of the housing at a portion at which the detection pipe is visible from the outside. Advantageous Effects

[22] As described above, the gas leakage detection apparatus is designed in a manner such that gas pressures between a gas inflow side and a gas outflow side of the detection pipe are different if even a small size crack occurs in the detection pipe, so that a small amount of leaked gas is detected with high sensitivity. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent gas accidents.

[23] Further, if the detection agent in the detection pipe overflows, the detection agent is separated from gas, and then the detection agent is stored in the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber, and only the gas is separately discharged. That is, it is possible to prevent the ignition failure of gas appliances.

[24] Still further, since the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber and the detection pipe are connected by the detection agent supplement pipe, the detection agent in the detection pipe is easily supplemented after the detection agent flows out.

[25] Yet further, since the movement of the detection agent is detected by the level sensor and a warning signal is generated when gas leakage is detected, it is possible to check for gas leakage both visually and using the electrical warning signal. Accordingly, the reliability of detection of gas leakage is increased and a real-time unmanned gas leakage monitoring system can be established.

[26] Yet further, since components such as the detection pipe and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber are integrated with the housing into a single unit because they are manufactured through an injection molding process, it is possible to maximize productivity. Brief Description of the Drawings

[27] FIG 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a bubble-creation-type gas leakage detection apparatus according to the conventional art;

[28] FlG 2 is a perspective view illustrating a gas leakage detection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[29] FlG 3 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which gas leakage is detected by the gas leakage detection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

[30] FlG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a warning unit according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[31] FlG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a process of supplementing a detection agent; and

[32] FlG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the gas leakage detection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a housing and components installed in the housing are integrated into a single body through an injection molding method. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[33] Hereinafter, a gas leakage detection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[34] FlG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a gas leakage detection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the state in which gas leakage is detected by the gas leakage detection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a warning unit used in the gas leakage detection apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FlG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a process in which a gas leakage detection agent is supplemented, and FlG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a housing and components installed in the housing of the gas leakage detection apparatus according to the present invention, integrated into a single body through an injection molding method.

[35] Referring to FlG. 2, a middle valve body 20 is installed in the middle of a main pipe

10 connected between a gas supply unit and a home or industrial gas appliance, and the middle gas valve body 20 includes a middle valve 22 for permitting or blocking gas supply. The gas leakage detection apparatus according to the present invention is connected to the middle valve body 20. The middle valve body 20 has an inflow end and an outflow end, and a gas inflow pipe 30 through which gas is supplied from the main pipe 10 is connected to the inflow end of the middle valve body 20. Further a detection pipe 40 which is reversely U-shaped is connected to an end of the gas inflow pipe 30. The detection pipe 40 has an outflow end connected to an outflow pipe 50, and gas is returned to the outflow end of the middle valve body 20 through the outflow pipe 50. That is, a bypass path is formed by the inflow end of the middle valve body 20, the inflow pipe 30, the detection pipe 40, the outflow pipe 50 and the outflow end of the middle valve body 20. In order to open or close the bypass path, the inflow pipe 30 and the outflow pipe 50 have an inflow valve 32 and an outflow valve 52, respectively. The detection pipe 40 may have a small diameter, such as 8 millimeters or less, and a small amount of detection agent 42, sufficient to fill a U-shaped portion, is charged in the detection pipe 40. The detection agent 42 is disposed in the lower portion of the reversely U-shaped detection pipe 40, and is moved backward and forward in the detection pipe 40 by the difference between gas pressures of inflow gas and outflow gas. Preferably, the detection agent 42 is colored so as to be readily visible when checking for gas leakage.

[36] The operation of the apparatus according to the present invention will be described below. In the state in which a gas appliance is not used, the outflow valve 52 is opened and then the inflow valve 32 is opened. Next, when the middle valve 22 of the middle valve body 20 begins to be closed, gas may be bypassed from the inflow pipe 30, the detection pipe 40 and the outflow pipe 50. At this time, since the reversely U-shaped detection pipe 40 is charged with the detection agent 42, the pressure of inflow gas is applied to the entire sectional area of the detection agent in the detection pipe 40. If gas does not leak in the middle of the path from the back end of the middle valve body 20 to the gas appliance, the pressure at the gas outflow end of the detection pipe 40 is the same as the pressure of supplied gas, that is, the gas pressure difference becomes zero, so that the detection agent 42 maintains a balance in the detection pipe 40. However, if there is even a slight crack in the middle of the path at the outflow of the middle valve body 20, as shown in FlG. 3, the detection agent 42 is moved toward the outflow end 50 by the difference in gas pressures applied to the detection agent 42. Accordingly, the apparatus according to the present invention can detect gas leakage even if just a small amount of gas leaks. At this time, if the detection agent 42 is colored, visibility for detection is enhanced.

[37] In order to enable visual checking for movement of the detection agent 42, the detection pipe 40 is provided in a housing 60 having a portion which is transparent or semitransparent. The housing 60 can be formed by assembling transparent panels, or is manufactured through an injection molding method using acryl-based or polycarbonate-based resin along with components installed in the housing 60 at one time. On the surface of the housing 60, graduation marks 62 are provided in order to allow a user to easily discern the height of the column of the detection agent 42 at the location at which the detection pipe 40 is disposed. In this instance, since the detection pipe 40 is U-shaped, even if the detection agent 42 moves only slightly, the heights of liquid columns of the detection agent 42 in two vertical tubes of the U-shaped detection pipe 40 vary. Thanks to the graduation marks 62, it is possible to detect just a slight amount of the difference between the heights of the liquid columns of the detection agent 42. Further, as the diameter of the detection pipe 40 becomes smaller, the movement of the detection agent 42 is increased, so that even if only a small amount of gas leaks, such gas leakage can be detected with greater sensitivity.

[38] Movement of the detection agent 42 can be made known to a watcher using an electrical signal. For this, a lever sensor 70 is installed on the portion of the outflow end of the detection pipe 40 for detecting the rise of the detection agent 42. The level sensor 70 can be a switch-type sensor, in which current flows between two contact points disposed away from each other as the detection agent 42 rises. Alternatively, the level sensor 70 can be a typical level sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, if the detection agent 42 rises to the point where the level sensor 70 is installed, the level sensor 70 outputs an electrical signal, and as shown in FIG. 4, the electrical signal is transmitted to a warning unit 72 via a signal line 74. At this time, preferably, the warning unit 72 can be an alarm which generates an alarm sound when the electrical signal is input thereinto, and the warning unit 72 can also light up an LED, as well as generating an alarm sound. The warning unit 72 can be a monitoring device installed in a central control office of a large construction such as building. In this instance, a watcher present in the control office checks warning signals through a monitoring computer, or the monitoring computer can send a gas leakage signal to the portable terminal of a watcher via a wireless channel provided by a communication channel provider. As described above, since the level sensor 70 sends a warning signal to a watcher through a common warning means when gas leakage occurs, it is possible to check for gas leakage through an electrical warning signal sent to a watcher located at a remote site, and it is also possible to visually check for gas leakage by observing the movement of the detection agent 42.

[39] Further, in order to prevent the detection agent 42 in the detection pipe 40 from overflowing to a gas appliance through the outflow pipe 50, a detection agent outflow- blocking chamber 80 is installed between the detection pipe 40 and the outflow pipe 50. The detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80 has sufficient volume to store the detection agent 42, overflowing into the detection pipe 40, in the lower part thereof, so that gas in the detection pipe 40 is separated from the detection agent 40 and then discharged through the outflow pipe 50.

[40] Further, a separation pipe 82 is connected between the detection pipe 40 and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80. The separation pipe 82 has a relatively large diameter in comparison with the detection pipe 40, and is installed at an incline down from the outflow end of the detection pipe 40 to an inflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80. Accordingly, in the case in which gas is introduced at an excessively high pressure, the detection agent 42 overflowing from the detection pipe 40 passes through the separation pipe 82, and thus the pressure applied to the detection agent 42 is lifted, so that the detection agent 42 is separated from the inflow gas. The detection agent 42 is not pumped to the outlet of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80, but falls into the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80.

[41] A detection agent supplement pipe 84 is connected between the lower part of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80 and the lower part of the detection agent pipe 40, and has a supplement valve 86 thereon. As shown in FlG. 5, if the detection agent 42 in the detection pipe 40 overflows toward the detection agent outflow- blocking chamber 80, the supplement valve 86 is opened and thus the detection agent 42 in the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80 flows back to the detection pipe 40. Preferably, the supplement valve 86 is installed outside the transparent housing 60, so that the supplement valve 86 can be controlled without opening the housing 60.

[42] FlG. 6 illustrates the housing and internal components in the housing, which are integrated into a single body through an injection molding method. As shown in FlG. 6, the detection pipe 40 and detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80 are linked in the housing 60, and the housing 60 can be made of acryl-based or polycarbonate-based resin. In this instance, all internal components other than the detection agent outflow- blocking chamber 80 are injection-molded along with the housing 60, and thus integrated into a single body. Further, an inflow end connection port 90 of the detection pipe 40 and an outflow end connection port 90 of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber 80 are injection-molded along with the housing 60 to be formed in a form such that they are externally inserted into the housing 60. Alternatively, as shown in FlG. 6, the inflow end connection port 90 and the outflow end connection port 90 of the detection pipe 40 can be injection-molded along with the housing 60 in the form that they are pulled out from the housing 60. Further, in either case, whether the housing is formed as a single body or in an assembled manner, a plurality of connection ports 90 is provided outside the housing 60, extending vertically and horizontally, so that the gas leakage detection apparatus according to the present invention can be easily connected to the middle valve body 20 in either case, whether the middle valve body 20 is installed along a horizontal line or a vertical line of the main pipe 10. The connection port 90, which is not connected to any element, is sealed using a lid, which is not shown, in order to block the outflow of gas.

[43] Even though not described above, the gas leakage detection apparatus according to the present invention is fixed to the middle valve body, or a user can carry the apparatus and then use it by connecting it to the middle valve body at a work location. Further, the level sensor of the gas leakage detection apparatus according to the present invention can be connected to a blocking apparatus which blocks gas flow in the middle valve body or the main pipe when gas leakage is detected by the level sensor. Still further, the level sensor can be connected to a solenoid valve which blocks gas flow in the main pipe when a signal from the level sensor is sent to the solenoid valve.

[44] The above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings are disclosed for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the details of the present invention, rather than for the purpose of limiting the scope and the technical spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[45]

Industrial Applicability

[46] According to the present invention, the gas leakage detection apparatus is designed in a manner such that gas pressures between a gas inflow side and a gas outflow side of the detection pipe are different if even a small crack is formed in the detection pipe, so that a small amount of leaked gas is detected with high sensitivity. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent gas accidents.

[47] Further, if the detection agent in the detection pipe overflows, the detection agent is separated from gas, and then the detection agent is stored in the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber, and the gas alone is separately discharged. That is, it is possible to prevent ignition failure of gas appliances.

[48] Still further, since the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber and the detection pipe are connected by the detection agent supplement pipe, the detection agent can be easily supplemented when the detection agent overflows.

[49] Yet further, since the movement of the detection agent is detected by the level sensor and a warning signal is generated when gas leakage is detected, it is possible to check for gas leakage both visually and using the electrical warning signal. Accordingly, the reliability of detection of gas leakage is increased and a real-time unmanned gas leakage monitoring system can be established.

[50] Yet further, since components such as the detection pipe and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber are integrated with the housing into a single unit because they are manufactured through an injection molding process, it is possible to maximize productivity.

[51]

Claims

[1] A gas leakage detection apparatus installed to be connected to a middle valve body of a main pipe through which gas flows for detecting gas leakage, comprising: an inflow pipe connected to an inflow end of the middle valve body and having an inflow valve for controlling gas inflow from the main pipe; a detection pipe, which is reversely U-shaped and connected to the inflow pipe; an outflow pipe connected between the detection pipe and an outflow end of the middle valve body for controlling gas outflow to the main pipe; and a detection agent charged in the detection pipe and moved back and forth in the detection pipe by a difference between gas pressures of the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe.

[2] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection pipe has a diameter in a range from 1 millimeter to 8 millimeters.

[3] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detection pipe is received in a housing having a portion which is transparent or semi- transparent, so that a state of the detection pipe can be visually checked from outside the housing.

[4] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a level sensor installed on the detection pipe for detecting a height of the detection agent and for creating a warning signal corresponding to a detection signal of the level sensor.

[5] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a detection agent outflow-blocking chamber installed between the detection pipe and the outflow pipe, so that the detection agent overflowing from the detection pipe is stored in a lower part thereof and gas supplied from the detection pipe is discharged through an upper part thereof.

[6] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a separation pipe connected between an outflow end of the detection pipe and an inflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber for separating the detection agent from gas when the detection agent is introduced into the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber, wherein the separation pipe has a relatively large diameter in comparison with the detection pipe and is inclined down to the inflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber.

[7] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a detection agent supplement pipe connected between the lower part of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber and the lower part of the detection pipe, with a supplement valve installed on the detection agent supplement pipe for controlling supplementation of the detection agent.

[8] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the detection pipe and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber are received in the housing having a portion which is transparent or semitransparent, so that states of the detection pipe and the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber can be visually checked through the transparent or semitransparent portion of the housing.

[9] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 8, further comprising: graduation marks provided on the surface of the housing at a portion at which the detection pipe is shown, to allow a user to easily check height of the detection agent in the detection pipe.

[10] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inflow end of the detection pipe is connected to a plurality of connection ports.

[11] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the outflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber is connected to a plurality of connection ports.

[12] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing is structured in a manner such that a path of the detection pipe is formed in the housing and the inflow end and the outflow end of the detection pipe are connected to connection ports, and the detection pipe and the housing are integrated into a single body through an injection molding method using acryl- based or polycarbonate-based resin.

[13] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the housing is injection-molded using acryl-based or polycarbonate-based resin in a manner such that the housing has a path of the detection pipe and a space of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber therein, and has the inflow end of the detection pipe and the outflow end of the detection agent outflow-blocking chamber, which are connected to connection ports, at an outside thereof.

[14] The gas leakage detection apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the housing is injection-molded such that graduation marks are formed on the surface of the housing at a portion at which the detection pipe is visible from outside.