JP4554634B2 - Flange coupling member and pipeline abnormality detection apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an abnormality detection device that detects an abnormality in a pipeline through which a fluid such as oil, slurry, or gas flows. In particular, when fluids such as oil, ice water, and gas passing through the pipeline are constantly monitored unattended, if abnormal conditions such as fluid leakage from the pipeline or deformation of the pipeline are detected, The present invention relates to an apparatus for detecting an abnormality in a pipeline that prevents the fluid from leaking from the pipeline by reporting or displaying the information or automatically shutting off the pipeline.
In addition, this abnormality detection device can notify the central control room of the abnormal state of the pipeline in real time using wireless communication means such as a mobile phone. Furthermore, as an anomaly detection device that does not require a special power supply by using power from a small generator that generates electricity using fluid flowing in the pipeline for power supply to electronic circuits and control equipment in the detection device Yes.

Conventionally, maintenance and inspection of pipelines and the like have been carried out by manned personnel, and the total length of piping such as oil fields and natural gas may reach several hundred km, so it is very difficult to manage them.
In general, a fluid meter (for example, a gas meter) provided in a pipeline for flowing gas detects a flow rate by a sensor, calculates a flow rate by a microcomputer (electronic circuit) or the like based on the detection result, and a flow rate exceeding a predetermined amount. Is detected, the shutoff valve is driven to stop the flow rate (Patent Document 1).

JP2002-156258

However, these conventional control devices and flow rate detection devices always require power supply from a battery (built-in battery).

In addition, these measuring devices including fluid meters and the like perform manned management of inspection and maintenance of flow rate and the like.

On the other hand, the power supply by the battery built in the flow rate detection device is constant, and its life is limited. Further, when the function of the apparatus is improved or when real-time information is transmitted wirelessly, it is necessary to increase the capacity of the battery, and there are disadvantages such as an increase in the weight and shape of the entire system.

Moreover, when installing a detection apparatus, a large sized battery, etc. in a flow path, those installation places have a restriction | limiting and the performance etc. of the detection apparatus had a problem by the skill level etc. of a field worker.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and its purpose is to transmit a real-time control information and a power supply system using a unique power source that applies energy generated by fluid movement and differential pressure to a power generation function. A control device that enables it, and in addition, when there is a crack or breakage in a gas supply pipeline due to an earthquake or disaster, a pipeline abnormality detection device that automatically shuts off the pipeline, etc. It is to provide.

In the present invention, the abnormality of the pipeline can be detected easily and promptly by the information from the sensor means operated by the unique power source, and the flow of the fluid can be shut off, so that the safety is greatly improved. In addition, it becomes very easy to identify a damaged part and a damaged place in all the flow paths, and it is possible to repair them in a short time.

Further, according to the present invention, when the fluid flowing in from the inlet portion of the fluid coupling portion passes through the outlet portion and fluid leakage is detected from a joint or the like, the fluid is immediately blocked and the valve is closed. At this time, in order to be able to judge the opening and closing of the valve even in a remote place, the measurement data in a real-time to the microcomputer (control device) and the piping center management command center in the remote place, Information is transmitted by communication means such as a mobile phone.
The power required for valve operation, information transmission and information analysis is transmitted to the rotating shaft by the pressure, vibration and movement of the fluid flowing in the pipe and generated by a small generator. Use power. The supplied power is charged into a storage battery and supplied to the system.

As another power generation method, AC power is detected in the pickup coil according to an alternating magnetic flux generated by rotating a rotating body according to a fluid flow and simultaneously rotating a magnet installed around the rotating body. It is also possible to adopt a power generation method in which AC power detected by the pickup coil is rectified by a rectifier circuit and converted into DC power by smoothing and supplied to an electronic circuit or the like.

In addition, the present invention is an integrally molded device in which the charging device and the fluid flow and leak detection device are inserted into a flange constituting a joint of the pipeline in the detection device described above. The microcomputer (control device), the data transmission device, and the like have terminals that can be connected to the outside depending on the installation status of the piping.

In the detection of fluid leakage, etc., a conductive sheet is attached to the outside of the packing ring in the flange joint. A signal can be obtained from the result by the detection circuit.

Furthermore, when pipes with flanges are connected to form a pipe runi, a strain detection sensor is placed in the bolts that fasten the flanges. It is also possible to be able to communicate to the device.

Therefore, the problem solving means adopted by the present invention is:
A flange coupling member for coupling a flange, wherein the flange coupling member is a bolt, and a piezoelectric element is provided in the bolt body, and the piezoelectric element has a control for judging deformation of the bolt based on a signal from the piezoelectric element. The flange coupling member is characterized in that the devices are connected .
The control device is a flange coupling member characterized in that an external communication means is connectable via a connection connector .
Further, the control device is a flange coupling member provided with wireless communication means .
Further, the output from the control device is a flange coupling member configured to be able to be displayed on the display means .
Further, in a pipeline configured by fastening a flanged pipe using the flange coupling member according to any one of the above, a pipeline is generated by an output from a piezo element provided in a bolt body constituting the flange coupling member. An apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a pipeline, characterized in that the deformation of the flange is detected .
The apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a pipeline according to claim 1, wherein a conductive sheet for detecting leakage of fluid from the pipeline or deformation of the pipeline is attached to the main body of the pipeline.
The pipeline abnormality detection device is characterized in that information detected by the flange coupling member and / or the conductive sheet can be analyzed and displayed by a control device.
Further, the controller determines whether the fluid leaks based on the signal from the flange coupling member and / or the conductive sheet, and controls the opening / closing of the shut-off valve for shutting off the pipe. The shut-off valve is controlled by the signal from the control device. An apparatus for detecting an abnormality in a pipeline, wherein the apparatus is operated to shut off a pipe .
The conductive sheet, the control device, and the shutoff valve are arranged in a void formed in a flange portion of the pipe.
The control apparatus is configured to be connected to an external communication unit via a connection connector so that the abnormality is detected in the pipeline.
Further, the control device is a pipeline abnormality detection device comprising a wireless communication means.
The output from the control device is a pipeline abnormality detection device characterized in that it can be displayed on a display means.

As described above, the pipeline abnormality detection apparatus according to the present invention supplies at least sensor means (detection unit) for detecting flow rate and leakage, and electric power to be supplied to the operation circuit of the sensor means. With this device, it is possible to smoothly and unmannedly perform maintenance management of piping for transporting fluids at the time of disaster and in dangerous areas. In addition, since a unique small generator is used as the power supply method, it is possible to eliminate the need to transmit power supply from the detection unit or the like from a remote location and to periodically replace the battery. In addition, the abnormality detection device includes a control device that analyzes information from the sensor means, a valve control means that can control the operation of the valve according to a response of a detection unit that detects fluid leakage, and a valve operation device. As a result, when an abnormality occurs in the pipeline, it is possible to achieve an excellent effect such as blocking the pipeline and reliably preventing leakage of fluid from the pipeline.

The invention according to the present invention provides a coupling member for a flange portion such as a pipeline accompanying fluid transfer of gas, water, oil, etc., and an abnormality detection device for detecting fluid leakage from the pipeline and pipeline abnormality using the same. To do.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 (a) is a side view and a front view of a flow path flange portion incorporating a pipeline abnormality detection device as an embodiment. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of a bolt for fastening the flanges together, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state in which each component is housed in the flange portion in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a control block for the power generation unit and the shut-off valve.

1-3, 100 is a pipe flange part, 101 is a pipe main body, 102 is the flange formed in the pipe, The hole 102 for fastening bolts for connecting the flange of a coupling other party side to the flange 102 is shown. Is formed. As shown in (b), the fastening bolt 106 for coupling the flange is configured by embedding a piezo element 107 therein. When the fastening bolt is deformed, the piezo element 107 deforms the deformation via the cable 109. Can be detected immediately. In the figure, reference numeral 108 denotes a sleeve. By using the required number of bolts having the sensor function, it is possible to prevent an increase in cost. Furthermore, the element for detecting the deformation of the fastening bolt is not limited to the piezo element, and various elements that can achieve the same function can be used. On the flange surface, there is formed a ring storage portion 104 into which a seal ring, which will be described later, can be fitted, and a storage portion 105 in which sensor means (conductive sheet) is disposed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the flange 102 and the main body 101 of the pipe flange portion 100 of this embodiment is processed into a cavity 106, and the sensor means 1 (flow sensor) and the control device (micrometer) are formed around the cavity 106 portion and its periphery. Computer) 2, Connector 3 to which external communication devices can be connected, valve control device 4, valve movable device 5, other sensor means (conductive sheet) 6, ring 7, valve storage box 8, shut-off valve (pneumatic operation valve) ) 9, power generation unit 20 (the power generation unit 20 includes a generator 10, a mission (accelerator) 11, a power generation propeller 12, and a fluid acceleration nozzle 13), a secondary storage battery 14, and a high-pressure gas 15 are accommodated as illustrated. Is arranged. It should be noted that the control device 2 and the valve control device 4 described above can be replaced by a single computer, and it goes without saying that the arrangement of each component can be freely changed according to the purpose. Nor.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device (microcomputer) 2 includes a rectifier circuit 21, two sensor means (conductive sheet 6, flow sensor 1), an external connection connector 3, a known external communication device device 22, The control circuit 2 is connected to the valve control circuit 4 and the fastening bolt 106 with a sensor function, and the control circuit 2 is driven based on information from the conductive sheet 6, the flow sensor 1, and the fastening bolt 106. The operating device 5 is driven to open and close the shut-off valve (pneumatic operating valve) 9. In addition, by preparing a connection connector 3 to the control device 2, an external known communication device device can be appropriately connected (such as a communication device as needed via the connection connector 3 shown in FIG. 2). In addition, the secondary storage battery 14 can store the electric power generated by the power generation unit 20 via the rectifier circuit 21. It has become.

In FIG. 2, the power generation propeller 12 constituting the power generation unit 20 is rotated by the fluid flowing in the pipe, and the generator 10 is driven by the rotation of the power generation propeller 12 via the speed increasing mission 11. And generate electricity. As described above, the generated power is charged into the secondary storage battery 14 via the rectifier circuit 21, and the secondary storage battery 14 is applied to each component that requires driving power, such as the control circuit, the valve control device, and the valve operating device. The power can be supplied via an electric circuit (not shown).
Further, sensor means (flow sensor) 1 for detecting a change in flow rate is installed at the inlet of the fluid of the pipe so that the flow rate state can be analyzed by the control device 2. Further, the conductive sheet 6 as sensor means can detect the amount of fluid leaking from the seal ring 7, and the fluid leakage state can be analyzed by the control device 2 by this detection. Further, the control device 2 instructs the valve control device 4 to urgently close the valve based on the analysis result. In addition, a bypass circuit can be formed in a pipe main body, and only a power generation part can be arrange | positioned in the bypass circuit. By doing in this way, resistance by a power generation part can be decreased, while a fluid flows in a pipe.

In the present embodiment, a fluid acceleration nozzle 13 is formed in order to increase the flow speed of the fluid between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the pipe flange portion, and the power generation rotary shaft is placed at an appropriate position downstream of the nozzle 13. A plurality of fixed power generation propellers 12 are arranged. A mission 11 for further increasing the rotation of the power generation propeller 12 is arranged so that the generator 10 can be driven in an accelerated state. The secondary battery 14 is charged with the current generated by the generator 10.

The shut-off valve mechanism that closes the pipeline when a fluid leak is detected is generated by a valve control device 4 that operates according to a command from the control device 2 and a valve operating device (adicanatrium or the like is burned together with an oxidant to generate high-pressure gas by a chemical change. System) 5 and a shut-off valve (pneumatic actuated valve) 9, the valve control device 4 is actuated by a command from the control device 2, high pressure gas is generated by the valve actuating device 5, and the pneumatic actuated valve 9 is inflated to produce fluid The fluid flow is closed to stop the movement of the fluid.
However, the valve opening / closing method is not limited to this method, and various valves can be used as long as they can achieve the function of the present invention in the currently known valves such as electromagnetic valves.

Next, a method for detecting when a crack, fatigue failure, deformation or the like has occurred in the pipe body will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, a conductive sheet (film) 6 is attached to an arbitrary location outside the pipe body 101 (a location where deformation or leakage is likely to occur). When the pipe surface or the like is damaged due to a disaster or fatigue failure, the fluid flows out from the location, the pipe outer shape is deformed, or the fluid leaks from the seal ring 7 shown in FIG. The conductive sheet 6 is deformed, and the deformation is detected from the change in the strain resistance value, and the shutoff valves 9 arranged before and after the target pipe are inflated to close the pipe, thereby minimizing accidents and the like. To.

The detection principle for detecting the fluid leakage will be described with reference to the change detection principle for water leakage and the like shown in FIG. A known variable resistor is installed on the conductive sheet 6 used in this detection apparatus. When the resistance value is changed due to the deformation of the conductive sheet 6, detection by the Wheatstone bridge circuit 6a is performed in order to obtain the amount of change. Further, in order to amplify the obtained resistance value on the circuit, it is obtained as an output current through the amplifier 6b. The current change amount is transmitted as a signal to the microcomputer, and the fluid leakage state is analyzed and calculated based on a map, a threshold value, and the like obtained in advance. Information from the fastening bolt 106 with a sensor function for fastening the flange is also detected in the same manner as the detection method using the conductive sheet 6, and the shutoff valve can be closed by this information.

A flow path abnormality detection method having the above configuration will be described.
In a pipeline abnormality detection device consisting of a power generation unit, rectifier circuit, and secondary storage battery, power is generated by turning a power generation propeller using fluid flowing in the pipe, and the power supplied from the generator is converted to DC power by the rectifier circuit. And charge the secondary storage battery. With this electric power, the flow sensor (flow rate detection sensor) and the conductive sheet are set in an operating state, and detection by each sensor is started. The signal obtained from the sensor is directly displayed on the display unit as a leakage signal, or transmitted to the microcomputer 2 for analysis as necessary.

This analysis is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.
Specifically, when power is generated by the generator in step 1, the power is transmitted to the sensor directly or via a secondary storage battery. In step 2, the sensor detects a change in flow rate or leakage, or deformation of the fastening bolt. If the flow rate changes or leaks, the information is analyzed by the microcomputer in step 3. If it is determined from this analysis result that the fluid is leaking from the pipe, in step 4, the flow rate and the amount of leakage of the fluid are measured based on information from the valve control, and it is determined whether or not the valve control is performed. When the value is exceeded, the information is notified to the command center in Step 5, and in Step 6, the valve movable device (method of generating high pressure gas by chemical change by burning adicanatrium etc. with oxidizing agent) 5 is activated. Then close the valve. Further, in step 7, the position of the shutoff valve is confirmed, and the information is notified to the command center in step 8. In step 4, when the flow rate and the amount of leakage are not more than predetermined values, the information is fed back to step 3 and used as data for analysis by the microcomputer.

Information in the microcomputer is wirelessly transmitted to a remote base as necessary, and the status of the pipeline can be analyzed in real time at the base. These necessary powers are covered by power from the secondary storage battery. This eliminates the need for a special external power supply.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, although the power generation mechanism uses a power generation method based on a fluid flow, it is also possible to use a power generation method or the like by a piston motion due to a fluid pressure difference. In addition, the valve that shuts off the pipeline is not limited to the pneumatic operation valve, and any valve that is currently known in the fluid industry, such as an electromagnetic valve, can be used as long as it can achieve this function. . Also, the number of generators, the number of sensors, and other auxiliary power supply circuits can be installed as necessary. For valve control from a remote location shown in the present embodiment, it is possible to arbitrarily install communication equipment or the like as needed via the external connection connector 3 shown in FIG. Moreover, when visual management according to need is required, a display device or the like can be connected in the vicinity of the flange portion. In addition, the sensor means can use a flow sensor, a conductive sheet, and a fastening bolt at the same time on one flange part, but it is also possible to appropriately combine each sensor or use only one, In this case, the type and installation position of the sensor can be appropriately selected at the time of design.
In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit and main features thereof. For this reason, the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and should not be interpreted in a limited manner. Further, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for management and maintenance inspection of a core cooling water distribution pipe route of a nuclear power plant, pipelines for oil fields and natural gas, pipes for water supply, and the like.

(A) is a side view and a front view of a flow path flange portion incorporating a pipeline abnormality detection device as an embodiment, and (b) is a partial cross-sectional view of a bolt that fastens the flanges together. It is sectional drawing of the piping joint with a flange of this invention. It is a control block of a power generation part and a shutoff valve. It is sectional drawing which shows the attachment state of change amount detection sensors, such as a water leak. It is a circuit diagram of a variation detection sensor such as water leakage. It is a flowchart until it detects a change amount, such as water leakage, and closes a cutoff valve.

Explanation of symbols

1 Flow sensor (sensor means)
2 Control device (microcomputer)
3 External connector 4 Valve control device 5 Valve movable device 6 Conductive sheet (sensor means)
7 Ring 8 Valve storage box 9 Shut-off valve (pneumatic actuated valve)
10 Generator 11 Mission (Accelerator)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Electric power generation propeller 13 Fluid acceleration nozzle 14 Secondary storage battery 15 High pressure gas 20 Electric power generation part 21 Rectifier circuit 100 Pipe flange part 101 Main body 102 Flange 103 Hole for fastening bolt 104 Ring storage part 105 Sensor part storage part 106 Fastening bolt 107 Piezo element 108 Sleeve 109 Cable

Claims (12)

A flange coupling member for coupling a flange, wherein the flange coupling member is a bolt, and a piezoelectric element is provided in the bolt body, and the piezoelectric element has a control for judging deformation of the bolt based on a signal from the piezoelectric element. A flange coupling member, wherein the devices are connected. The flange coupling member according to claim 1, wherein an external communication unit is connectable to the control device via a connection connector. The flange coupling member according to claim 2, wherein the control device includes a wireless communication unit. The flange coupling member according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the output from the control device can be displayed on a display means. In a pipeline configured by fastening a flanged pipe using the flange coupling member according to any one of claims 1 to 5, by an output from a piezoelectric element provided in a bolt body constituting the flange coupling member. An apparatus for detecting an abnormality in a pipeline characterized by detecting deformation of a flange of the pipeline. 6. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to claim 5, wherein a conductive sheet for detecting leakage of fluid from the pipeline or deformation of the pipeline is attached to the main body of the pipeline. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to claim 6, wherein information detected by the flange coupling member and / or the conductive sheet can be analyzed and displayed by a control device. Based on the signal from the flange coupling member and / or the conductive sheet, the leakage of the fluid is judged and the opening and closing of the shutoff valve for shutting off the pipe is controlled by the control device, and the shutoff valve is operated by the signal from the control device. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to claim 7, wherein the pipe is shut off. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the conductive sheet, the control device, and the shut-off valve are disposed in a void formed in a flange portion of the pipe. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein an external communication unit is connectable to the control device via a connection connector. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the control device includes a wireless communication unit. The pipeline abnormality detection device according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the output from the control device is configured to be displayed on a display means.

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