JP3411329B2 - Flow control device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to adjusting means for adjusting the flow rate of a fluid, storage means for storing a target operation amount of the adjusting means with respect to a set target flow rate, and flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the fluid. A control unit that operates the adjusting unit with the target operation amount that is obtained based on the storage information of the storage unit, and the control unit that executes the control so that the detected flow rate of the flow rate detection unit becomes the set target flow rate. And a correction unit that corrects the target manipulated variable.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of flow rate adjusting device,
Remaining time available for flow regulator, or "life expectancy"
The life expectancy estimation means for estimating the remaining life is obtained by subtracting the total usage time from the preset total usage time by measuring means for measuring the usage time of the flow rate adjusting device to determine the remaining life. Was configured to estimate.

[0003]

However, according to the above-mentioned prior art, in the preset total use time and total use time of the flow rate adjusting device, the use of each flow rate adjusting device is different for each flow rate adjusting device. Because it is not possible to reflect the difference in the situation, for example, due to the difference in the change over time and the degree of deterioration of each flow rate control device, even if the total usage time is the same, the deterioration state of each flow rate control device Since the estimated life expectancy and the actual life expectancy do not match, the life expectancy cannot be accurately estimated. An object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks.

[0004]

The first characteristic configuration of the flow rate adjusting device according to the present invention can be used until the correction amount reaches the set maximum allowable amount based on the change with time of the correction amount by the correction means. There is provided a life expectancy estimating means for estimating a life expectancy and a safety means operating based on the estimated life expectancy of the life expectancy estimating means.

A second characteristic configuration of the flow rate adjusting device according to the present invention specifies a preferred specific configuration for implementing the first characteristic configuration, and the second characteristic configuration is that the life expectancy estimating means, It is configured to estimate the usable time until the correction amount reaches the set allowable maximum amount as the life expectancy.

A third characteristic configuration is that the life expectancy estimating means is
It is configured to estimate the number of usable days until the correction amount reaches the set allowable maximum amount as the remaining life.

A fourth characteristic configuration is that the safety means is a display means for displaying the estimated remaining life.

A fifth characteristic configuration is that the safety means is an alarm means which is activated when the estimated life expectancy becomes equal to or less than a set value.

In a sixth characteristic configuration, the adjusting means is a fan for ventilating the combustion air into the burner, and the storage means has a target ventilation amount determined corresponding to the fuel supply amount to the burner. Thus, the target rotation speed of the fan with respect to the fuel supply amount is stored, the control means is configured to operate the fan to the target rotation speed, and the correction means is configured to operate the target rotation speed. The safety means is a fuel supply amount limiting means that reduces the maximum fuel supply amount to the burner to a decreasing side when the estimated life expectancy is equal to or less than a set value.

[0010]

According to a first characterizing feature of the the present invention, remaining life estimation means, based on the temporal change of the correction amount by the correction means estimates the available life expectancy of up correction amount reaches the set allowable maximum amount If the deterioration state of each flow rate adjusting device is different, the correction amount of the correction means and its change over time are also different, so the correction amount is set to the maximum allowable amount based on the change over time of the correction amount. By estimating the available life until reaching the flow rate, each flow rate control device
It is possible to estimate the available life expectancy.

According to the second characteristic configuration, the life expectancy estimating means is configured to estimate, as the life expectancy, the usable time until the correction amount reaches the set allowable maximum amount. It is possible to obtain the remaining usable time for each flow rate adjusting device while reflecting the difference in the usage status.

According to the third characteristic configuration, the life expectancy estimating means is configured to estimate the number of usable days until the correction amount reaches the set allowable maximum amount as the life expectancy, so that each flow rate adjusting device It is possible to obtain the remaining usable days for each flow rate adjusting device while reflecting the difference in the usage status.

According to the fourth characteristic configuration, since the safety means is a display means for displaying the estimated life expectancy, the user can know the life expectancy for each flow rate adjusting device when using the flow rate adjusting device. it can.

According to the fifth characteristic configuration, the safety means is an alarm means which is activated when the estimated life expectancy becomes equal to or less than the set value. Therefore, before the user completely exhausts the life expectancy of the flow rate adjusting device, the life expectancy is reduced. You can know that

According to the sixth characterizing construction, the compensating means for compensating the target rotational speed of the fan for ventilating the combustion air into the burner is constructed to estimate the life expectancy based on the change over time of the compensation amount, and the safety is ensured. Since the means is the fuel supply amount limiting means that reduces the maximum fuel supply amount to the burner to the decreasing side when the estimated life expectancy becomes equal to or less than the set value, the difference in the usage status of each flow rate adjusting device, that is, in each fan The life expectancy can be accurately estimated in a state in which the linting situation and the ventilation obstacles in the air supply passage and the exhaust passage are reflected, and even when the estimated life expectancy is equal to or less than the set value, Burner combustion can be safely continued.

[0016]

According to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, it is possible to estimate the usable life expectancy of each flow rate adjusting device while reflecting the difference in the usage status of each flow rate adjusting device. It is possible to provide a flow rate adjusting device capable of performing accurate life expectancy estimation in which the estimated usable life expectancy and the actual usable life expectancy match.

According to the second characteristic configuration, the remaining usable time for each flow rate adjusting device can be obtained in a state in which the difference in the usage status of each flow rate adjusting device is reflected.
It is possible to provide a flow rate adjusting device capable of grasping the life expectancy of each flow rate adjusting device, the difference in the usage state or the difference in the state of deterioration, and the like depending on time.

According to the third characteristic configuration, since the remaining usable days of each flow rate adjusting device can be obtained in a state in which the difference in the usage status of each flow rate adjusting device is reflected,
It is possible to provide a flow rate adjusting device capable of grasping the life expectancy of each flow rate adjusting device and the difference in the usage state or the state of deterioration according to the number of days.

According to the fourth characteristic configuration, since the user can know the life expectancy of each flow rate adjusting device when the flow rate adjusting device is used, the user can see the difference in the usage status of each flow rate adjusting device. Or, it is possible to grasp the difference in the state of deterioration, etc., it is possible to perform maintenance etc. in advance before the life is exhausted, and the inconvenience that suddenly becomes unusable is eliminated. Can be provided.

According to the fifth characteristic configuration, the user can know that the remaining life is short before the life of the flow rate adjusting device is completely exhausted, so that the user will never forget the life. It is possible to provide a flow rate control device that can be preliminarily subjected to maintenance in advance and the inconvenience of suddenly becoming unusable is eliminated.

According to the sixth characteristic configuration, the life expectancy can be accurately estimated in a state in which the linting condition in each fan and the ventilation condition in the air supply passage and the exhaust passage are reflected. Since the burner combustion can be safely continued even when the estimated life expectancy becomes equal to or less than the set value, each flow rate adjusting device can be used in a state where the capacity of the fan is maximized.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a fan 4 as an adjusting unit for adjusting the flow rate of a fluid, a storage unit 12e as a storage unit for storing a target operation amount of the fan 4 corresponding to the target flow rate, and a flow rate detection for detecting the flow rate of the fluid. Oxygen sensor 16 as means
And a fan control unit 12c as a control unit that operates the fan 4 with a target operation amount obtained based on the storage information of the storage unit 12e, and a fan control unit so that the flow rate detected by the oxygen sensor 16 becomes the target flow rate. There is shown a hot water supply device as a flow rate adjusting device provided with a correction unit 12d as a correction means for correcting the target operation amount executed by 12c.

The hot water supply apparatus is configured such that a water pipe type heat exchanger 1, a burner 2 for heating the heat exchanger 1, a combustion air a for the burner 2 and a combustion exhaust gas eg after passing through the heat exchanger. A fan 4 for discharging the gas to the outside through the exhaust passage 3 is provided.

The water supply passage 5 to the heat exchanger 1 is provided with a water temperature sensor 6 for detecting the water supply temperature ti and a water amount sensor 7 for detecting the water supply amount W, and the hot water supply passage 8 from the heat exchanger 1 is provided. Hot water temperature to
A hot water temperature sensor 9 for detecting the temperature is provided.

Reference numeral 10 is a fuel supply passage for supplying the fuel gas g to the burner 2, and 11 is an electromagnetic proportional valve for intermittently supplying the fuel gas and for adjusting the fuel gas supply amount Ip.

Reference numeral 12 is a control device. The control device 12 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, and is configured so that various operations of the hot water supply device can be controlled by installed software. The control device 12 includes an ignition extinguishing operation unit 1 that starts and stops combustion operation.
2a, a hot water temperature adjusting unit 12b that adjusts the hot water supply temperature to by adjusting the fuel supply amount Ip (that is, adjusting the combustion amount), and the supply amount of the combustion air a by operating the rotation speed of the fan 4 to the target rotation speed. And a storage unit 12e as a storage unit that stores the target rotation speed N of the fan 4 with respect to the fuel supply amount Ip so that the target ventilation amount is set corresponding to the fuel supply amount to the burner 2. In addition, a correction unit 12d as a correction unit that corrects the target rotation speed is provided. Further, the control device 12 is provided with a time measuring means such as a clock, and is configured to be able to measure various times required for the control operation.

The ignition extinguishing operation section 12a detects the amount of water in the water amount sensor 7 when the hot water tap 13 is opened, and the solenoid proportional valve 1 is detected.
1, the ignition mechanism 14 is operated to start the combustion operation of the burner 2, and the solenoid proportional valve 11 is closed by the non-detection of the water amount by the water amount sensor 7 when the hot water tap 13 is closed. The combustion operation of 2 is stopped.

The hot water temperature adjusting section 12b, as shown in FIG.
From the detected water supply amount W and the set target hot water supply temperature ts, the target hot water supply temperature is calculated by the feed forward calculation using the following formula.
The fuel supply amount Ip 'required to obtain ts is calculated, and Ip' = k · W · (ts−ti) Required correction is made by feed back calculation based on the deviation Δto between the detected hot water supply temperature to and the target hot water supply temperature ts. Calculate the value ΔIp,
Necessary correction value ΔI by the feed back calculation for the fuel supply amount Ip ′ calculated by the feed forward calculation
By adding p, the adjustment target value of fuel supply amount Ip (=
Ip '+ ΔIp) is determined.

The hot water temperature adjusting section 12b is provided in the control unit 1.
2 based on the setting function F1 of the fuel supply amount Ip and the proportional valve current i (operating current value for the solenoid proportional valve 11) stored in the second storage unit 12e. The amount Ip is adjusted to a value corresponding to the above target value, whereby the actual fuel supply amount Ip to the burner 2 is adjusted to the target value, and the hot water supply temperature to is adjusted and maintained at the target hot water supply temperature ts. Has been done.

On the other hand, the fan control unit 12c sets a function of the fuel supply amount Ip and the fan rotation speed N stored in the storage unit 12e, which gives an air supply amount of an appropriate air-fuel ratio to each fuel supply amount Ip. Based on F2, the fan rotation speed N corresponding to the above target value of the fuel supply amount Ip is determined as the target rotation speed N, and the fan rotation speed N is detected by the target rotation speed N and the rotation speed sensor 15. Based on the deviation ΔN from the detected value, the fan rotational speed N is adjusted so that the detected value matches the target rotational speed N.

Further, the relationship between the fan rotation speed N and the actual air supply amount Q changes due to variations in the device characteristics of each device, changes over time in the device characteristics, or the occurrence of ventilation obstacles in the air path or exhaust path 3. In order to prevent the air-fuel ratio from deviating from the optimum value due to that, in this water heater, an oxygen sensor 16 for detecting the oxygen concentration x in the combustion exhaust gas eg is provided in the exhaust passage 3, and The controller 12 is equipped with a correction unit 12d for correcting the adjustment of the fan rotation speed N by the fan control unit 12c based on the detection information of the oxygen sensor 16. The oxygen sensor 16 functions as a flow rate detection unit that detects the air supply amount Q as the flow rate of the fluid by detecting the oxygen concentration x in the combustion exhaust gas eg in a state where the air-fuel ratio is out of the optimum value. .

The correction unit 12d calculates the fuel supply amount Ip,
Based on the setting function F3 stored in the storage unit 12e and the oxygen concentration x in the combustion exhaust gas generated at the optimum air-fuel ratio at each fuel supply amount Ip, the concentration value corresponding to the target value of the fuel supply amount Ip is set to oxygen. The target rotation speed N in the fan control unit 12c is set as the adjustment target value of the concentration x, and the target rotation speed N in the fan control unit 12c is eliminated according to the deviation Δx between the target value of the oxygen concentration x and the value detected by the oxygen sensor 16. Correction target (i.e., when the detected value of oxygen concentration x is smaller than the target value, the target rotation speed N is corrected to the increasing side, and when the detected value of oxygen concentration x is larger than the target value, the target value is corrected). The rotational speed N is corrected to the decreasing side.

The specific correction form is based on the following equation. N (correction value) ← N (decision value based on setting function F2) +
k · Δx where k is a constant. Therefore, k · Δx is the correction amount of the fan rotation speed N by the correction unit 12d.

The control unit 12 includes a correction unit 12d.
Based on the change over time in the correction amount k
Display the estimated life expectancy L as a life expectancy estimation unit 12f as a life expectancy estimation unit that estimates the life expectancy L until Δx reaches the set allowable maximum amount, and as a safety measure that operates based on the estimated life expectancy L of the life expectancy estimation unit 12f. There is provided a display unit 12g as a display unit for operating and an alarm unit 12h as an alarm unit that operates when the estimated life expectancy L becomes equal to or less than a set value.

The life expectancy estimating unit 12f is configured to calculate the estimated life expectancy L of the water heater according to the following equation based on the correction amount k · Δx by the correcting unit 12d. First, the following relational expression holds between the limit rotational speed Llim of the fan 4 and the correction amount k · Δx. Llim = Nm + k · Δx + L · k · (Δx-Δ
x ') / h Here, Nm is the target rotation speed of the fan 4 corresponding to the maximum fuel supply amount Ipmax of the burner 2 as a determination value based on the setting function F2. Δx is the value of the current deviation of the oxygen concentration x by the oxygen sensor 16, so the term k · Δx is the current correction amount. L is an estimated life expectancy (time). Δx ′ is a past deviation value. Past deviation Δ
x ′ is stored in the storage unit 12e. h is Δx '
This is the total usage time of the water heater from the time when is stored to the present. The total usage time h is measured by the time measuring means. Therefore, k · (Δx−Δx ′) / h is the correction amount k
・ It shows the change of Δx with time, and L ・ k ・ (Δx-Δ
The term x ′) / h is the increment of the correction amount k · Δx estimated to increase during the time L.

Therefore, if the above equation is rearranged for L, then L = h (Llim-Nm-kΔx) / k (Δx-
Δx ′), and the value of the correction amount k · Δx will change with time k ·
It is estimated that the value (corrected value) of the fan rotation speed N corresponding to the maximum fuel supply amount Ipmax reaches the limit rotation speed Llim, assuming that it increases according to (Δx−Δx ′) / h. The total usage time after this, that is, the estimated life expectancy L is obtained.

Therefore, the life expectancy estimating unit 12f determines the correction amount k.
The available time until Δx reaches the set allowable maximum amount is estimated as the life expectancy L.

The graph shown in FIG. 3 shows a method of calculating the estimated life expectancy L in this embodiment. The total horizontal operating time H of the water heater is shown on the horizontal axis of the graph, and the value of the fan speed N (corrected value) corresponding to the maximum fuel supply amount Ipmax is shown on the vertical axis. On the horizontal axis, the current time is hnow
Indicated by. In this embodiment, the value of the deviation Δx is
Set time h1, h in total usage time H of the water heater
2, ..., Hn are stored in the storage unit 12e, for example, every 30 hours of use. The value of the past deviation Δx ′ is such that the total usage time h from the time Δx ′ is stored to the present is 100 hours or more.
The most recent Δ (at the time indicated by h5 in FIG. 3)
It is configured such that the value of x'is adopted.

The solid line g1 in the graph is due to fan linting, ventilation obstacles in the air supply passage and the exhaust passage,
It is shown that the value of the fan rotation speed N (corrected value) corresponding to the maximum fuel supply amount Ipmax increases as the usage time increases. The dotted line g2 in the graph indicates the correction amount k · Δx
Represents the value of the fan rotation speed N corresponding to the maximum fuel supply amount Ipmax estimated under the assumption that the change over time increases in accordance with k · (Δx−Δx ′) / h.
The estimated life expectancy L is represented by the time from the time point hlim at which this dotted line reaches the limit rotational speed Llim to the current time point hnow.

The display unit 12g is composed of a liquid crystal display plate provided in the control device 12, and displays control information such as a hot water supply mode, a hot water supply temperature, a timer display, and the like.
It is configured to display the estimated life expectancy L. In the present embodiment, the estimated life expectancy L is configured to be displayed as the estimated life expectancy days D when displayed on the display unit 12g. The estimated number of remaining life days D is calculated by the following formula. D = L · d / h Here, d is the number of days required to measure the total usage time h. The number of days d is counted by the calendar function of the time measuring means. Therefore, h / d is the average usage time per day, and the estimated life expectancy days D can be obtained by dividing the estimated life expectancy (time) L by the average usage time per day h / d.

Therefore, the life expectancy estimating unit 12f determines the correction amount k ·
The number of usable days until Δx reaches the set allowable maximum amount is estimated as the life expectancy (estimated life expectancy D).

The alarm unit 12h is configured to operate when the estimated life expectancy L becomes equal to or less than a set value. In this embodiment, the estimated life expectancy L is set such that the estimated life expectancy day D is 14
It is set by the value of the estimated life expectancy L which is less than or equal to the day. When the estimated number of remaining life days D is 14 days or less, the alarm unit 12h blinks a maintenance notification lamp provided on the display unit 12g, and the ignition extinguishing operation unit 12 in the control device 12 is also activated.
a, the hot water temperature adjusting unit 12b, and the fan control unit 12c, and the like, in order to reduce the maximum fuel supply amount Ipmax to the decreasing side (for example, from 45,000 kcal (No. 24) to 30,000).
kcal (No. 16)) and extend the pre-purge time of the fan 4 at the beginning of ignition (for example, switch from 3 seconds to 15 seconds).

Therefore, the estimated remaining life L is set by the alarm unit 12h.
Is less than the set value, the maximum fuel supply amount I to the burner 2
A fuel supply amount limiting means for reducing pmax to the decreasing side is configured.

[First Alternative Embodiment] The method of calculating the estimated life expectancy L is not limited to the above method, but may be, for example, the following calculation method. The calculation method in the present another embodiment is a calculation method of the estimated life expectancy L when the correction mode of the correction unit 12d is corrected based on the following formula. N (correction value) ← N (decision value based on setting function F2)
k · Δx where k is a constant.

Therefore, the following relational expression holds between the limit rotational speed Llim of the fan 4 and the correction amount k · Δx. Llim = N · k · {Δx + L · (Δx−Δx ′) /
h} Here, N is a decision value based on the setting function F2,
The current fan speed. Therefore, rearranging the above equation for L, L = {h / (Δx−Δx ′)} · [{Llim / (k ·
N)} − Δx], and the estimated life expectancy L is obtained.

[Second Alternative Embodiment] The fan control unit 12c and the correction unit 12d are not limited to the above-described configurations, but may be configured as follows, for example. FIG. 4 shows a fan control unit 12c and a correction unit 12 of a control device 12 of another embodiment.
The control mode in d is shown.

The fan control unit 12c is configured to control the rotation speed of the fan 4 by so-called duty control, which will be described below. First, the fuel supply amount Ip
And the setting function F2 stored in the storage unit 12e, the fan rotation speed N corresponding to the target value of the fuel supply amount Ip is determined as the target rotation speed N. Next, based on the target rotation speed N and the setting function F4 stored in the storage unit 12e, the fan applied voltage V that is predetermined to obtain the desired fan rotation speed N is determined, and the fan 4 is set. , Driven by the fan applied voltage V. The actual rotation speed N (detection value) of the fan 4 is detected by the rotation speed sensor 15. Then, the deviation ΔN between the target rotation speed N (corrected N described later) and the actual rotation speed N (detection value), and the storage unit 12
The voltage correction amount ΔV of the fan applied voltage V is obtained based on the setting function F5 stored in e, and the fan 4 is applied with the fan applied voltage V (correction value) corrected by the voltage correction amount ΔV.
To drive. As a result, the rotation of the fan 4 at the target rotation speed N is achieved.

The specific control mode is based on the following equation. V (correction value) = V (determined value based on the setting function F4) +
ΔV where ΔV is the voltage correction amount, and ΔN, the setting function, and F4
Decision value based on. ΔN is based on the following formula. ΔN = N (correction value of target speed N described later) -N
(Detection value)

However, in the case where linting or a ventilation obstacle occurs in the fan 4, the air supply passage, the exhaust passage, or the like, even if the fan 4 is rotated at the target rotation speed N, The amount of blast air that is blown as a result is less than the desired target air amount. In this case, the amount of work of the fan 4 decreases as the amount of blown air decreases. Therefore, according to the above control, the fan applied voltage V (correction value) when the fan 4 reaches the target rotation speed N is It has been confirmed that the voltage is lower than the fan applied voltage V (determined value based on the setting function F4). It has also been confirmed that the voltage correction amount ΔV increases as the degree of linting or ventilation obstruction increases. Therefore, the correction unit 12d is configured to perform the following correction control so that the blown air amount of the fan 4 becomes a desired target air amount.

First, when the value of ΔV is positive (+), the voltage correction amount ΔV transmitted from the fan controller 12c is insufficient to maintain the rotation speed of the fan 4 at the target rotation speed N. On the other hand, when the value of ΔV is negative (−), it means that the voltage is excessive to maintain the target rotation speed N. When linting or ventilation trouble occurs, the voltage is excessive, that is, the value of ΔV increases in the negative (−) direction. Therefore, the voltage correction amount ΔV and the storage unit 12
The rotation speed correction amount Nc corresponding to the voltage correction amount ΔV is determined on the basis of the setting function F6 stored in e, and the target rotation speed N is corrected when the linting or ventilation obstacle occurs. Correction control is performed to increase the amount Nc.
As a result, the amount of air blown by the fan 4 can be set to a desired target amount of air irrespective of occurrence of linting or ventilation trouble.

Here, the voltage correction amount ΔV is detection information indicating the shortage or excess of the blown air amount of the fan 4. Therefore, the rotation speed sensor 15 and the fan control unit 12c constitute a flow rate detecting means 16 for detecting the flow rate of the blown air of the fan 4. The setting function F6 defines a rotation speed correction amount Nc that is obtained in advance by, for example, an experiment so that a desired target air amount can be obtained when a predetermined voltage correction amount ΔV is detected.

The specific form of correction is based on the following equation. N (correction value) = N (determined value based on the setting function F4) +
Nc where Nc is a determined value based on the voltage correction amount ΔV, the setting function, and F6.

As an example of concrete numerical values, the fuel supply amount I
Target speed N determined based on p and setting function F2
Is 3000r.pm, target speed N and setting function F
The fan applied voltage V determined on the basis of
When the correction value of the fan applied voltage V is 18V, that is, the voltage correction amount ΔV is 2V, the rotation speed correction amount Nc is set to 200r.p. by the voltage correction amount ΔV and the setting function F6.
m. and set the target speed N from 3000 rpm to 320
Correct to 0 rpm and repeat the same control again.

Now, also in this another embodiment, the rotational speed correction amount Nc is stored in the storage unit 12e. Then, the life expectancy estimating unit 12f, similarly to the case of the above-described embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the rotation speed correction amount N as the correction amount by the correcting unit 12d.
The estimated life expectancy L until the rotational speed correction amount Nc reaches the set allowable maximum amount is estimated based on the change of c with time. In this case, N (Δx) and N (Δx ′) on the vertical axis in FIG. 3 are read as N + Nc and N + Nc ′. Note that Nc 'is a value of the past rotational speed correction amount Nc stored in the storage unit 12e.

[Other Embodiments] In addition, in the method of calculating the estimated life expectancy L, the change with time of the correction amount k · Δx is not limited to k · (Δx−Δx ′) / h as a linear function, but a natural logarithm. Or a plurality of past deviations Δ
The estimated life expectancy L may be calculated by extracting the value of x ′ and performing function approximation.

Further, the alarm unit 12h fixes the target hot water supply temperature ts to the set temperature (for example, 42 ° C.) in preference to the function of the hot water temperature adjusting unit 12b as the estimated life expectancy L becomes equal to or less than the set value. May be configured to do so.

Further, the flow rate adjusting device is not limited to the above-mentioned hot water supply device, but the kind of fluid, the structure of the adjusting device and the like can be appropriately changed. For example, FIG. 5 shows, as an example of another flow rate adjusting device, a valve mechanism provided with an electromagnetic proportional valve 4 as an adjusting means for adjusting the water flow rate of the water pipe 17. The solenoid proportional valve 4 is the F / F control unit 1 of the control device 12.
2c and is configured to be feed-forward controlled so that the valve operation amount becomes a target operation amount N that is obtained based on the stored information F2 of the storage unit 12e corresponding to the target flow rate. . A water amount sensor 16 as a flow rate detecting means is provided on the water pipe 17 downstream of the solenoid proportional valve 4. The water amount sensor 16 is connected to the F / B correction unit 12d. The F / B correction unit 12d is configured to correct the target operation amount N of the solenoid proportional valve 4 executed by the F / F control unit 12c so that the detected flow rate becomes the target flow rate. The correction of the F / F control unit 12c follows the following formula. N (correction value) ← N (decision value based on setting function F2) +
k · Δx where k is a constant. Here, Δx is the deviation between the detected flow rate and the target flow rate. Then, in the control device 12, similarly to the above-described embodiment, based on the storage unit 12e that stores the value of the past deviation Δx ′ and the temporal change of the correction amount k · Δx by the F / B correction unit 12d, A display that displays the estimated life expectancy L as a safety measure that operates based on the estimated life expectancy 12f that estimates the life expectancy until the correction amount k · Δx reaches the set allowable maximum amount, and the estimated life expectancy L of the life expectancy estimation unit 12f. And a portion 12g are provided.

The flow rate detecting means is the oxygen sensor 16 in the above-described embodiment and the first alternative embodiment, the rotation speed sensor 15 and the fan controller 12c in the second alternative embodiment,
Alternatively, it is not limited to the water amount sensor 16 in other embodiments, but can be changed as appropriate. A means for directly physically detecting the flow rate of the fluid may be used, or a means for indirectly detecting the flow rate change by detecting another physical phenomenon associated with the flow rate change.

It should be noted that reference numerals are given in the claims for convenience of comparison with the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the accompanying drawings by the entry.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a flow rate adjusting device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control mode of a control device.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a method of calculating an estimated life expectancy.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control mode of another second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an overall configuration of a flow rate adjusting device according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

D Usable days (estimated remaining life) F2 Memory information Ip Fuel supply amount Ipmax Maximum fuel supply amount L Usable time (estimated remaining life) N Target speed (target operation amount) N _C correction amount k / Δx correction amount 2 Burner 4 fan (Adjustment means) 12c Control means 12d Correction means 12e Storage means 12f Life expectancy estimation means 12g Display means (safety means) 12h Warning means (safety means) 16 Flow rate detection means

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-5-223339 (JP, A) JP-A-57-187715 (JP, A) JP-A-2-69619 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G05D 7/06 F24H 1/10 301 G05B 23/02

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. An adjusting means (4) for adjusting a flow rate of a fluid.
A storage means (12e) for storing the target operation amount (N) of the adjusting means (4) corresponding to the target flow rate, a flow rate detection means (16) for detecting the flow rate of the fluid, and the storage means (12e). ) The control means (12c) for operating the adjusting means (4) with the target operation amount (N) obtained based on the stored information (F2) of (4) and the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means (16) are the target flow rates. The control means (1
2c) is provided with a correction means (12d) for correcting the target operation amount (N), the correction amount (k · Δx or N by the correction means (12d).
Life expectancy estimating means (12f) for estimating the usable life expectancy until the correction amount (k · Δx or NC) reaches the set allowable maximum amount based on the change over time in C), and the life expectancy estimation means (12f). And a safety means (12g, 12h) that operates based on the estimated life expectancy of the flow control device. 2. The life expectancy estimating means (12f) is configured to estimate a usable time (L) until the correction amount (k · Δx or NC) reaches a set allowable maximum amount as the life expectancy. The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1. 3. The life expectancy estimating means (12f) is configured to estimate the number of usable days (D) until the correction amount (k · Δx or NC) reaches a set allowable maximum amount as the life expectancy. The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1. 4. The safety means is a display means (12g) for displaying the estimated life expectancy (L).
The described flow rate adjusting device. 5. The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the safety means is an alarm means (12h) which is activated when the estimated life expectancy (L) becomes equal to or less than a set value. 6. The adjusting means is a fan (4) which ventilates combustion air to the burner (2), and the storage means (1).
2e) is the target rotation speed (N) of the fan (4) with respect to the fuel supply amount (Ip) so that the target ventilation amount is set corresponding to the fuel supply amount (Ip) to the burner (2). ) Is stored in the control means (12).
c) is configured to operate the fan (4) to the target rotation speed (N), and the correction means (12d) is configured to correct the target rotation speed (N), When the estimated life expectancy (L) becomes equal to or less than a set value, the means (12h) causes the maximum fuel supply amount (Ipm) to the burner (2).
The flow rate adjusting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, which is a fuel supply amount limiting means for reducing ax) to a decreasing side.