JP7752085B2 - Gas shielding device and gas shielding method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a gas shielding device and a gas shielding method.

For example, in a factory, atmospheric conditions vary for each process. For example, positive pressure management is known, in which a fluid is supplied to a target space to increase the internal pressure relative to other spaces, in order to prevent fluid from mixing into the target space from other spaces. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a beverage filling machine in which heated gas is supplied to a space to create a positive pressure in the space.

Patent No. 5725097

Here, in order to maintain a positive pressure in the target space, it is necessary to continuously supply fluid to the target space to maintain the differential pressure. Patent Document 1 describes forming an air curtain in part, but this leaves other spaces connected.

The present disclosure has been made in light of the above, and aims to provide a gas shielding device and gas shielding method that can efficiently maintain the pressure in the target space.

The gas shielding device according to the present disclosure is a gas shielding device that gas-shields an opening of a structure having a first compartment with an opening and a second compartment connected to the first compartment by the opening and having a higher pressure than the first compartment. It includes: a nozzle that is disposed over the entire area of one side of the opening and forms a plate-shaped jet that extends from one side of the opening toward the corresponding side of the opening and covers the entire surface of the opening; and a gas supply unit that supplies fluid to be sprayed to the nozzle.

The gas shielding method disclosed herein is a gas shielding method for gas-shielding an opening in a structure having a first compartment with an opening and a second compartment connected to the first compartment by the opening and having a higher pressure than the first compartment. The method includes supplying a fluid to be sprayed to a nozzle positioned over the entire area of one side of the opening, spraying the fluid from the nozzle, and forming a plate-shaped jet that covers the entire surface of the opening from one side of the opening toward the corresponding side of the opening.

This disclosure allows for efficient maintenance of pressure in a target space.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a compartment unit equipped with a gas shielding device according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the gas shielding device and the opening. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the nozzle. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the gas shield formed by the gas shield device. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the gas shielding device shown in FIG. 6 and the opening. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the gas shielding device. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment.

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and when there are multiple embodiments, they also include configurations that combine the various embodiments. Furthermore, the components in the embodiments include those that would be easily imagined by a person skilled in the art, those that are substantially identical, and those that are within the so-called equivalent range.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a compartment unit equipped with a gas shielding device according to this embodiment. The compartment unit 10 shown in Figure 1 has a first compartment 12 and a second compartment 14. The first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by an opening 16. In the compartment unit 10, the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by the opening 16, and the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are managed at different pressures. The compartment unit 10 of this embodiment may be, for example, a compartment in a manufacturing plant, and items to be manufactured move between the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 via the opening 16. Note that in the compartment unit 10, the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by the opening 16, and it is sufficient that the managed pressure values of the respective compartments are different.

The first compartment 12 is a compartment managed by negative pressure. Opening 16 and opening 30 are formed in the first compartment 12 as portions through which fluid can flow, and a suction pipe 32 is connected. The first compartment 12 has wall surfaces other than the portions through which fluid can flow. Opening 16 will be described later. Opening 30 is formed in a wall surface separate from opening 16. Opening 30 is connected to another space at a higher pressure than the first compartment 12, for example, atmospheric pressure. Opening 30 forms a gas flow 60 through which air from the outside flows into the first compartment 12.

The suction pipe 32 is connected to the first compartment 12. A suction mechanism 34 is disposed in the suction pipe 32. The suction device 34 is a blower or the like, and creates a gas flow 64 that sucks air from the first compartment 12 through the suction pipe 32. The suction mechanism 34 sucks in the air inside the first compartment 12, causing the internal pressure to become negative.

The second compartment 14 is a compartment managed under positive pressure. An opening 16 is formed in the second compartment 14 as a portion through which fluid can flow, and an air supply pipe 40 is connected. The second compartment 14 has walls other than the portion through which fluid can flow. The opening 16 will be described later.

The air supply pipe 40 is connected to the second compartment 14. An air supply mechanism 42 is disposed in the air supply pipe 40. The air supply mechanism 42 is a blower or the like, and forms a gas flow 62 that supplies air to the second compartment 14 via the air supply pipe 40. When air is supplied to the interior of the second compartment 14 by the air supply mechanism 42, the internal pressure becomes positive.

The opening 16 connects the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14. In this embodiment, the opening 16 is a pipe with a predetermined length in a direction perpendicular to the opening surface. The compartment unit 10 may have a structure in which the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are separated by a wall, and the opening 16 may be a hole formed in the wall. In this embodiment, the opening surface of the opening 16 is rectangular. However, the shape of the opening 16 is not limited to this.

The gas shielding device will be explained using Figures 2 to 4 in addition to Figure 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the gas shielding device and the opening. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the general configuration of the nozzle. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the gas shield formed by the gas shielding device.

The gas shielding device 20 is disposed in the opening 16. The gas shielding device 20 forms a gas shield in the opening 16 that suppresses the inflow of gas from the second compartment 14 to the first compartment 12. The gas shielding device 20 includes a nozzle 50 and a gas supply unit 51. The nozzle 50 is disposed on the wall surface of the first compartment 12 on which the opening 16 is formed. The nozzle 50 is configured to blow air from its tip to form a gas shield jet 66, and is disposed over the entire area of one side 16a of the opening 16. The nozzle 50 is disposed in a direction that sprays air from the side 16a on which the opening 16 is disposed toward the opposing side 16b of the opening 16, i.e., in a direction that sprays the gas shield jet 66.

As shown in Figure 3, the nozzle 50 has an integrated structure consisting of a nozzle base 70 and a nozzle tip 72. The nozzle 50 has flow straightening mechanisms 76, 78, and 80 arranged inside. The nozzle base 70 is box-shaped along one side 16a of the opening 16, and is connected to the air supply pipe 62 of the gas supply unit 51. The nozzle base 70 has a constant thickness in the direction of the gas shield jet 66, and has flow straightening mechanisms 76 and 78 arranged inside. The nozzle base 70 serves as a header that averages the injected gas in the direction along one side 16a.

The nozzle tip 72 is connected to the nozzle base 70. The nozzle tip 72 has a constricted shape, with the cross-sectional area of the plane perpendicular to the gas shield jet 66 decreasing with increasing distance from the nozzle base 70. The cross-sectional area of the nozzle tip 72 decreases so that the surface opposite the wall surface on which the opening 16 is formed gradually approaches the wall surface on which the opening 16 is formed. The end of the nozzle tip 72 opposite the connection with the nozzle base 70 forms the outlet 74. The outlet 74 is a long, narrow opening extending along one side 16a. A straightening mechanism 80 is disposed in the outlet 74. The gas passing through the nozzle tip 72 is constricted by the constricted shape, and an elongated airflow is sprayed along the outlet 74, which is long in the direction along the side 16a and short in the direction perpendicular to the side 16a. Note that the nozzle 50 is not limited to the constricted shape of this embodiment. The nozzle 50 need only be able to form the gas shield jet 66, and does not need to have a constricted portion. Alternatively, the nozzle 50 may be configured such that multiple nozzles are arranged along one side 16a, spraying the gas shield jet 66 from the entire area of the side 16a.

The flow straightening mechanisms 76, 78, and 80 are mechanisms that average the flow in the direction along one side 16a and straighten the fluid flow direction in the direction along the gas shield jet 66. The flow straightening mechanism 76 is located in the nozzle base 70.

The flow straightening mechanism 76 has a structure in which multiple plates extending in the direction along the gas shield jet 66 and along one side 16a are arranged at a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the plates. Gas that flows into the nozzle base 70 passes through the gaps between the plates and moves toward the nozzle tip 72. As the gas passes through the flow straightening mechanism 76, it is averaged in the direction along one side 16a, and the fluid flow direction is straightened to the direction along the gas shield jet 66.

The flow straightening mechanism 78 is a mesh-like structure located downstream of the flow straightening mechanism 76 (towards the nozzle tip 72) on the nozzle base 70. Gas that flows into the nozzle base 70 and passes through the flow straightening mechanism 76 passes through the mesh holes of the flow straightening mechanism 78 and moves towards the nozzle tip 72. As the gas passes through the flow straightening mechanism 78, it is averaged in the direction along one side 16a and the fluid flow direction is straightened to a direction along the gas shield jet 66.

The flow straightening mechanism 80 is a mesh-like structure located at the outlet 74. Gas that flows into the nozzle base 70 and passes through the flow straightening mechanisms 76 and 78 is contracted at the nozzle tip 72 and then sprayed through the mesh holes of the flow straightening mechanism 80. As the gas passes through the flow straightening mechanism 80, it is averaged in the direction along one side 16a, and the fluid flow direction is straightened to the direction along the gas shield jet 66.

The gas supply unit 51 supplies gas to be sprayed to the nozzle 50. The gas supply unit 51 has an air supply pipe 52 and a blower mechanism 54. One end of the air supply pipe 52 is connected to the nozzle base 70 of the nozzle 50, and the other end is open outside the first compartment 12. The blower mechanism 54 is disposed in the air supply pipe 52 and forms a gas flow in the air supply pipe 52 that supplies air to the nozzle 50.

The gas shielding device 20 forms a gas shield jet 66 by ejecting gas supplied by the blower mechanism 54 of the gas supply unit 51 from the outlet 74 of the nozzle 50. As shown in FIG. 4, the gas shield jet 66 is sprayed in the same direction from the outlet 74 of the nozzle 50, resulting in a plate-shaped jet. As described above, the gas shield jet 66 is ejected from one side 16a of the opening 16 where the nozzle 50 is located toward the opposing side 16b. As a result, the gas shield jet 66 becomes a jet that overlaps the entire surface of the opening 16, as shown in FIG. 2.

As a result, the gas shield jet 66 blocks the entire opening 16, reducing the gas flow 68 flowing from the second compartment 14 into the first compartment 12 through the opening 16.

The compartment unit 10 is equipped with a gas shield device 20, which forms a gas shield jet 66 at the opening 16 and reduces the gas flow 68 leaking from the second compartment 14, thereby reducing the gas flow 62 supplied from the air supply pipe 40. This allows for more efficient positive pressure management in the second compartment 14.

By shaping the nozzle tip 72 so that the cross-sectional area decreases on the side opposite the wall surface on which the opening 16 is formed, the nozzle outlet 74 can be brought closer to the opening 16, and the gas shield jet 66 ejected from the nozzle outlet 74 can be made to flow along the opening 16.

By arranging the flow straightening mechanisms 76, 78, and 80 in the nozzle 50, the gas shield jet 66 can be made into a more plate-shaped jet, reducing the flow of gas through the opening 16.

In this embodiment, the second compartment 14 may further include openings. By disposing a gas shielding device 20 in each opening, the second compartment 14 can be made to have the same state as the openings 16.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. Of the compartment unit 10a shown in Figure 5, components that have the same functions as those in the compartment unit 10 and the embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. The compartment unit 10a is similar to the compartment unit 10 in that the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by an opening 16.

The gas shielding device 20a arranged in the compartment unit 10a has a nozzle 50a and a gas supply unit 51a. The nozzle 50a has the same configuration as the nozzle 50. The gas supply unit 51a has an air supply pipe 52a and an air blowing mechanism 54a. The air supply pipe 52a and the air blowing mechanism 54a are arranged inside the first compartment 12. One end of the air supply pipe 52a is connected to the nozzle 50, and the other end is arranged inside the first compartment 12. The air blowing mechanism 54a is connected to the air supply pipe 52a.

By using gas sucked from the first compartment 12 as the gas injected from the nozzle 50 of the gas shielding device 20a, the compartment unit 10a can suppress fluctuations in the amount of gas in the first compartment 12 due to the sucked and injected gas. This allows the compartment unit 10a to reduce the amount of gas exhausted from the first compartment 12 through the suction pipe 32. In other words, by exhausting the air flowing in via gas flow 60 and the air flowing in via gas flow 68 via gas flow 64, the negative pressure in the first compartment 12 can be maintained. This reduces the amount of air sucked in and purged in each section, allowing pressure management of the compartment unit 10a to be performed with less energy. Furthermore, by reducing the amount of gas flowing into the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14, the processing load for the inflowing gas can also be reduced.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the gas shielding device shown in Figure 6 and an opening. Of the compartment unit 10b shown in Figures 6 and 7, components that have the same functions as those in the compartment unit 10a of the embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. The compartment unit 10b is similar to the compartment unit 10 in that the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by an opening 16.

The gas shielding device 20b arranged in the compartment unit 10b has a nozzle 50 and a gas supply unit 101. The gas supply unit 101 includes a collector (recovery mechanism) 102, a circulation path 104, and a blower mechanism 106.

The collector 102 is positioned facing the nozzle 50, i.e., on the side of the opening 16 opposite the side on which the nozzle 50 is located. The collector 102 sucks in the surrounding air. The collector 102 has openings for sucking in air arranged along the entire side on which the opening 16 is located. In this embodiment, the collector 102 is arranged on the wall surface on the first compartment 12 side of the surface on which the opening 16 is formed.

The circulation path 104 is a pipe that connects the collector 102 and the nozzle 50. The circulation path 104 is positioned so as not to overlap with the opening 16. In this embodiment, the circulation path 104 is fixed to the wall surface on which the opening 16 is formed. The blower mechanism 106 is positioned in the circulation path 104 and creates a gas flow from the collector 102 toward the nozzle 50.

By providing the collector 102, the gas shield device 20b can suck in the air near the side 16b of the opening 16, including the gas shield jet 66 sprayed from the nozzle 50. This makes it possible to suppress the diffusion of the gas shield jet 66 near the side 16b, thereby increasing the gas shield effect and further reducing the gas flow 68 at the opening 16.

Furthermore, by connecting the nozzle 50 and the collector 102 with a circulation path 104, the gas shield jet 66 sprayed from the nozzle 50 and the suction of the collector 102 can be achieved with a single blower mechanism 106.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a gas shielding device. The gas shielding device shown in Figure 8 includes a scoop 110 in addition to the components of the gas shielding device shown in Figures 6 and 7. The scoop 110 is a plate-shaped member that is placed on the surface of the edge of the opening 16 on the side facing the second compartment 14, where the collector 102 is located. The scoop 110 extends along the edge of the opening 16, with a portion of the scoop 110 protruding into the opening 16. The tip of the scoop 110 that protrudes into the opening 16 can have various shapes, such as an arc, an ellipse, or a wedge shape.

The gas shield device shown in Figure 8 is equipped with a scoop 110, which allows the gas shield jet 66 to be guided toward the collector 102, preventing the gas shield jet 66 from flowing toward the second section 14. This reduces the force of the jet. It also prevents the gas shield jet 66 at the end on the collector 102 side from diffusing to areas other than the collector 102 side.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. Of the compartment unit 10c shown in Figure 9, components that have the same functions as those in the compartment unit 10a embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. The compartment unit 10c is similar to the compartment unit 10 in that the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by an opening 16.

The gas shielding device 20c arranged in the compartment unit 10c has a nozzle 50 and a gas supply unit 101c. The gas supply unit 101c includes a collector (collection mechanism) 102, a circulation path 104, and a blower mechanism 106. The gas supply unit 101c has the same configuration as the gas supply unit 101, except for the position of the collector 102. In the gas supply unit 101c, the collector 102 is arranged on the wall surface of the second compartment 14. The circulation path 104 connects the collector 102 and the nozzle 50.

By placing the collector 102 in the second compartment 14, in addition to the gas shield jet 66 sprayed from the nozzle 50, a film of airflow can also be formed from the nozzle 50 toward the collector 102. This allows the air film blocking the opening 16 to be thicker, further reducing the amount of gas flowing in the gas flow 68. Note that in the arrangement shown in Figure 9, gas from the first compartment 12 can be supplied to the nozzle 50 in addition to the gas sucked into the collector 102. For example, a blower mechanism 106 and piping for sucking into the first compartment 12 can be provided in the circulation path 104, and gas can be sucked from the collector 102 by the ejector effect of the air sucked from the first compartment 12.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. Of the compartment unit 10d shown in Figure 10, components that have the same functions as those in the compartment unit 10a embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. The compartment unit 10d is similar to the compartment unit 10 in that the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by an opening 16.

The gas shielding device 20d arranged in the compartment unit 10d has a nozzle 50 and a gas supply unit 101d. The gas supply unit 101d includes a collector (recovery mechanism) 102, a circulation path 104, and a blower mechanism 106. Each part of the gas shielding device 20d is arranged on the wall surface on the second compartment 14 side of the opening 16.

Even if the nozzle 50 and gas supply unit 101d are located on the wall surface of the second compartment 14, i.e., the compartment with the higher pressure, the gas shield device 20 can reduce the amount of gas that passes through the opening 16 and flows into the first compartment 12 via the gas flow 68 by forming a gas shield jet 66 at the opening 16.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a gas shielding device according to another embodiment. Of the compartment unit 10e shown in Figure 11, components that have the same functions as those in the compartment unit 10 and the embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted. The compartment unit 10e is similar to the compartment unit 10 in that the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 are connected by an opening 16.

The gas shielding device 20e arranged in the compartment unit 10e has a nozzle 50 and a gas supply unit 51. The nozzle 50 of the gas shielding device 20e is inclined at an angle θ from a direction parallel to the opening surface of the opening 16 toward a direction away from the opening 16. In other words, the nozzle 50 sprays the gas shielding jet 66 in a direction along the opening 16 and in a direction inclined at an angle θ from the opening 16. Here, it is preferable that the angle θ be 10° or less.

By tilting the nozzle 50 by an angle θ, the gas shield device 20e can prevent the gas shield jet 66 from flowing into the second compartment 14 through the opening 16. In this embodiment, the angle θ is greater than 0; however, by setting the angle θ to 0, as in the above embodiment, the gas shield jet 66 can be formed along the opening 16, thereby improving the shielding performance of the opening 16.

In the gas shielding device 20 of the present disclosure, the direction in which the shielding gas jet 66 is formed is not particularly limited and can be any direction, including vertical, horizontal, and diagonal. The gas shielding device 20 may further be provided with an openable door at the opening 16. In this case, the gas flow 68 can be reduced by operating the gas shielding device 20 with the door open.

The technical scope of this disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Compartment unit 12 First compartment 14 Second compartment 16 Opening 20 Gas shielding device 30 Opening 32 Suction pipe 34 Suction mechanism 40 Air supply pipe 42 Air supply mechanism 50 Nozzle 51 Gas supply unit 52 Air supply pipe 54 Blowing mechanism 60, 62, 64, 68 Gas flow 66 Gas shielding jet 70 Nozzle base 72 Nozzle tip 74 Blowing outlet 76, 78, 80 Flow straightening mechanism

Claims (8)

A gas shielding device for gas-shielding an opening of a structure having a first compartment having an opening and a second compartment connected to the first compartment at the opening and having a higher pressure than the first compartment,
a nozzle disposed over the entire area of one side of the opening, the nozzle forming a plate-shaped jet of air from the one side of the opening toward the opposite side of the opening, the jet of air covering the entire surface of the opening;
a gas supply unit that supplies a fluid to be sprayed to the nozzle ,
the gas supply unit includes a recovery mechanism that is disposed on a side of the opening opposite to the side on which the nozzle is disposed and that sucks in a surrounding fluid, and a circulation path that connects the recovery mechanism to the nozzle and supplies the sucked fluid to the nozzle,
The gas shield device includes a scoop that is disposed on a surface of the side of the opening on which the recovery mechanism is disposed, facing the second compartment, and that protrudes beyond the opening . The gas shielding device according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle has an internal flow straightening mechanism, and the flow path area decreases toward the outlet. A gas shielding device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the gas supply unit supplies the fluid from the first compartment to the nozzle. The gas shielding device according to claim 1 , wherein the recovery mechanism is disposed on a surface on the first compartment side. The gas shielding device according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is disposed on a surface of a side of the opening on which the recovery mechanism is disposed, the side facing the first compartment. The gas shielding device according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle injects gas in a direction parallel to a surface of the opening. 6. The gas shielding device according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle injects gas in a direction inclined at a predetermined angle away from the opening with respect to a direction parallel to a surface of the opening. 1. A gas shielding method for gas-shielding an opening in a structure having a first compartment having an opening and a second compartment connected to the first compartment by the opening and having a higher pressure than the first compartment, comprising:
supplying a fluid to be sprayed to nozzles arranged over the entire area of one side of the opening;
a fluid is ejected from the nozzle from one side of the opening toward a corresponding side of the opening, forming a plate-shaped jet that covers the entire surface of the opening;
a gas supply unit that supplies a fluid to be sprayed to the nozzle is disposed on a side of the opening opposite to the side on which the nozzle is disposed, and includes a recovery mechanism that sucks in surrounding fluid, and a circulation path that connects the recovery mechanism to the nozzle and supplies the sucked fluid to the nozzle;
The gas shielding method , wherein the recovery mechanism is arranged on a surface of the side of the opening on which the recovery mechanism is arranged, facing the second compartment, and includes a scoop protruding beyond the opening .