JPH0259352B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Subject of the Invention) The present invention relates to a downwardly open container that communicates with an external liquid system through a downward opening, and particularly relates to a method for controlling the liquid level inside the container until the liquid level outside the container reaches a predetermined position. It relates to a liquid level control structure that hardly moves up or down until it reaches a predetermined position, but suddenly raises or lowers it once it reaches a predetermined position.

One example of the use of the invention is to house a float in a downwardly open container to control the vertical movement of the float. In other words, there are ball taps that automatically supply water to a predetermined point in the water storage tank, float-type air traps that automatically drain only condensed water generated from the compressed air system, and water traps that automatically remove condensed water from the water system. It can be applied to float valves such as float-type air vents that automatically discharge air.

(Purpose) In conventional general float valves in which the float moves up and down faithfully following the up and down movements of the water level, the water level at which the valve should open and the water level at which it should close are approximately equal, so slight fluctuations in water level can be prevented at that position. Accordingly, there is an inconvenience that the valve is repeatedly opened and closed in small increments. In addition, as the float approaches the valve closing water level, the opening degree of the valve mouth gradually becomes smaller, and when the valve opens, the opening degree of the valve mouth gradually increases, so that dirt does not get caught in the valve mouth or float. There is an inconvenience that the oil in the valve will block the valve port. These problems are caused by the fact that the water level inside the container remains at a specified position until the water level outside the container reaches a specified position, and once the water level outside the container reaches a specified position, the water level inside the container suddenly rises. Alternatively, the problem can be solved by lowering the float, raising or lowering it all at once, and opening and closing the valve all at once.

A conventional technique for controlling the liquid level in a downwardly open container is as shown in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 52-38749. This is a ball tap. The outline is shown in FIG. At the bottom of the container 801 is a tube 802.
is attached, and this tube 802 is placed in a water storage tank (not shown). A float 803 is housed in the container 801 . A check valve 804 is attached to the top of the container 801. 805
806 is a piston valve, 807 is a pore that communicates the inlet side with the pressure control chamber 808, and 809 is the connection between the pressure control chamber 808 and the container 801.
A pore 810 that communicates with the inside is an outlet.

In this case, when the water level outside the container 801 rises, the air inside the container is expelled to the outside through the check valve 804, and the water level inside the container rises at the same time as the water level outside the container. On the other hand, when the water level outside the container falls, the check valve 804 prevents outside air from flowing into the container.
02 and air flows into the container from the lower end of the tube 802, the water level in the container 801 suddenly drops. Therefore, while the water level outside the container is rising, the water level inside the container cannot be suddenly raised.

The technical problem of the present invention is to keep the liquid level inside the container at a predetermined position until the liquid level outside the container rises and reaches a predetermined position. Sometimes the liquid level inside the container may be raised suddenly, or the liquid level inside the container may be held at a specified position until the liquid level outside the container falls and reaches the specified position.
To obtain a liquid level control structure capable of rapidly lowering the liquid level inside a container when the liquid level outside the container reaches a predetermined position.

(Structure) The technical means of the present invention taken to solve the above problems are as follows. That is, (a) a U-shaped tube communicating between the inside and outside of the container is attached to the downwardly open container, and (b) a means for supplying liquid-sealing liquid into the U-shaped tube is provided.

This will be explained with reference to the principle diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. A U-shaped tube 102 is attached to the side wall of the downwardly open container 101. The U-shaped tube 102 may be placed outside the container 101 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or inside the container 101 as shown in FIG. However, the U-shaped tube 102 must communicate between the inside and outside of the container 101. and,
Means for supplying liquid to the U-tube is provided. Here, the water supply pipe 103 and water supply valve 1 facing the opening of the U-shaped pipe are shown.
04 was shown. Reference number 105 indicates the liquid level position outside the container, and 106 indicates the liquid level position inside the container.

FIG. 1 shows a container 10 with liquid in a U-shaped tube 102.
This shows a state in which the liquid level outside No. 1 has risen. There is liquid inside the U-shaped tube 102, and the pressure inside the container increases due to the action of this water head, creating a difference in liquid level between the inside and outside of the container 101. When the liquid level outside the container 101 further increases, the pressure inside the container further increases,
Eventually, the liquid inside the U-shaped tube can no longer withstand the pressure and overflows. Then, the air in the container blows away the liquid in the U-shaped tube and flows out, causing the liquid level in the container to rise suddenly.

FIG. 2 shows a case in which the liquid level outside the container 101 is lowered, and the operation is similar to that in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a case where the U-shaped tube 102 is placed inside the container 101, but the liquid level outside the container rises as in FIG. 1. The action is the same as in Figures 1 and 2.

As is clear from this, the maximum difference HH, HL, H between the liquid level positions inside and outside the container is equal to the height HH', HL', H' of the vertical pipe portion on the outlet side of the U-shaped tube.
In addition, if the U-shaped tube is too thick and the liquid supplied to it is so excessive that the liquid inside is not blown away, the air in the container can only flow out gradually, and sudden up and down changes in the liquid level in the container are not possible. I can't.

The liquid may be supplied to the U-shaped tube 102 in such a way that the tip of the U-shaped tube is submerged in the liquid when the liquid level inside or outside the container 101 rises.
Further, in the case of a ball tap, the opening of the U-shaped pipe may be made to face the drain port so that a portion of the discharged water flows in when the valve is opened.

Although the present invention can both raise and lower the liquid level in the container, it is not always necessary to utilize both of these effects.
For example, by appropriately designing the height and position of the vertical pipe portion of a U-shaped tube, the water level outside the container will drop to the bottom of the container, allowing air to enter from the opening at the bottom, thereby increasing the water level inside the container. The water level may be made to drop suddenly.

(effect) The present invention has the following unique effects.

Unlike the above-mentioned conventional technology in which a check valve is attached to the top of a downward-opening container, the water level inside the container can also be raised suddenly.

Check valves have a complex and fine structure, which can cause leaks due to dirt getting caught or the valve surface becoming worn, but the present invention uses a U-shaped pipe with no moving parts to achieve a water seal effect. Because it is used, there is no failure due to dust and the seal is reliable. Also, the manufacturing cost is low.

(Embodiment 1) An embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in which the present invention is applied to a ball tap will be described.

The valve casing connects the inlet connecting member 401 to the main body 40.
Create by combining 3. A strainer 406, a partition member 409, and a porous cylinder 408 are vertically arranged inside. A flexible tube 410 with one end secured to the valve casing is also placed surrounding the perforated cylinder 408. A discharge pipe 416 is connected to the lower part of the main body 403 . A cylindrical float 411 is arranged around the discharge pipe 416. The float 411 is prevented from falling by a ring 417 attached to the discharge pipe 416.

A float housing cylinder 402 is attached surrounding the main body 403 and the float 411. A seal ring 404 maintains airtightness between the housing cylinder 402 and the main body 403. Pressure control chamber 4 in the space around the outer circumference of the flexible tube 410
13 passes through the narrow passage 414 to the entrance 407 side,
It communicates with the float storage chamber through a passage 415. A check valve 405 is disposed in the passage 414, and a spherical pilot valve 419 is disposed in the passage 415. Pilot valve 419 is operated by lever 418 which pivots around pin 420. lever 418
The tip of the float 411 is in contact with the upper surface of the float 411. A U-shaped tube 412 is attached to the side wall of the float housing cylinder 402. One end opening of the U-shaped tube 412 is arranged so as to face a hole 430 opened on the side of the pilot valve 419.

This valve is operated by lever 4 by vertical movement of float 411.
18 and operates the pilot valve 419 to open and close the passage 415, thereby opening and closing the pressure control chamber 41.
Increase or decrease the pressure in step 3. Control room 413
If the pressure is low, the flexible tube 410 will swell and expand away from the periphery of the partition member 409. Then, the liquid at the inlet 407 flows through the strainer 406 and the partition member 4.
09 and the flexible tube 410, the perforated cylinder 408, and the discharge tube 416. If the pressure in the control chamber 413 is high, the flexible tube 410 contracts and comes into contact with the periphery of the partition member 409, stopping the outflow.

In the figure, since the outer vertical pipe part of the U-shaped pipe 412 is water-sealed, the housing cylinder 412 corresponds to the water head.
02 shows a state in which the water surface 421 on the outside is higher than the water surface 431 on the inside of the housing cylinder 402. If the water level outside the housing tube 402 becomes higher than this, the water inside the U-shaped tube 412 will be blown out, air will flow out of the housing tube 402 at once, and the water level will rise suddenly. The water level in the storage tube 402 at this time is determined by the design of the U-shaped tube 412, and can generate sufficient buoyancy in the float 411 to reliably close the pilot valve 419.

Water is supplied to the U-shaped tube 412 by a portion of the water flowing out from the pilot valve portion flowing through the hole 430 into the inner end opening of the U-shaped tube 412 when the valve is open, and by pouring water into the inner end opening of the U-shaped tube 412 when the valve is closed. This is done by submerging the outer end opening of the U-shaped tube 412 below the water surface outside the housing tube 402.

(Embodiment 2) Figure 5 shows an embodiment applied to an air trap.

A valve casing is made by attaching a lid 502 to a main body 501. The float storage chamber 503 has a vertical partition wall 51
1 communicates with the inlet 504 through an opening at the lower end.
In the vertical inlet passage 509 on the inlet side of the partition wall 511, there is a U
A cross tube 505 is placed. One end of the U-shaped tube 505 is arranged at the corner of the inlet 504 so that a portion of the inflow water flows into it, and the other end opens at the upper part of the float storage chamber 503. A valve port 508 opened at the bottom of the float storage chamber 503 passes through an outlet passage 510 to the outlet 50.
Connects to 7. This valve port 508 is opened and closed by a spherical float 506 that floats on the water in the storage chamber and moves up and down.

The figure shows a state in which the water level in the float storage chamber 503 is maintained at a low position due to the action of the water-sealed U-shaped tube 505, even though the water level in the inlet passage 509 is high, and the float 506 cannot float. It shows. If the water level in the inlet passage 509 is not higher than this, the water seal in the U-shaped tube will break, the water level in the storage chamber will suddenly rise, and the float 506 will rise to the surface at once, opening the valve. As the water drains, the float 506 lowers along with the water level in the float storage chamber 503.

This embodiment mainly utilizes the effect that when the water level outside the container rises to a predetermined position, the water level inside the container, which has remained at a low level until now, rises all at once. And in the air trap,
The inconvenience of lubricating oil adhering to the valve port is eliminated by the valve port suddenly opening fully and water rapidly flowing out.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 6 shows an embodiment applied to a water storage tank that automatically supplies water intermittently.

A drain pipe 602 is connected to the bottom of the water storage tank 601. A float housing cylinder 604 is arranged surrounding a valve port 607 at the upper end of the drain pipe 602. Storage tube 604
communicates with the tank 601 through an opening 609 at the lower end. Float 603 closes valve port 607 in the lowered position. A U-shaped tube 60 is attached to the side wall of the float housing cylinder 604.
Attach 5. The outer end of the U-shaped pipe 605 is slightly expanded, a water supply pipe 608 is placed above it, and a water supply valve 606 is attached.

This water storage tank operates as follows. That is, when the water supply valve 606 is adjusted to allow water to flow down onto the outer end opening of the U-shaped tube 605 little by little, some of the water enters the U-shaped tube 605, but most of the water flows into the water storage tank 601. It gets in and accumulates. And water storage tank 6
Even if the water level of 01 rises, the U-shaped pipe 60 is sealed with water.
5, the water level inside the float housing cylinder 604 remains at the low position shown in the figure. Water storage tank 601
When the water level exceeds the position shown in the figure, the water seal of the U-shaped tube is broken, air blows out from inside the storage cylinder through the U-shaped tube 605, the water level rises suddenly, and the float 603
floats up all at once and opens the valve port 607. Therefore, the water stored in the water storage tank 601 flows out through the drain pipe 602. With the outflow, float 603
or descends and closes the valve port 607. This operation cycle is automatically repeated at regular intervals depending on the opening degree of the water supply valve 606.

(Example 4) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment applied to an air vent.

A valve casing is made by attaching a lid 708 to a main body 701. Float 7 by vertical bulkhead 707
The room 702 that accommodates 04 is isolated from the air storage chamber 711, and the two communicate through an opening 710 below the partition wall 707. A member 708 forming an exhaust hole 703 is attached to the upper part of the float storage chamber 702. An air inlet 706 connected to the upper part of a water storage tank (not shown) or the like is provided below the air storage chamber 711. Attach U-shaped tube 705 to bulkhead 707. One end of the U-shaped tube 705 is connected to the float storage chamber 702
The other end is opened at the upper part of the air storage chamber 711 at a position slightly below the water level of the storage chamber 702 when the float 704 floats to close the exhaust hole 703.

The operation is as follows. That is, air passes through the inlet 706 and accumulates in the air storage chamber 711, and the water level in the chamber 711 falls, but the water-sealed U-shaped tube 7
05, the float storage chamber 702 remains in the closed position (the state shown in the figure). If more air accumulates in the air reservoir chamber 711 and the water level drops, the water seal of the U-shaped tube 705 will break and the air reservoir chamber 711 will
1 flows into the float storage chamber 702 through the U-shaped pipe 705, the float 704 drops at once along with the water level in the storage chamber 702, and the air is discharged through the exhaust hole 703. The float 704 rises with the exhaust and closes the exhaust hole 703 again. At this time, the opening of the U-shaped tube 705 on the air storage chamber side is submerged in water, so water is supplied into the U-shaped tube. By repeating this operation, the air is automatically exhausted.

This embodiment mainly utilizes the effect that when the water level outside the container drops to a predetermined position, the water level inside the container, which had been staying at a high level, drops all at once.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 3 are schematic diagrams showing the basic structure of the present invention, Figure 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment applied to a ball tap, and Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment applied to an air trap. 6 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment applied to an automatic water supply tank, FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment applied to an air vent, and
FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a ball tap showing the prior art. 101: Lower open container, 102: U-shaped tube, 1
03: Water supply pipe, 104: Water supply valve.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 U that connects the inside and outside of the container with a downwardly open container
A liquid level control structure in a downwardly open container with a U-shaped tube attached and a means for supplying liquid sealing liquid into the U-shaped tube.