Water leakage detection device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a water leakage detection device comprising: a water level measurement means coupled to a cooling water storage tank for storing cooling water and measuring the water level of the cooling water in the cooling water storage tank; and a control unit that detects water leakage on the basis of the operating mode information of the cooling system, which is grasped on the basis of the information received from the cooling system, and the cooling water level information received from the water level measurement means.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water leakage detection device which can detect water leakage of a cooling system used in an energy storage system (ESS). Background Art

[0002] Energy storage system (ESS) is a technology that can store electrical energy and use it when needed later. It has the advantage of improving the stability of power supply.

[0003] The electric energy storage system described above uses a plurality of battery modules that can store electricity. Since the energy storage capacity and safety of the battery modules described above vary depending on the ambient temperature, the temperature of the battery modules is controlled by a cooling system in order to improve the performance of the energy storage system.

[0004] The cooling system circulates fluids such as cooling water to regulate temperature. When cooling water leaks, it may cause insulation damage and further lead to fire, so it is important to quickly detect cooling water leaks and take measures.

[0005] Existing water leakage detection adopts the form of detecting the pressure change of cooling water moving through the pipe. However, because the cooling system operates at a low pressure, it is actually very difficult to detect a tiny water leak through the pressure change.

[0006] Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a water leakage detection device that can more accurately detect water leakage occurring in a cooling system and quickly take countermeasures against the water leakage.

[0007] Prior art literature

[0008] Patent Literature

[0009] Patent Document 1): Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2021-0128597 (Title: Battery Protection Device Machine Method, Publication Date: 2021.10.27)

[0010] Patent Document 2): Korean Registered Patent Gazette No. 10-2324254 (Title: Water Leakage Detection Device, Battery Pack and Automobile Including the Water Leakage Detection Device, Registration Date: 2021.11.03) Summary of the invention

[0011] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned existing problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water leakage detection device which can quickly grasp the water leakage phenomenon occurring in the cooling system and prevent accidents which may be caused by the water leakage.

[0012] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the water leakage detection device of the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a water level measuring component 100, which is combined with a cooling water storage tank 11 for storing cooling water, and measures the cooling water level on the cooling water storage tank 11; and a control unit 200, which detects water leakage based on the working mode information of the cooling system 10 grasped based on the information received from the cooling system 10 and the cooling water level information received from the water level measuring component 100.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized by comprising a water leakage notification unit 300 which, when cooling water leakage is detected in the control unit 200 , provides water leakage detection information to at least one of a central server and a manager terminal.

[0014] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that: the control unit 200 includes: a cooling system information collecting unit 210, which collects information on the cooling system 10 by communicating with the cooling system 10; a water level information collecting unit 220, which collects water level information by communicating with the water level measuring component 100; and a water leakage determination unit 230, which determines a reference water level based on the water level information collected from the water level information collecting unit 220, and determines that a water leakage has occurred when the determined reference water level exceeds a set range.

[0015] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that: the water leakage determination unit 230 includes: a water level stabilization determination unit 231, which determines whether the water level of the cooling water storage tank 11 is stabilized; a reference water level determination unit 232, which determines the reference water level using the cooling water level information collected by the water level information collection unit 220 within a set time when the water level stabilization determination unit 231 determines that the water level has stabilized; and a determination module 233, which determines that a water leakage has occurred when the cooling water level received by the water level information collection unit 220 exceeds a set value from the reference water level determined by the reference water level determination unit 232.

[0016] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that: the control unit 200 also includes: an operating mode determination unit 240, which determines the operating mode of the cooling system 10 based on the information collected by the cooling system information collection unit 210; the water leakage determination unit 230, which redetermines the reference water level when it is determined that the operating mode of the cooling system 10 has changed.

[0017] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that: the control unit 200 includes: a temperature information collecting unit 250, which collects cooling water temperature information of the cooling system 10; the judgment module 233 corrects the cooling water level used when judging water leakage based on the temperature received from the temperature information collecting unit.

[0018] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the water level corrected according to the temperature change in the determination module 233 is derived by the following mathematical formula 1.

[0019] h1=h0-C*(t1–t0)

[0020] (h0: reference water level, h1: water level corrected according to cooling water temperature change, t0: reference temperature (temperature when measuring reference water level), t1: current temperature, C: correction coefficient)

[0021] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that it includes a cooling water flow restriction member 400 located at a position facing the cooling water inflow portion inside the cooling water storage tank 11 .

[0022] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the cooling water flow restriction component 400 has a porous structure.

[0023] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that: the cooling water flow restriction component 400 includes: a restriction component shell 410, which is open in front of the cooling water inlet and has a cooling water outlet formed on the upper and lower sides; and a flow weakening protrusion 420 formed on the inner surface of the restriction component shell 410.

[0024] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it further includes: an intermediate storage tank 500, which is combined with the upper side of the cooling water storage tank 11 and can allow cooling water circulating through the cooling system 10 to flow in; a first cooling water inflow hole 510 and a second cooling water inflow hole 11-1 are formed on the lower edge of the intermediate storage tank 500 and the upper edge of the cooling water storage tank 11 facing therefrom.

[0025] In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it includes: a cooling water drop path forming component, which is spirally coupled to the inner side surface of the cooling water storage tank 11.

[0026] The water leakage detection device of the present invention can detect water leakage by utilizing the change of the cooling water level in the cooling water storage tank, and therefore has a better water leakage detection capability than the existing method of detecting water leakage by utilizing pressure.

[0027] Furthermore, detected water leakage information can be provided to the administrator, so that the water leakage condition can be responded to quickly.

[0028] Furthermore, the reference water level can be determined using the average value of the water levels acquired within a certain period of time, so the determined reference water level has high reliability.

[0029] Furthermore, the reference water level can be reset each time the operating mode of the cooling water system is changed, thereby effectively coping with water level errors caused by mode changes.

[0030] Furthermore, the water level change due to the temperature change can be compensated and reflected in the determination of the reference water level, so the reference water level can be determined more accurately and the water leakage can be accurately determined using the reference water level.

[0031] Furthermore, the cooling water flow restriction member can minimize the flow of cooling water contained in the tank due to the inflow of cooling water, so that the water level can be measured more accurately.

[0032] Furthermore, since the cooling water can be recovered in a form in which the cooling water flows toward the edge of the cooling water storage tank, the flow of the cooling water contained in the tank due to the inflow of the cooling water can be minimized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which the water leakage detection device of the present invention is incorporated into a cooling system.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the water leakage detection device of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 3 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which a temperature information collecting unit and a cooling water flow restricting component are combined with the water leakage detection device of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 The data are experimental data for explaining the difference between the cooling water level measurement values ​​before and after compensation according to the temperature.

[0037] Figure 6 This is an embodiment illustrating a cooling water flow restriction component of a water leakage detection device of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which an intermediate storage tank is coupled to the water leakage detection device of the present invention.

[0039] Explanation of symbols

[0040] 10: Cooling system

[0041] 11: Cooling water storage tank

[0042] 11-1: Second cooling water inlet hole

[0043] 100: Water level measurement component

[0044] 200: Control Department

[0045] 210: Cooling system information collection department

[0046] 220: Water level information collection department

[0047] 230: Water leakage determination unit

[0048] 231: Water level stabilization determination unit

[0049] 232: Reference water level determination department

[0050] 233: Judgment module

[0051] 240: Operation mode determination unit

[0052] 250: Temperature information collection department

[0053] 300: Water Leakage Notification Department

[0054] 400: Flow restriction assembly

[0055] 410: Restriction component housing

[0056] 420: Flow weakening protrusion

[0057] 500: Intermediate storage tank

[0058] 510: First cooling water inflow hole DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] The advantages and features of the embodiments of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will be further clarified by the subsequent embodiments which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in the following content, but can be implemented in a variety of different forms. These embodiments are only used to more completely disclose the present invention and to more completely introduce the scope of the present invention to those with general knowledge of the technical field to which the present invention belongs. The present invention should only be defined by the scope of the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals represent the same components.

[0060] In the process of describing the embodiments of the present invention, when it is determined that the specific description of a known function or structure may make the gist of the present invention unclear, the detailed description related to it will be omitted. In addition, the terms used subsequently are defined in consideration of the functions in the embodiments of the present invention, and may change due to the intention or convention of the user and the user. Therefore, it should be defined based on the overall content of the present invention.

[0061] Next, the water leakage detection device 1000 according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] Figure 1 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state where the water leakage detection device of the present invention is combined with a cooling system. Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of the water leakage detection device of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state where a temperature information collecting unit and a cooling water flow limiting component are combined with the water leakage detection device of the present invention. Figure 4 as well as Figure 5 This is experimental data used to explain the difference between the cooling water level measurement values ​​before and after compensation based on temperature. Figure 6 The embodiment of the cooling water flow restriction component of the water leakage detection device of the present invention is illustrated. Figure 7 This is a conceptual diagram illustrating a state in which an intermediate storage tank is coupled to the water leakage detection device of the present invention.

[0063] See also Figures 1 to 5 The water leakage detection device 1000 of the present invention may include: a water level measuring component 100, which is combined with a cooling water storage tank 11 for storing cooling water, and measures the cooling water level on the cooling water storage tank 11; a control unit 200, which detects water leakage based on the working mode information of the cooling system 10 grasped based on the information received from the cooling system 10 and the cooling water level information received from the water level measuring component 100; and a water leakage notification unit 300, which, when a cooling water leakage is detected in the control unit 200, provides the water leakage detection information to one or more of the central server and the administrator terminal.

[0064] Specifically, the energy storage system (ESS) uses a plurality of battery modules 1 , and as described above, the performance of the battery modules 1 is affected by the ambient temperature, so the temperature of the space equipped with the battery modules 1 is maintained at a set value by the cooling system 10 .

[0065] At this time, when water leakage occurs in the pipe 2 where the cooling water moves, the leaked cooling water may cause insulation damage and further lead to the occurrence of fire, etc. Therefore, in the present invention, the water leakage will be determined based on the cooling water level information received from the water level measuring component 100, and when it is determined that a water leakage has occurred, the water leakage notification unit 300 will provide the administrator with the water leakage information to facilitate a quick response.

[0066] At this time, the water level measuring component 100 can be one or more of an ultrasonic sensor, a laser sensor, and a buoyancy type water level measuring device (float) that can measure the water level. In addition, it can also include various devices that can measure the water level, but is not limited to this.

[0067] Furthermore, when the control unit 200 detects water leakage, it may determine that water leakage has occurred when the water level of the cooling water storage tank 11 changes by a value greater than a set value, and the set value may be a stored change amount or change rate.

[0068] See also Figure 2 The control unit 200 may include: a cooling system information collecting unit 210, which collects information about the cooling system 10 by communicating with the cooling system 10; a water level information collecting unit 220, which collects water level information by communicating with the water level measuring component 100; and a water leakage determination unit 230, which determines a reference water level based on the water level information collected from the water level information collecting unit 220, and determines that a water leakage has occurred when the determined reference water level exceeds a set range.

[0069] Specifically, since the circulation of cooling water is performed by the pump P, fluid flow will occur inside the cooling water storage tank 11. Due to the flow of fluid as described above, the water level measured in the water level measuring component 100 will also change. Therefore, the average value of the water levels collected over a certain period of time in the water leakage determination unit 230 is determined as the reference water level, and the judgment of water leakage is performed based on the reference water level determined in the manner described above.

[0070] At this time, the calculation of the average cooling water level is performed based on the time set by the user, and needs to be performed when the working mode of the cooling system 10 remains stable. When the working mode changes, the reference water level needs to be determined again.

[0071] In addition, the water leakage determination unit 230 may include: a water level stabilization determination unit 231, which determines whether the water level of the cooling water storage tank 11 is stabilized; a reference water level determination unit 232, which determines a reference water level using the cooling water level information collected by the water level information collection unit 220 within a set time when the water level stabilization determination unit 231 determines that the water level has stabilized; and a determination module 233, which determines that a water leakage has occurred when the cooling water level received by the water level information collection unit 220 exceeds a set value from the reference water level determined by the reference water level determination unit 232.

[0072] Specifically, when the working mode of the cooling system 10 changes, the cooling water level in the cooling water storage tank 11 will also change. Therefore, in the stabilization judgment unit 231, when the cooling water level maintains a certain water level within the set time, it will be judged that the working mode change of the cooling system has been completed and the water level has stabilized. When the water level has stabilized as described above, the reference water level will be determined using the cooling water level information collected in the reference water level determination unit 232.

[0073] In addition, the determination module 233 will use the finally determined reference water level information to determine water leakage.

[0074] In addition, the control unit 200 may also include: an operating mode determination unit 240, which determines the operating mode of the cooling system 10 based on the information collected by the cooling system information collection unit 210; and the water leakage determination unit 230, which can redetermine the water level when it is determined that the operating mode of the cooling system 10 has changed.

[0075] Specifically, the working state of the cooling system 10 can change according to the state of the energy storage system E. When the working mode of the cooling system 10 changes as described above, the cooling water level stored in the cooling water storage tank 11 correspondingly will also change accordingly. Therefore, the cooling water level change that occurs when the cooling system working mode is changed may be erroneously judged as a water leak.

[0076] Therefore, in the present invention, when the operation mode determination unit 240 determines that the operation mode of the cooling system 10 has changed, the reference water level can be re-determined in the water leakage determination unit 230 .

[0077] At this time, re-determining the reference water level means re-executing the determination of whether the water level is stabilized in the water level stabilization determination unit 231 and the determination of the reference water level in the reference water level determination unit 232 .

[0078] In addition, the working mode determination of the cooling system 10 can be performed based on the information of the cooling system 10 collected in the cooling system information collection unit 210, specifically, it can be one or more of the control information received from the control device of the cooling system 10, the working state of the pump P of the cooling system 10, and the flow rate change of the cooling water moving through the pipe 2 of the cooling system 10.

[0079] Furthermore, by adopting a method in which, when two or more of the three determinations obtained by the three methods described above determine that the operation mode of the cooling system 10 has changed, it is finally determined that the operation mode has changed, the reliability of the operation mode determination can be further improved.

[0080] See also Figure 3 as well as Figure 5 The control unit 200 may include: a temperature information collecting unit 250 for collecting cooling water temperature information of the cooling system 10; and a determination module 233 for correcting the cooling water level used for determining water leakage based on the temperature received from the temperature information collecting unit.

[0081] Specifically, when the temperature of the cooling water rises, Figure 4 As shown, the cooling water in the pipe 2 of the cooling system 10 will flow into the interior of the storage tank 11, thereby causing the cooling water level (the water level that changes due to temperature) to rise and thus form a large difference with the reference water level. Figure 5 As shown, after the cooling water level (the water level that changes due to temperature) is corrected based on the temperature and the corrected water level is calculated, the water leakage is determined using the corrected water level (corrected water level).

[0082] More specifically, the determination module 233 corrects the cooling water level information collected by the water level information collecting unit 220 based on the temperature collected by the temperature information collecting unit 250 , and the following mathematical formula 1 may be used for the correction.

[0083] Mathematical formula 1)

[0084] h1=h0-C*(t1–t0)

[0085] (h0: reference water level, h1: water level corrected according to cooling water temperature change, t0: reference temperature (temperature when the reference water level is measured), t1: current temperature, C: correction coefficient)

[0086] In addition, the temperature information collecting unit 250 may include a first temperature sensor 251 coupled to the cooling water storage tank 11 and a second temperature sensor provided on the pipeline 2 , and there may be a plurality of second temperature sensors 252 .

[0087] See also Figure 3 as well as Figure 6 The water leakage detection device 1000 of the present invention may include: a cooling water flow restriction component 400, which is located inside the cooling water storage tank 11 at a position facing the cooling water inflow part.

[0088] Specifically, when the flow of cooling water inside the storage tank 11 intensifies due to the fluid flowing in through the pump P, the water level may not be accurately measured by the water level measuring component 100. Therefore, the flow restriction component 400 is used to reduce the fluidity (flow rate) of the cooling water flowing into the storage tank 11.

[0089] At this time, the cooling water flow restriction component 400 may be a structure having a porous structure, but Figure 6 As shown, the cooling water flow restriction component 400 can also be a device of a box structure including a restriction component shell 410 which is open on the front side facing the cooling water inlet and has cooling water outlets formed on the upper and lower sides, and a flow weakening protrusion 420 formed on the inner side surface of the restriction component shell 410.

[0090] In addition, when the cooling water flow restriction assembly 400 adopts a box structure, it is recommended to adopt a triangular cross-sectional shape in the flow weakening protrusion 420, so as to reduce the flow velocity of the contacted cooling water during the process of diffusing to the left and right, and move through the cooling water outlet 411 after reducing the flow velocity.

[0091] In addition, the cooling water flow restriction component 400 adopting a box structure can be tightly coupled to the inner side surface of the cooling water storage tank 11 formed with a cooling water inflow pipe coupling hole, and a cooling water discharge port 411 is formed on the lower side of the restriction component shell 410, so that the cooling water can be discharged after the fluidity of the cooling water is further reduced.

[0092] See also Figure 7 The water leakage detection device 1000 of the present invention may further include: an intermediate storage tank 500, which is coupled to the upper side of the cooling water storage tank 11 and can be used for cooling water circulating through the cooling system 10 to flow in; a first cooling water inflow hole 510 and a second cooling water inflow hole 11-1 may be formed at the lower edge of the intermediate storage tank 500 and the upper edge of the cooling water storage tank 11 facing thereto.

[0093] Specifically, the cooling water circulating in the cooling system 10 flows into the cooling water storage tank 11 during the inflow process, so an intermediate storage tank 500 is formed on the upper side of the cooling water storage tank 11 for the recovered cooling water to flow through, and then a first cooling water inflow hole 510 and a second cooling water inflow hole 11-1 are formed on the lower edge of the intermediate storage tank 500 and the upper side of the cooling water storage tank 11 for the cooling water to flow in, so that the cooling water flowing into the intermediate storage tank 500 can flow into the cooling water storage tank 11 in the form of descending along the inside of the cooling water storage tank 11 after passing through the first cooling water inflow hole 510 and the second cooling water inflow hole 11-1.

[0094] In addition, there may be cooling water that does not flow down along the inner wall of the cooling water storage tank 11, so a spiral cooling water drop path forming component can be combined with the inner side surface of the cooling water storage tank 11, so that the cooling water moves downward along the cooling water drop path forming component.

[0095] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be applied to various fields. Personnel with general knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs can make various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention as claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. A water leakage detection device for detecting water leakage in a cooling system (10), wherein: include: A water level measuring component (100) is coupled to a cooling water storage tank (11) for storing cooling water, and measures the cooling water level on the cooling water storage tank (11); and The control unit (200) detects water leakage based on the operation mode information of the cooling system (10) obtained based on the information received from the cooling system (10) and the cooling water level information received from the water level measuring component (100).

2. The water leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: include: The water leakage notification unit (300) provides water leakage detection information to at least one of a central server and a manager terminal when cooling water leakage is detected in the control unit (200).

3. The water leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: The control unit (200) comprises: A cooling system information collection unit (210) collects information about the cooling system (10) by communicating with the cooling system (10); a water level information collecting unit (220) for collecting water level information by communicating with the water level measuring component (100); and The water leakage determination unit (230) determines a reference water level based on the water level information collected from the water level information collection unit (220), and determines that a water leakage has occurred when the determined reference water level exceeds a set range.

4. The water leakage detection device according to claim 3, wherein: The water leakage determination unit (230) comprises: A water level stabilization determination unit (231) determines whether the water level of the cooling water storage tank (11) is stabilized; a reference water level determination unit (232) that determines a reference water level using the cooling water level information collected by the water level information collection unit (220) within a set time when the water level stabilization determination unit (231) determines that the water level has stabilized; and The determination module (233) determines that a water leak has occurred when the water level of the cooling water received by the water level information collecting unit (220) exceeds a set value from the reference water level determined by the reference water level determining unit (232).

5. The water leakage detection device according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit (200) further includes: An operating mode determination unit (240) determines the operating mode of the cooling system (10) based on the information collected by the cooling system information collection unit (210); The water leakage determination unit (230) re-determines the reference water level when determining that the operation mode of the cooling system (10) has changed.

6. The water leakage detection device according to claim 3, wherein: The control unit (200) comprises: A temperature information collecting unit (250) collects cooling water temperature information of the cooling system (10); The determination module (233) corrects the cooling water level used when determining water leakage based on the temperature received from the temperature information collection unit.

7. The water leakage detection device according to claim 6, wherein: The water level corrected according to the temperature change in the determination module (233) is derived by the following mathematical formula 1: Mathematical formula 1 h1=h0-C*(t1–t0) h0: base water level, h1: The water level corrected according to the change of cooling water temperature. t0: reference temperature, i.e. the temperature when measuring the reference water level, t1: current temperature, C: Correction coefficient.

8. The water leakage detection device according to claim 1, wherein: include: The cooling water flow restriction component (400) is located inside the cooling water storage tank (11) at a position facing the cooling water inflow portion.

9. The water leakage detection device according to claim 8, wherein: The cooling water flow restriction component (400) has a porous structure.

Images