Intelligent natural gas shut-off device
By installing front and rear collection plates on the outside of the natural gas pipeline, along with gas sensors and controllers, the problem of limited monitoring range of existing equipment has been solved, enabling comprehensive leak monitoring and timely shut-off, reducing leak risk and equipment footprint.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YICHENG DIGITAL TECH (WUHAN) CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-09
AI Technical Summary
Existing automatic natural gas shut-off equipment only monitors the connection points of natural gas pipelines and shut-off valves when monitoring natural gas leaks, which makes it difficult to adapt to natural gas pipeline leaks in different environments and results in a limited monitoring range.
The design incorporates a smart natural gas shut-off device, employing a front and rear collection plate in conjunction with a gas sensor to monitor leaks on the outside of the natural gas pipeline in real time. The device uses a controller to operate an electric valve to shut off the flow of natural gas, thereby increasing the monitoring range and improving sealing.
It enables comprehensive leakage monitoring of the outside of natural gas pipelines, timely cut-off of natural gas flow, reduces leakage risk, and reduces the equipment footprint.
Smart Images
Figure CN224339928U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of natural gas transmission technology, and in particular to a smart natural gas cut-off device. Background Technology
[0002] A natural gas pipeline is a pipeline system specifically designed to transport natural gas. It is typically made of high-strength metal or plastic and is used to transport natural gas from gas sources to end users.
[0003] Patent specification CN221035278U discloses an automatic natural gas shut-off device, including a natural gas pipe, a controller, a weather sensor, and an automatic shut-off assembly. The automatic shut-off assembly includes a first control valve, a connecting rod, two cylinders, a fixing ring, and a mounting plate. The natural gas pipe is used to transport natural gas, the natural gas sensor is used to sense whether the air outside the natural gas pipe contains natural gas, and the controller is used to control the device. When the natural gas sensor detects a natural gas leak, the controller controls the cylinders to drive the connecting rod, and the cylinder output extends or retracts, thereby rotating the rotating end of the first control valve, quickly shutting off the connection of the natural gas pipe. This solves the problem that manual shut-off of natural gas is required during use, which can easily lead to accidents and safety incidents when natural gas has already leaked.
[0004] However, in implementing the relevant technology, the above-mentioned automatic natural gas shut-off device has the following problems: when monitoring natural gas leaks, the device only monitors the connection between the natural gas pipeline and the shut-off valve. However, some natural gas pipelines are exposed to the air, and there is a possibility of natural gas leaks due to rupture, corrosion, etc. at any location. This results in the device having a small monitoring range for natural gas leaks and making it difficult to adapt to natural gas pipeline monitoring in different environments. In view of this, a smart natural gas shut-off device is provided to overcome the above defects. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a smart natural gas cut-off device.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model adopts the following technical solution: a smart natural gas shut-off device, comprising a natural gas pipeline, a manual valve disposed on the upper left side of the natural gas pipeline, an electric valve disposed on the upper right side of the natural gas pipeline, a front collecting plate contacting the outer front side of the natural gas pipeline, and a rear collecting plate contacting the outer rear side of the natural gas pipeline, both the front and rear collecting plates having flow grooves inside, and air inlets being provided on the rear end face of the front collecting plate and the front end face of the rear collecting plate, wherein the flow grooves inside the front and rear collecting plates are connected after the front and rear collecting plates are joined together. In this configuration, the air inlets on the rear end face of the front collecting plate and the front end face of the rear collecting plate are interconnected with the flow groove. This allows the flow groove inside the front and rear collecting plates to be connected, enabling natural gas leaks from pipelines in different locations to enter the flow groove through the air inlets and be quickly detected by the sensor probe. A sealing rubber gasket with a thickness of 2mm is provided at the connection between the front and rear collecting plates, effectively reducing the gaps formed after the front and rear collecting plates are connected and preventing natural gas from flowing out through the gaps, thus improving the sealing performance of the flow groove to a certain extent.
[0007] As a further description of the above technical solution: Mounting plates are fixedly connected to the bottom of both the front and rear collecting plates. A gas sensor is fixedly connected to the middle of the front end face of the front collecting plate. A sensor probe is fixedly connected to the output end of the gas sensor. A controller is fixedly connected to the right side of the front end face of the front collecting plate. The middle of the front inner side of the front collecting plate is slidably connected to the outer side of the sensor probe. The top rear end of the front collecting plate contacts the top front end of the rear collecting plate. This allows for the collection of natural gas from the outside of the natural gas pipeline. In conjunction with the gas sensor in the middle of the front end face of the front collecting plate, it enables real-time monitoring of whether a leak has occurred in the natural gas pipeline.
[0008] As a further description of the above technical solution: the gas sensor is electrically connected to the controller, and the controller is electrically connected to the electric valve. The end of the sensor probe away from the gas sensor is set in a flow groove opened inside the front collection plate. If the natural gas concentration in the flow groove exceeds the set value of the gas sensor, the controller controls the electric valve to cut off the natural gas flowing in the natural gas pipeline to prevent continuous leakage of natural gas.
[0009] As a further description of the above technical solution: the natural gas pipeline is provided with several sections, and the manual valve and the electric valve are respectively connected to one section of the natural gas pipeline. The number of controllers is one, and the controller is fixed on the right side of the front end face of the front collection plate on the outside of the natural gas pipeline connected to the electric valve. There are several sections of the natural gas pipeline, and a set of front collection plates and rear collection plates are provided on the outside of each section of the natural gas pipeline. However, there is only one controller for controlling the start of the electric valve, and it is located at the front end near the electric valve.
[0010] As a further description of the above technical solution: there are two mounting plates, and the mounting plates are distributed at the bottom inner side of the front collecting plate and the rear collecting plate. The mounting plates have bolt holes arranged from left to right inside, and the two sets of mounting plates can be connected and fixed by bolts.
[0011] As a further description of the above technical solution: a sealing rubber gasket is provided at the connection between the front collecting plate and the rear collecting plate, and the thickness of the sealing rubber gasket is 2mm, which effectively reduces the gap generated after the front collecting plate and the rear collecting plate are connected, prevents natural gas from flowing out from the gap generated by the connection, and improves the sealing performance of the flow channel to a certain extent.
[0012] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:
[0013] This invention relates to a smart natural gas shut-off device. Through the coordinated design of a front and rear collecting plate, the device can collect natural gas from the outside of the natural gas pipeline. In conjunction with a gas sensor located in the center of the front face of the front collecting plate, it monitors the pipeline for leaks in real time. If the natural gas concentration in the flow channel exceeds the sensor's set value, the controller activates an electric valve to shut off the flow of natural gas in the pipeline, preventing further leakage. Furthermore, the front and rear collecting plates are shaped to match the natural gas pipeline and fit snugly against its outer surface, reducing the size of the natural gas collection device and minimizing the overall footprint. Attached Figure Description
[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall exploded structure of this utility model;
[0016] Figure 3 This is a longitudinal cross-sectional structural diagram of the front and rear collecting plates of this utility model;
[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the inner cross-section of the front collecting plate of this utility model, rotated 90° longitudinally.
[0018] Legend:
[0019] 1. Natural gas pipeline; 2. Manual valve; 3. Electric valve; 4. Front collection plate; 5. Rear collection plate; 6. Gas sensor; 7. Controller; 8. Flow channel; 9. Inlet port; 10. Mounting plate; 11. Sensor probe. Detailed Implementation
[0020] Reference Figures 1 to 4The present invention provides a smart natural gas cut-off device, including a natural gas pipeline 1, a manual valve 2 installed on the upper left side of the natural gas pipeline 1, an electric valve 3 installed on the upper right side of the natural gas pipeline 1, a front collection plate 4 in contact with the outer front side of the natural gas pipeline 1, and a rear collection plate 5 in contact with the outer rear side of the natural gas pipeline 1. Both the front collection plate 4 and the rear collection plate 5 have flow grooves 8 inside, and both the rear end face of the front collection plate 4 and the front end face of the rear collection plate 5 have air inlets 9.
[0021] Both the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 have mounting plates 10 welded to their bottoms. A gas sensor 6 is fixed to the middle of the front end face of the front collecting plate 4 with bolts. A sensor probe 11 is installed at the output end of the gas sensor 6. A controller 7 is fixed to the right side of the front end face of the front collecting plate 4 with bolts. The middle of the front side inside the front collecting plate 4 is slidably connected to the outside of the sensor probe 11. The top rear end of the front collecting plate 4 contacts the top front end of the rear collecting plate 5. This allows for the collection of natural gas from the outside of the natural gas pipeline 1. In conjunction with the gas sensor 6 in the middle of the front end face of the front collecting plate 4, it can monitor in real time whether there is a leak in the natural gas pipeline 1.
[0022] As a further implementation of the above technical solution: the gas sensor 6 is electrically connected to the controller 7, and the controller 7 is electrically connected to the electric valve 3. The end of the sensor probe 11 away from the gas sensor 6 is set in the flow groove 8 opened inside the front collection plate 4. If the natural gas concentration in the flow groove 8 exceeds the set value of the gas sensor 6, the controller 7 controls the electric valve 3 to cut off the natural gas flowing in the natural gas pipeline 1 to prevent continuous leakage of natural gas.
[0023] As a further implementation of the above technical solution: the flow channels 8 inside the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 are in a connected state after the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 are combined. The air inlet 9 opened on the rear end face of the front collecting plate 4 and the front end face of the rear collecting plate 5 are in a connected state with the flow channels 8. This allows the flow channels 8 inside the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 to be in a connected state after they are connected. This allows natural gas leaking from natural gas pipelines 1 in different directions to enter the flow channels 8 through the air inlet 9 and be quickly detected by the sensor probe 11.
[0024] As a further implementation of the above technical solution: the natural gas pipeline 1 is provided with several sections, and the manual valve 2 and the electric valve 3 are respectively connected to one section of the natural gas pipeline 1. There is one controller 7, and the controller 7 is fixed on the right side of the front end face of the front collecting plate 4 on the outside of the natural gas pipeline 1 connected to the electric valve 3. The natural gas pipeline 1 has several sections, and a set of front collecting plates 4 and rear collecting plates 5 are provided on the outside of each section of the natural gas pipeline 1. However, there is only one controller 7 that controls the start of the electric valve 3, and it is located at the front end close to the electric valve 3.
[0025] As a further implementation of the above technical solution: there are two mounting plates 10, and the mounting plates 10 are distributed at the bottom inner side of the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5. The mounting plates 10 have bolt holes arranged from left to right inside, and the two sets of mounting plates 10 can be connected and fixed by bolts.
[0026] As a further implementation of the above technical solution: a sealing rubber gasket is provided at the connection between the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5, and the thickness of the sealing rubber gasket is 2mm, which effectively reduces the gap generated after the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 are connected, prevents natural gas from flowing out from the gap generated by the connection, and improves the sealing performance of the flow channel 8 to a certain extent.
[0027] The gas sensor 6 and controller 7 used in this manual are both commercially available and mature technologies. The specific model of gas sensor 6 is MQ-4 (semiconductor type), and the specific model of controller 7 is ESP8266 / ESP32. This manual does not make any improvements to them, therefore, this manual does not provide further explanation.
[0028] Working principle:
[0029] When using this utility model, the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 are joined and fixed to the outside of the natural gas pipeline 1. A gas sensor 6 and a controller 7 are respectively installed on the front end face of one of the front collecting plates 4. This front collecting plate 4 is located on the outside of the natural gas pipeline 1 connected to the electric valve 3, while the front collecting plate 4 on the outside of the natural gas pipeline 1 connected to the manual valve 2 only has the gas sensor 6. After the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 are joined together, the bolts are removed and inserted into the bolt pre-drilled holes inside the mounting plate 10 extending from the bottom of the front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5, and then tightened to fix them. The front collecting plate 4 and the rear collecting plate 5 are now assembled. The flow channels 8 inside the collection plate 5 are interconnected. By opening the gas sensor 6 and the controller 7, the natural gas pipeline 1 can be monitored in real time. If the surface of the natural gas pipeline 1 leaks natural gas due to corrosion, rupture, or other reasons, the natural gas will enter the flow channel 8 through the air inlet 9 opened on the rear end face of the front collection plate 4 and the front end face of the rear collection plate 5. The sensor probe 11 at the output end of the gas sensor 6 is located in the flow channel 8. When the sensor probe 11 detects that the concentration of natural gas in the flow channel 8 exceeds the set safety value, the gas sensor 6 sends a signal to the controller 7, and the controller 7 then controls the electric valve 3 to start, cutting off the natural gas transported in the natural gas pipeline 1.
[0030] Finally, it should be noted that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model. Although the present utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A smart natural gas cut-off device, comprising a natural gas pipeline (1), characterized in that: A manual valve (2) is provided on the upper left side of the natural gas pipeline (1), and an electric valve (3) is provided on the upper right side of the natural gas pipeline (1). A front collecting plate (4) is in contact with the outer front side of the natural gas pipeline (1), and a rear collecting plate (5) is in contact with the outer rear side of the natural gas pipeline (1). A flow groove (8) is provided inside both the front collecting plate (4) and the rear collecting plate (5). An air inlet (9) is provided on both the rear end face of the front collecting plate (4) and the front end face of the rear collecting plate (5). The flow groove (8) inside the front collecting plate (4) and the rear collecting plate (5) is in a connected state after the front collecting plate (4) and the rear collecting plate (5) are combined. The air inlet (9) on both the rear end face of the front collecting plate (4) and the front end face of the rear collecting plate (5) is in a state of communication with the flow groove (8). A sealing rubber gasket is provided at the connection between the front collecting plate (4) and the rear collecting plate (5), and the thickness of the sealing rubber gasket is 2mm.
2. The intelligent natural gas cut-off device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the front collecting plate (4) and the rear collecting plate (5) are both fixedly connected to the mounting plate (10). A gas sensor (6) is fixedly connected to the middle of the front end face of the front collecting plate (4). A sensor probe (11) is fixedly connected to the output end of the gas sensor (6). A controller (7) is fixedly connected to the right side of the front end face of the front collecting plate (4). The middle of the front side inside the front collecting plate (4) is slidably connected to the outside of the sensor probe (11). The top rear end of the front collecting plate (4) is in contact with the top front end of the rear collecting plate (5).
3. The intelligent natural gas cut-off device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas sensor (6) is electrically connected to the controller (7), and the controller (7) is electrically connected to the electric valve (3). The end of the sensor probe (11) away from the gas sensor (6) is set in the flow groove (8) opened inside the front collection plate (4).
4. The intelligent natural gas cut-off device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The natural gas pipeline (1) is provided with several sections, and the manual valve (2) and the electric valve (3) are respectively connected to one section of the natural gas pipeline (1). The number of controllers (7) is one, and the controller (7) is fixed on the right side of the front end face of the front collection plate (4) on the outside of the natural gas pipeline (1) connected to the electric valve (3).
5. A smart natural gas cut-off device according to claim 2, characterized in that: There are two mounting plates (10), and the mounting plates (10) are located at the bottom inner side of the front collecting plate (4) and the rear collecting plate (5). The mounting plates (10) have bolt holes arranged from left to right inside.