Water cannon water discharge control device

Abstract

The present invention provides a water discharge control device for a water cannon that can reliably discharge water onto the roofs of cultural heritage structures and other structures, and that can prevent damage and soiling of the walls of cultural heritage structures and other structures due to water discharge when the water pressure is insufficient. [Solution] The water discharge control device 1 for a water cannon according to the present invention controls the water cannon 3 to start discharging water when the pressurized water supplied to the water cannon 3 reaches a predetermined pressure, and comprises a valve provided in the water cannon 3 or the water supply pipe 9 that supplies pressurized water to the water cannon 3 to open and close the flow path of the pressurized water, a sensing unit that senses the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the valve, and a valve opening and closing mechanism 7 that opens and closes the valve, wherein the valve opening and closing mechanism 7 closes the flow path with the valve to prevent water from being discharged from the water cannon 3 until the pressure sensed by the sensing unit reaches a predetermined pressure, and opens the valve to allow water to be discharged from the water cannon 3 when the pressure sensed by the sensing unit reaches a predetermined pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water discharge control device for a water discharge gun that controls the start of water discharge from the water discharge gun when the pressure water supplied to the water discharge gun reaches a predetermined pressure.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, water discharge guns have been used as fire protection equipment for protecting cultural property buildings and the like from fires (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When a fire breaks out in the vicinity, water is sprayed from the water discharge gun toward the roof of the cultural property building or the like, and by wetting the entire roof evenly, the spread of fire from flying fire powder and radiant heat to the cultural property building or the like is prevented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problems of water discharge guns for fire protection of cultural property structures and the like will be described below by taking a pole-type water discharge gun as an example. FIG. 3 shows a cultural property structure 43 and a water discharge gun 3 provided in the vicinity thereof. The water discharge gun 3 has a main body 11 installed at the upper end of a water supply pipe 9 erected on the ground, and a nozzle 12 provided on the main body 11. The nozzle 12 is set at a water discharge angle so that water discharge is performed toward the roof 43a of the cultural property structure 43. The water supply pipe 9 also functions as a support column (pole) for supporting the water discharge gun 3 at a high place, and the water discharge gun 3 discharges water upon receiving water supply from the water supply pipe 9.

[0005] As shown in Figure 3, in order to spray water onto the roof of cultural heritage structure 43, it is necessary to pressurize the water using a pump or the like. However, since the pump is activated and pressurization begins when a fire is detected, it takes a certain amount of time for the water discharge pressure to reach the predetermined pressure. Therefore, immediately after the pump is started, the discharge pressure is insufficient, and the intended discharge distance cannot be achieved. As shown in Figure 4, pressurized water W is discharged towards walls 43b and other areas that are not the intended target, potentially damaging or soiling the wall surface or any valuable decorations on it.

[0006] To address the problems described above, conventionally, as shown in Figure 5, the nozzle 12 of the water cannon 3 was kept facing upwards during normal times, and once the water pressure reached a specified value, the nozzle 12 was rotated as shown by the arrow in the figure to spray water towards the roof 43a of the cultural property structure 43. In this way, while the water discharge pressure is insufficient, the pressurized water W is released upward, thus preventing the pressurized water W from being discharged towards the wall surface of the cultural property structure 43.

[0007] However, the above method has the following problems. In Figure 5, the water cannon 3 rotates its nozzle 12 back to an upward position after water discharge (pump stop) in preparation for the next discharge. However, when the nozzle 12 is in an upward position, residual water is likely to accumulate inside the nozzle. Also, because the nozzle 12 is in an upward position under normal circumstances, there is a risk that rainwater may accumulate inside the nozzle. If there is residual water inside the nozzle, there is a risk that the residual water will freeze in winter when the outside temperature drops. If the residual water inside the nozzle freezes, the nozzle 12 will not rotate when water is discharged next time, which would prevent water from being discharged towards the roof 43a of the cultural property structure 43. Furthermore, since the nozzle 12 rotates to a predetermined water discharge angle only after the water discharge pressure reaches a specified value, if debris clogs the rotating part, it may not rotate to the predetermined water discharge angle, potentially resulting in unintended water discharge.

[0008] The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a water discharge control device for a water cannon that can reliably discharge water onto the roof of cultural heritage structures, and that can prevent damage and soiling of the walls of cultural heritage structures, etc., due to water discharge when the water discharge pressure is insufficient. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] (1) The water discharge control device for a water cannon according to the present invention controls the water cannon so that water discharge begins when the pressurized water supplied to the water cannon reaches a predetermined pressure, The water cannon, or the water supply pipe that supplies pressurized water to the water cannon, has a valve that opens and closes the flow path of the pressurized water, a sensing unit that senses the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the valve, and a valve opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the valve. The valve opening and closing mechanism is characterized in that, until the pressure sensed by the sensing unit reaches the predetermined pressure, the valve closes the flow path to prevent water from being discharged from the water cannon, and when the pressure sensed by the sensing unit reaches the predetermined pressure, the valve opens to allow water to be discharged from the water cannon.

[0010] (2) In addition, in the case described in (1) above, the valve is a simultaneous opening valve provided in the water supply piping, The valve opening and closing mechanism is characterized in that it opens and closes the simultaneous opening valve by a pilot valve that opens and closes according to the pressure sensed by the sensing unit.

[0011] (3) In addition, in the case described in (1) above, the valve is an electric valve, The pressure-sensitive unit includes a pressure switch that operates when the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the electric valve reaches a predetermined pressure, or a pressure gauge that measures the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the electric valve. The valve opening and closing mechanism is characterized by comprising a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the electric valve based on the activation signal of the pressure switch or the measurement value of the pressure gauge reaching the predetermined pressure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] In this invention, the valve closes the flow path and prevents water from being discharged from the water cannon until the pressurized water reaches a predetermined pressure, and then opens the valve and discharges water from the water cannon once the pressurized water reaches the predetermined pressure. Therefore, even if the nozzle is always pointed towards cultural heritage structures, damage and soiling of the walls of cultural heritage structures due to water discharge when the discharge pressure is insufficient can be prevented. Furthermore, the nozzle can be directed towards cultural heritage structures even during normal operation, and the nozzle angle does not change during water discharge, so the nozzle angle will not change due to malfunction. In addition, residual water on the secondary side of the simultaneous release valve can be drained after water discharge, and rainwater is less likely to enter the nozzle, so residual water is less likely to accumulate inside the nozzle, as in conventional cases where the nozzle is pointed upward during normal operation, and the problem of the nozzle becoming immobile due to residual water freezing is less likely to occur. Therefore, the situation of being unable to discharge water due to freezing will not occur, and water can be reliably discharged towards the roofs of cultural heritage structures. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is an explanatory diagram of a water discharge control device for a water cannon according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the installation of the water discharge control device for the water cannon shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the challenges of conventional water cannons (Part 1). [Figure 4] This is a diagram illustrating the challenges of conventional water cannons (part 2). [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating the challenges of conventional water cannons (part 3). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] A water discharge control device 1 for a water cannon according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "water discharge control device 1") will be described with reference to Figure 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the water discharge control device 1 of the present embodiment includes a simultaneous opening valve 5 as a valve for opening and closing a flow path of pressurized water supplied to the water discharge gun 3, and a valve opening / closing mechanism 7 for opening and closing the simultaneous opening valve 5. The water discharge gun 3 in FIG. 1 has a main body 11 provided at the upper end of the water supply pipe 9 and a nozzle 12 provided on the main body 11, and discharges water by receiving the supply of pressurized water from the water supply pipe 9. The water supply pipe 9 is connected to a pump (not shown), and pressurized water is supplied to the water supply pipe 9 when the pump operates.

[0015] <Simultaneous opening valve> The simultaneous opening valve 5 is provided in the water supply pipe 9 and opens and closes the flow path of pressurized water. The simultaneous opening valve 5 includes a valve body that opens and closes the flow path of pressurized water, a primary chamber formed on the primary side of the valve body, and a secondary chamber formed on the secondary side of the valve body (both not shown), and is closed during normal times.

[0016] <Valve opening / closing mechanism> The valve opening / closing mechanism 7 includes a piston chamber 13 into which pressurized water is introduced, a piston 15 that operates by receiving the pressure of the pressurized water introduced into the piston chamber 13, a piston rod 17 having one end connected to the piston 15 and the other end attached to the valve body of the simultaneous opening valve 5, an operation pipe 19 for introducing pressurized water from the primary chamber of the simultaneous opening valve 5 into the piston chamber 13, and a pilot valve 21 provided in the path of the operation pipe 19. The arrows shown in the figure indicate the flowing direction of the pressurized water flowing through the operation pipe 19.

[0017] The pilot valve has a valve portion 21a that opens and closes the flow path in the operation pipe 19 and a pressure sensing portion 21b that senses the pressure of the pressurized water. The valve portion 21a is normally closed and opens when the pressure sensed by the pressure sensing portion 21b reaches a predetermined pressure. One end of the operation pipe 19 is connected to the primary chamber of the simultaneous opening valve 5, the other end is connected to the piston chamber 13, and the valve portion 21a of the pilot valve 21 is provided in the middle thereof. Furthermore, a branch pipe 23 is provided on the primary side of the pilot valve 21 in the operating pipe 19, branching off from the operating pipe 19 and connecting to the pressure-sensitive section 21b.

[0018] Furthermore, on the primary side of the pilot valve 21 in the control piping 19, there is a first on-off valve 25 that opens and closes the flow path within the control piping 19, and a strainer 27 for separating debris and other contaminants from the pressurized water flowing through the control piping 19. The first on-off valve 25 is used when replacing parts and is open during use.

[0019] The piston 15 is provided so as to be movable within the piston chamber 13 in the axial direction (left-right direction in the figure) of the piston rod 17. The piston chamber 13 is divided into a first piston chamber 13a and a second piston chamber 13b by the piston 15. Here, the section on the side to which the operating pipe 19 is connected is the first piston chamber 13a, and the section on the side where the piston rod 17 is located is the second piston chamber 13b. The piston 15 is biased by a spring (not shown) in a direction that opposes the pressure of the pressurized water flowing into the first piston chamber 13a.

[0020] The piston 15 is provided with a small hole 29, through which the first piston chamber 13a and the second piston chamber 13b are in communication. As a result, when the piston 15 moves, the air in the second piston chamber 13b is discharged into the first piston chamber 13a through the small hole 29.

[0021] A drain pipe 33 equipped with a second on-off valve 31 is connected to the piston chamber 13, allowing the water in the first piston chamber 13a to be discharged to the outside after water has been released. Furthermore, the piston chamber 13 and the secondary chamber of the simultaneous release valve 5 are connected via a connecting pipe 37 on which a third on-off valve 35 is provided, allowing water and air in the second piston chamber 13b to be discharged into the secondary chamber of the simultaneous release valve 5. Furthermore, a drain pipe 41 equipped with a fourth on-off valve 39 is connected to the secondary chamber of the simultaneous opening valve 5, allowing any remaining water in the secondary chamber and the water cannon 3 to be discharged to the outside after water has been released. During use, the second shut-off valve is closed, the third shut-off valve is open, and the fourth shut-off valve is closed.

[0022] The operation of the water discharge control device 1 of this embodiment, configured as described above, during water discharge will be explained below. Here, the water cannon 3 is located near the cultural heritage structure 43, as shown in Figure 2, and is installed at the upper end of a water supply pipe 9 erected on the ground. Figure 2 is an example of a pole-type water cannon, and the water supply pipe 9 also functions as a support (pole) that holds the water cannon 3 at a high position. Furthermore, the water cannon 3 is configured such that when water is discharged at the prescribed pressure, the discharge angle is adjusted so that water is sprayed onto the roof 43a of the cultural property structure 43.

[0023] A fire breaks out near cultural heritage structure 43, and a pump (not shown) activates, causing pressurized water to flow into the water supply pipe 9. Pressurized water then flows from the water supply pipe 9 into the primary chamber of the simultaneous release valve 5, but because the simultaneous release valve 5 is closed, pressurized water does not flow into the secondary chamber, and the primary chamber becomes filled with pressurized water. Then, some of the pressurized water that has filled the primary chamber flows into the control pipe 19.

[0024] Pressurized water flowing into the operating pipe 19 passes through the first on-off valve 25 and is supplied to the valve section 21a of the pilot valve 21. It is also supplied to the pressure-sensitive section 21b via the branch pipe 23. At this time, since the valve section 21a is in the closed state, the pressurized water fills the primary side of the valve section 21a and does not flow to the secondary side. Immediately after the pump is started, the pressure of the pressurized water supplied to the pressure-sensitive section 21b is low, so the pilot valve 21 does not open and remains closed.

[0025] As described above, the pilot valve 21 remains closed until the pressurized water reaches a predetermined pressure, so pressurized water does not flow into the piston chamber 13 of the simultaneous release valve 5, and the simultaneous release valve 5 remains closed. In other words, since pressurized water is not supplied to the water cannon 3 while the pressure of the pressurized water is insufficient, water is not discharged when the discharge pressure is insufficient, and the discharge of water towards the wall 43b of the cultural property structure 43 can be suppressed, thereby preventing damage to the wall surface and any decorations applied to the wall surface.

[0026] Subsequently, as the pressure of the pressurized water increases and the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive part 21b of the pilot valve 21 reaches a predetermined pressure (predetermined discharge pressure), the valve part 21a of the pilot valve 21 opens, and pressurized water is introduced into the first piston chamber 13a. The piston 15 moves to the left in the figure due to the pressure of the pressurized water flowing into the first piston chamber 13a. At this time, the air in the second piston chamber 13b is discharged through the connecting pipe 37 into the secondary chamber of the simultaneous release valve 5. Furthermore, pressurized water in the first piston chamber 13a also flows into the second piston chamber 13b through the small hole 29, but the pressurized water that flows into the second piston chamber 13b is discharged into the secondary chamber of the simultaneous release valve 5 via the connecting pipe 37.

[0027] When the piston 15 moves due to the pressure of the pressurized water, the valve body of the simultaneous release valve 5, which is connected via the piston rod 17, moves in the opening direction. As a result, the primary and secondary chambers are connected, and the pressurized water that was filling the primary chamber flows into the secondary chamber. Then, the pressurized water flows through the secondary side of the simultaneous release valve 5, and as shown in Figure 2, the pressurized water W is discharged from the water cannon 3.

[0028] At this time, the pressurized water supplied to the water cannon 3 has sufficient pressure, so water is discharged from the water cannon 1 at the specified pressure, and a predetermined amount of pressurized water W is sprayed onto the roof 43a of the cultural property structure 43. This wets the roof 43a, protecting the cultural property structure 43 from sparks and other debris flying in from nearby fires.

[0029] After water is discharged and the pump is stopped, the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive part 21b of the pilot valve 21 decreases as the water flow pressure drops, causing the valve part 21a to close. As a result, the inflow of pressurized water into the piston chamber 13 stops, and the piston 15 moves in the closing direction due to the biasing force of the spring that biases the piston 15. As a result, the simultaneous release valve 5 closes, and the discharge of water from the water cannon 3 stops.

[0030] As described above, according to this embodiment, water is not discharged from the water cannon 3 until the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive unit 21b reaches a predetermined pressure, and once the pressure sensed by the pressure-sensitive unit 21b reaches the predetermined pressure, water is discharged from the water cannon 3. Therefore, water is not discharged when the discharge pressure is insufficient. Furthermore, after the pump stops, the pressure of the pressurized water gradually decreases, but when the pressurized water pressure falls below the specified pressure, the water discharge from the water cannon 3 also stops, so even in this case, water is not discharged when the discharge pressure is insufficient. This suppresses the spraying of water towards the wall 43b of the cultural property structure 43, thereby preventing damage to the wall surface and any decorations applied to it.

[0031] In the example shown in Figure 1, the operating pipe 19 was connected to the primary chamber of the simultaneous opening valve 5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operating pipe 19 may also be connected to the water supply pipe 9 connected to the primary side of the simultaneous opening valve 5.

[0032] Furthermore, the above describes a configuration in which a simultaneous opening valve 5 is provided as the valve of the present invention, and the pressure-sensitive part 21b of the pilot valve 21 is made to function as the sensing part of the present invention, and the valve opening and closing mechanism 7 is configured so that the simultaneous opening valve 5 opens and closes in conjunction with the opening and closing of the pilot valve 21, but the present invention is not limited to this. In another embodiment, for example, the opening and closing of the flow path may be controlled by electric motors. Such an example is described below.

[0033] In other embodiments, the water discharge control device includes an electric valve as a valve for opening and closing a flow path, a pressure switch or pressure gauge as a sensing unit for sensing the pressure of pressurized water, and a control unit as a valve opening and closing mechanism for opening and closing the electric valve. The electric valve is installed in the water flow path within the water cannon or water supply piping and is normally kept closed.

[0034] If the sensing unit is a pressure switch, the pressure switch is installed on the primary side of the electric valve and is configured to activate and emit an activation signal when the pressurized water on the primary side reaches a predetermined pressure. The control unit is configured to control the opening and closing of the electric valve based on the operating signal emitted by the pressure switch, and is electrically connected to the pressure switch and the electric valve. Furthermore, if the sensing unit is a pressure gauge, the pressure gauge is installed on the primary side of the electric valve and continuously measures the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side, and the control unit continuously monitors the measured value. The control unit is configured to control the opening and closing of the electric valve when the measured pressure reaches a specified value, and is electrically connected to the pressure gauge and the electric valve.

[0035] In the above-described water discharge control device, immediately after the pump is started, the electric valve installed in the water cannon or water supply piping is closed, so no water is discharged from the water cannon. If the sensing element is a pressure switch, when the pressurized water on the primary side of the electric valve reaches a predetermined pressure, the pressure switch activates and emits an activation signal. The activation signal is continuously emitted while the pressure switch is activated (in the ON state). When the control unit receives an activation signal, it opens the electric valve. This allows pressurized water to flow through the secondary side of the electric valve, and the pressurized water is released from the water cannon at a specified pressure. Furthermore, if the sensing unit is a pressure gauge, when the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the electric valve reaches a specified value, the control unit opens the electric valve based on the pressure gauge reading. The electric valve opening control continues as long as the pressure measured by the pressure gauge is above the specified value.

[0036] If the sensing element is a pressure switch, stopping the pump will turn off the pressure switch and stop the operating signal. When the activation signal stops, the control unit closes the electric valve, and the water discharge from the water cannon stops. If the sensing unit is a pressure gauge, when the pump is stopped, the pressure gauge reading will fall below the specified value, the control unit will close the electric valve, and the water discharge from the water cannon will stop.

[0037] Even in the configuration described above, water discharge begins only after the pressure of the pressurized water has risen sufficiently, and stops when the pressure of the pressurized water has decreased, so water discharge does not occur when the discharge pressure is insufficient. Therefore, similar to the example in Figure 1, it is suitable for a water cannon 3 used for fire prevention of cultural heritage structures 43. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Water discharge control device (for a water cannon) 3. Water cannon 5. Simultaneous opening valve 7. Valve opening and closing mechanism 9. Water supply piping 11 Main unit 12 nozzles 13 Piston chamber 13a First piston chamber 13b Second piston chamber 15 pistons 17 Piston Rod 19 Operating piping 21 Pilot valve 21a Valve part 21b Pressure-sensitive section 23 Branch piping 25. First shut-off valve 27 Strainer 29 Small hole 31. Second shut-off valve 33 Drain pipe 35 Third shut-off valve 37 Connecting pipe 39. Fourth shut-off valve 41 Drain pipe 43 Cultural property structures 43a Roof 43b wall W Pressurized water

Claims

1. A water discharge control device for a water cannon controls the water cannon to start discharging water when the pressurized water supplied to the water cannon reaches a predetermined pressure, The water cannon, or the water supply pipe that supplies pressurized water to the water cannon, has a valve that opens and closes the flow path of the pressurized water, a sensing unit that senses the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the valve, and a valve opening and closing mechanism that opens and closes the valve. The valve opening and closing mechanism is characterized in that, until the pressure sensed by the sensing unit reaches the predetermined pressure, the valve closes the flow path to prevent water from being discharged from the water cannon, and when the pressure sensed by the sensing unit reaches the predetermined pressure, the valve opens to allow water to be discharged from the water cannon.

2. The valve is a simultaneous opening valve installed in the water supply piping, The water discharge control device for a water cannon according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve opening and closing mechanism opens and closes the simultaneous opening valve by a pilot valve that opens and closes according to the sensing pressure of the sensing unit.

3. The valve is an electric valve, The pressure-sensitive unit includes a pressure switch that operates when the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the electric valve reaches a predetermined pressure, or a pressure gauge that measures the pressure of the pressurized water on the primary side of the electric valve. The water discharge control device for a water cannon according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve opening and closing mechanism includes a control unit that controls the opening and closing of the electric valve based on the operating signal of the pressure switch or the measurement value of the pressure gauge reaching the predetermined pressure.

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