Gas cutting system and flame control support method

Abstract

This invention provides a gas cutting system and flame control support method that enable appropriate gas flow rate adjustment without mixing hydrogen gas with hydrocarbon gases. [Solution] The gas cutting system 100 comprises a gas cutting torch 1 having a nozzle 41 that releases fuel gas from its tip 41a and capable of generating a flame P using the fuel gas; an acquisition device 2 that acquires an image including a transparent region of the flame P generated near the tip 41a of the nozzle 41; and a control device 3 that applies predetermined image processing to the image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region is improved compared to the image, wherein the fuel gas is hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gas cutting system and a flame adjustment support method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a gas cutter that cuts an object to be cut such as a steel plate by supplying fuel gas and oxygen. The gas cutter releases a flame from the nozzle at the tip of the gas cutter at the cutting site of the object to be cut to heat it, releases oxygen to the heated cutting site to burn it, and blows off the burned cutting site with oxygen to cut the object to be cut. As a gas cutting method using a gas cutter, for example, a gas cutting method using a fuel gas in which hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon gas are mixed is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The hydrocarbon gas mixed with hydrogen gas is, for example, propane, acetylene, methane, butane, or the like.

[0003] In gas cutting by a conventional gas cutter, a flame adjustment method of adjusting an appropriate gas flow rate by observing a white core generated in the flame is known. The white core indicates a white portion generated near the nozzle in the flame generated by the gas cutter. Also, a flame adjustment method of measuring the gas flow rate using a measuring device such as a mass flow meter or a mass flow controller and manually or automatically adjusting the gas flow rate based on the measured value is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when a mixture of hydrogen gas and hydrocarbon gas is used for gas cutting, greenhouse gases including CO2 may be emitted into the atmosphere. In recent years, from the perspective of carbon neutrality, there has been a demand for gas cutting using 100% hydrogen gas as the fuel gas, without any hydrocarbon gases.

[0006] On the other hand, when using 100% hydrogen gas as fuel, the visibility of the white core of the flame is inferior compared to when using a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and hydrocarbon gas, making it difficult to adjust the gas flow rate. Therefore, when generating a flame with hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gas, it is necessary to adjust the gas flow rate using measuring devices such as mass flow meters, which may increase equipment costs.

[0007] Based on the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a gas cutting system and a flame adjustment support method that enable appropriate gas flow rate adjustment without mixing hydrogen gas with hydrocarbon gases. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, this invention proposes the following means. The gas cutting system of the present invention comprises a gas cutting device having a nozzle that releases fuel gas from its tip and capable of generating a flame using the fuel gas; an acquisition device that acquires an image including a transparent region of the flame generated near the tip of the nozzle; and a control device that performs predetermined image processing on the acquired image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region is improved compared to the acquired image, wherein the fuel gas is hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases.

[0009] The flame adjustment support method of the present invention is a method for supporting flame adjustment work for a gas cutting torch capable of generating a flame using hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases, and comprises an acquisition step of acquiring an image image including a transparent region of the flame generated near the tip of the nozzle that emits the flame, and an image processing step of applying predetermined image processing to the acquired image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region is improved compared to the acquired image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The gas cutting system and flame adjustment support method of the present invention provide a gas cutting system and flame adjustment support method that enable appropriate gas flow rate adjustment without mixing hydrogen gas with hydrocarbon gases. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the configuration of the gas cutting system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically shows the flame generated by the gas cutting system. [Figure 3] This photograph shows how flames appear differently depending on the type of fuel gas used. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a flame adjustment support method using the gas cutting system. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of a processed image obtained by image processing using the gas cutting system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of the gas cutting system 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the flame P generated by the gas cutting system 100.

[0013] The gas cutting system 100 comprises a gas cutting torch 1, an acquisition device 2, a control device 3, and a display device 4.

[0014] The gas cutting torch 1 comprises an oxygen supply port 20, a fuel gas supply port 30, a torch 40, a cutting oxygen valve 50, a preheating oxygen valve 60, and a fuel gas valve 70. The gas cutting torch 1 is a gas cutting torch in which oxygen supplied from the oxygen supply port 20 and fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply port 30 are discharged from the torch 40 via a flow path (conduit) provided in the gas cutting torch 1.

[0015] For example, by igniting the gas emitted from the gas cutting torch 1 with a lighter or the like, a flame P can be emitted from the torch 40. The gas cutting torch 1 can cut the object to be cut by applying the flame P emitted from the torch 40 to the cutting area of ​​the object to be cut, such as a steel plate, heating the cutting area, releasing oxygen to the heated cutting area to cause combustion, and blowing away the burnt cutting area with oxygen.

[0016] The gas cutting torch 1 may be a manual gas cutting torch or an automatic gas cutting torch. A manual gas cutting torch is, for example, a gas cutting torch that cuts an object by manually moving the torch 40 relative to the object to be cut. An automatic gas cutting torch is, for example, a gas cutting torch that cuts an object by controlling the position of the torch 40 with an NC device or the like and automatically moving the torch 40 relative to the object to be cut.

[0017] The oxygen supply port 20 is an opening that allows oxygen to be supplied from the outside to the flow path inside the gas cutting torch 1. For example, the oxygen supply port 20 is connected by a hose (not shown) via an oxygen cylinder (not shown) filled with oxygen and a pressure regulator (not shown). Oxygen is supplied from the oxygen cylinder to the oxygen supply port 20 via the pressure regulator and hose, and oxygen flows from the oxygen supply port 20 into the flow path inside the gas cutting torch 1. The oxygen that flows into the gas cutting torch 1 from the oxygen supply port 20 flows through the flow path inside the gas cutting torch 1 to the cutting oxygen valve 50 and the preheating oxygen valve 60.

[0018] The fuel gas supply port 30 is an opening through which fuel gas can be supplied from the outside to the flow path in the gas cutter 1. For example, the fuel gas supply port 30 is connected by a hose (not shown) via a fuel gas cylinder (not shown) filled with fuel gas and a pressure regulator (not shown). Fuel gas is supplied from the fuel gas cylinder to the fuel gas supply port 30 via the pressure regulator and the hose, and the fuel gas flows into the flow path in the gas cutter 1 from the fuel gas supply port 30. The fuel gas flowing into the gas cutter 1 from the fuel gas supply port 30 flows to the fuel gas valve 70 via the flow path in the gas cutter 1.

[0019] The flow path through which the oxygen supplied from the oxygen supply port 20 flows branches into a flow path through which oxygen (cutting oxygen) flowing through the cutting oxygen valve 50 flows and a flow path through which oxygen (preheated oxygen) flowing through the preheated oxygen valve 60 flows. The fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply port 30 flows through the fuel gas valve 70 and then merges with the preheated oxygen and is mixed to form a mixed gas.

[0020] The torch 40 is a part into which the cutting oxygen flowing through the cutting oxygen valve 50 and the mixed gas in which the preheated oxygen and the fuel gas are mixed flow. At the tip of the torch 40, a nozzle 41 capable of discharging oxygen and the mixed gas from the tip portion 41a is provided.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, inside the nozzle 41, an oxygen discharge flow path 42 through which the cutting oxygen flows and a gas discharge flow path 43 through which the mixed gas flows are formed. The oxygen discharge flow path 42 and the gas discharge flow path 43 open at the tip portion 41a of the nozzle 41, and the cutting oxygen and the mixed gas are discharged from the tip portion 41a of the nozzle 41.

[0022] The cutting oxygen valve 50 is a valve capable of changing the flow rate of the cutting oxygen flowing from the oxygen supply port 20 to the oxygen discharge flow path 42. By operating the cutting oxygen valve 50, the flow rate of the cutting oxygen discharged from the tip portion 41a of the nozzle 41 can be changed. The cutting oxygen valve 50 only needs to be able to change the flow rate of the cutting oxygen discharged from the tip portion 41a of the nozzle 41, and for example, has a known valve structure used in a conventional gas cutter.

[0023] The preheating oxygen valve 60 is a valve that can change the flow rate of preheating oxygen flowing from the oxygen supply port 20 to the gas discharge channel 43. By operating the preheating oxygen valve 60, the flow rate of preheating oxygen released from the tip 41a of the nozzle 41 as a mixed gas mixed with fuel gas can be changed. The preheating oxygen valve 60 only needs to be able to change the flow rate of preheating oxygen flowing from the oxygen supply port 20 to the gas discharge channel 43, and can have, for example, a known valve structure used in conventional gas cutting torches.

[0024] The fuel gas valve 70 is a valve that can change the flow rate of fuel gas flowing from the fuel gas supply port 30 to the gas discharge channel 43. By operating the fuel gas valve 70, the flow rate of fuel gas discharged from the tip 41a of the nozzle 41 as a mixed gas mixed with preheated oxygen can be changed. The fuel gas valve 70 only needs to be able to change the flow rate of fuel gas flowing from the fuel gas supply port 30 to the gas discharge channel 43, and can have a known valve structure, for example, that is used in conventional gas cutting torches. In the gas cutting torch 1, the mixing ratio of preheated oxygen and fuel gas can be changed by operating the preheated oxygen valve 60 and the fuel gas valve 70.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the flame P generated by the gas cutting torch 1 includes a transparent region R1 and a light-emitting region R2. The transparent region R1 is the region of the flame P generated near the tip 41a of the nozzle 41. The light-emitting region R2 is the region of the flame P that is mainly blown onto the object to be cut and heats the object, and is located further from the nozzle 41 than the transparent region R1.

[0026] In the direction from which the flame P is emitted (emission direction), the transparent region R1 is the region generated at the base end Pa of the flame P, and the luminescent region R2 is the region generated on the tip side of the flame P, relative to the transparent region R1.

[0027] Acquisition device 2 is, for example, an imaging device such as a camera, and acquires an image (captured image) that includes the transparent region R1. Acquisition device 2 transmits the acquired captured image to control device 3. The captured image acquired by acquisition device 2 only needs to include at least the transparent region R1, for example, an image taken near the tip 41a of the crater 41.

[0028] The control device 3 is a control device capable of controlling part or all of the gas cutting system 100. The control device 3 is, for example, a programmable device (computer) equipped with a processor, memory, and storage unit. Each function of the control device 3 is realized, for example, by one or more processors, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), executing a program stored in program memory. However, all or part of these functions may be realized by hardware (e.g., circuitry) such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Furthermore, all or part of the above functions may be realized by a combination of software and hardware. The storage unit is realized by flash memory, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), ROM (Read-Only Memory), or RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0029] The control device 3 comprises an input unit 3a, a processing unit 3b, and an output unit 3c. The input unit 3a receives the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2, which is connected to the control device 3 via wired or wireless communication. The input unit 3a transmits the received captured image to the processing unit 3b.

[0030] The processing unit 3b performs predetermined image processing on the captured image received from the input unit 3a. The image processing performed by the processing unit 3b will be described later. The processing unit 3b transmits the processed image data (processed image) to the output unit 3c. The output unit 3c transmits the processed image received from the processing unit 3b to the display device 4.

[0031] The display device 4 is connected to the control device 3 via wired or wireless communication and is capable of displaying the processed images received from the control device 3. The display device 4 is, for example, a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) such as a VR headset or smart glasses that can display acquired image data using methods such as VR (Virtual Reality) or AR (Augmented Reality).

[0032] The gas cutting system 100 acquires an image including the transparent region R1 using the acquisition device 2, generates a processed image by applying image processing to the acquired image using the control device 3, and displays the generated processed image on the display device 4. The display device 4 only needs to be capable of displaying image data received from the control device 3, and may be a liquid crystal display, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal.

[0033] In this embodiment, the fuel gas supplied from the fuel gas supply port 30 into the gas cutter 1 is hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases, for example, a fuel gas with a hydrogen gas ratio of 100%.

[0034] Figure 3 shows photographs illustrating how flames appear differently depending on the type of fuel gas used. The photographs in Figure 3, from left to right, show flames generated using "fuel mixture gas," "hydrogen gas," and "liquefied petroleum gas" as fuel gases.

[0035] "Fuel mixture gas" is a fuel gas used for cutting steel plates, and is, for example, a mixture of hydrogen gas and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas). "Hydrogen gas" is hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases and is 100% hydrogen gas. "Liquefied Petroleum Gas" is LPG, and is, for example, 100% propane gas.

[0036] As shown in Figure 3, flames generated by "fuel mixture gases" containing hydrocarbon gases and "liquefied petroleum gas" produce a white core near the tip of the nozzle. The white core refers to the white portion that forms near the tip of the nozzle in the flame generated by a gas cutting torch. In conventional gas cutting, for example, the operator observes the white core that forms in the flame, adjusts the appropriate gas flow rate based on the white core, and generates a flame suitable for gas cutting.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, flames generated by "fuel mixture gases" containing hydrocarbon gases and "liquefied petroleum gas" have excellent visibility of the white core, allowing workers to adjust the gas flow rate by observing the white core. In particular, flames generated by "liquefied petroleum gas (e.g., 100% propane gas)" have a brightly shining white core, making it easy for workers to see.

[0038] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, hydrogen gas, which does not contain hydrocarbon gases, exhibits inferior visibility of the white core in the resulting flame compared to fuel mixture gases and liquefied petroleum gas. The transparent region R1 shown in Figure 2 is, for example, the region corresponding to the white core. The transparent region R1 is a region whose shape and appearance are similar to the white core containing hydrocarbon gases. When hydrogen gas, which does not contain hydrocarbon gases, is used as the fuel gas, the transparent region R1 becomes a transparent region. Note that the transparent region R1 does not have to be strictly transparent.

[0039] The transparent region R1 has lower visibility compared to the white core that glows white. Furthermore, the transparent region R1 has lower visibility than the luminescent region R2 that is sprayed onto the object to be cut. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator to see the flame P and determine the boundary between the transparent region R1 and the luminescent region R2.

[0040] Therefore, when hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases is used as the fuel gas, it is difficult for the operator to adjust the gas flow rate based on the transparency region R1, and it may not be possible to adequately adjust the flame during gas cutting.

[0041] In this embodiment, the gas cutting system 100 is a system that can support flame adjustment work so that the operator can appropriately adjust the gas flow rate even when hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases is used as the fuel gas.

[0042] Next, a method for assisting flame adjustment using the gas cutting system 100 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for assisting flame adjustment using the gas cutting system 100.

[0043] (Step S10) In the flame adjustment support method using the gas cutting system 100, first, a flame generation process (step S10) is performed. In step S10, the gas cutting torch 1 generates a flame P by releasing oxygen and fuel gas from the tip 41a of the nozzle 41.

[0044] In step S10, for example, the operator introduces oxygen into the gas cutting torch 1 from the oxygen supply port 20 and fuel gas into the gas cutting torch 1 from the fuel gas supply port 30. At this time, the fuel gas introduced into the gas cutting torch 1 is hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases.

[0045] The operator operates the cutting oxygen valve 50, the preheating oxygen valve 60, and the fuel gas valve 70, etc., to generate a flame P emitted from the tip 41a of the nozzle 41. At this time, a transparent region R1 is generated at the base end Pa of the flame P. The transparent region R1 is, for example, a transparent area that is difficult for the operator to see compared to the white core.

[0046] (Step S20) Next, the gas cutting system 100 performs an acquisition process (step S20). In step S20, the gas cutting system 100 acquires an image including the transparent region R1 using the acquisition device 2.

[0047] In step S20, for example, the control device 3 controls the acquisition device 2 and causes the acquisition device 2 to acquire an image. At this time, the acquisition device 2, for example, captures the region including the transparent region R1 by monochrome imaging and acquires an image. The acquisition device 2 transmits the acquired image to the input unit 3a of the control device 3. The image received by the input unit 3a is transmitted to the processing unit 3b.

[0048] (Step S30) Next, the gas cutting system 100 performs an image processing step (step S30). In step S30, the processing unit 3b of the control device 3 performs predetermined image processing on the captured image acquired from the acquisition device 2 via the input unit 3a.

[0049] In this embodiment, the processing unit 3b generates image data (processed image) with inverted colors from the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2 through monochrome photography. The processing unit 3b also generates image data (processed image) with increased contrast from the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2 through monochrome photography.

[0050] Figure 5 shows an example of a processed image obtained by the processing unit 3b of the gas cutting system 100. Figure 5 is a table that associates the image before image processing by the processing unit 3b (captured image) with the image after image processing by the processing unit 3b (processed image), showing the images before and after color inversion and before and after contrast change. Figure 5 also shows the captured and processed images in three cases where the equivalent ratio of oxygen and hydrogen gas is different from each other.

[0051] Figure 5 shows, from top to bottom, the captured and processed images for the following conditions: "oxygen flow rate of 10 L / min, hydrogen gas flow rate of 20 L / min, equivalent ratio of 1", "oxygen flow rate of 10 L / min, hydrogen gas flow rate of 25 L / min, equivalent ratio of 1.25", and "oxygen flow rate of 10 L / min, hydrogen gas flow rate of 30 L / min, equivalent ratio of 1.5".

[0052] In each row of Figure 5, "Image before color inversion (before inversion) and before contrast change (contrast 0%); First Image" is the captured image before image processing by the processing unit 3b. The First Image is image data acquired by the acquisition device 2 by monochrome photography.

[0053] Furthermore, in each row of Figure 5, "Image after color inversion (after inversion) and before contrast change (contrast 0%); second image," "Image before color inversion (before inversion) and after contrast change (contrast +40%); third image," and "Image after color inversion (after inversion) and after contrast change (contrast +40%); fourth image" are processed images after image processing by processing unit 3b.

[0054] In this embodiment, contrast refers to the difference in brightness of an image. That is, an image with 40% increased contrast refers to an image in which the difference in brightness has been increased by 40% compared to the image before the contrast was increased.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, the second and third images, which have only one of the color inversion or contrast modification processes applied, show improved visibility of the transparent region R1 compared to the first image, which is an image captured without any color inversion or contrast modification processes.

[0056] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the fourth image, which has undergone both color inversion and contrast modification processing, shows improved visibility of the transparent region R1 compared to the second and third images described above.

[0057] In the example shown in Figure 5, the difference in visibility of the transparent region R1 between the captured image before image processing (first image) and the processed images after image processing (second, third, and fourth images) is particularly pronounced when the equivalence ratio is 1.5.

[0058] In this way, the control device 3 applies predetermined image processing to the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2 to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region R1 is improved compared to the captured image. The control device 3 may apply only one of the following to the captured image: a color inversion process or a contrast enhancement process, or it may apply both the color inversion process and the contrast enhancement process.

[0059] In the example shown in Figure 5, the fourth image, which has undergone color inversion and contrast enhancement processing, exhibits the best visibility of the transparent region R1. It is preferable for the control device 3 to apply color inversion and contrast enhancement processing to the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2 through monochrome photography. Furthermore, when applying contrast enhancement processing, it is preferable for the control device 3 to increase the contrast by 40%. By applying these image processing steps, the visibility of the transparent region R1 can be more effectively improved.

[0060] Furthermore, the control device 3 only needs to be able to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region R1 is improved compared to the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2. The control device 3 may generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region R1 is improved by applying processes such as changing the brightness or removing noise to the captured image acquired by the acquisition device 2.

[0061] (Step S40) Next, the gas cutting system 100 performs a display step (step S40). In step S40, the control device 3 outputs the processed image, which has undergone predetermined image processing by the processing unit 3b in step S30, to the display device 4 via the output unit 3c. The display device 4 displays the processed image acquired from the control device 3.

[0062] (Step S50) In the flame adjustment support method using the gas cutting system 100, after performing step S40, a flame determination step (step S50) is performed. In step S50, for example, the operator determines whether the gas flow rate of the flame P generated by the gas cutter 1 is appropriate by checking the processed image displayed on the display device 4 in step S40.

[0063] In step S50, if it is determined that the gas flow rate is appropriate, the flame adjustment support method by the gas cutting system 100 is terminated. This allows the operator to perform gas cutting on the object to be cut using the flame P generated by the appropriate gas flow rate.

[0064] If it is determined in step S50 that the gas flow rate is inappropriate, the process proceeds to step S60 (flame adjustment step) to adjust the gas flow rate.

[0065] (Step S60) In step S60, for example, the operator adjusts the gas flow rate while checking the transparent area R1 in the processed image displayed on the display device 4 in step S40. At this time, the work efficiency of the flame adjustment work can be improved by having the operator wear the display device 4, which is a head-mounted display that displays the processed image using VR or AR.

[0066] In conventional gas cutting torches, the operator adjusts the gas flow rate by visually observing the white core of the flame, thereby generating a flame suitable for processing the material to be cut. Specifically, the operator adjusts the gas flow rate released from the tip of the nozzle by operating the cutting oxygen valve, preheating oxygen valve, or fuel gas valve based on the white core.

[0067] When hydrogen gas, which does not contain hydrocarbon gases, is used as the fuel gas, it is difficult to see the white core, as shown in Figure 3. The gas cutting system 100 applies predetermined image processing to the image captured by the acquisition device 2, thereby generating a processed image with improved visibility of the transparent region R1, as shown in Figure 5. By visualizing the transparent region R1 in this processed image, the operator can adjust the gas flow rate based on the transparent region R1, similar to conventional flame adjustment work where the gas flow rate is adjusted based on the white core, and generate a flame P suitable for processing the object to be cut.

[0068] Specifically, the operator adjusts the gas flow rate released from the tip 41a of the nozzle 41 appropriately by operating the cutting oxygen valve 50, the preheating oxygen valve 60, or the fuel gas valve 70 based on the transparent area R1, and performs flame adjustment work. In the flame adjustment support method using the gas cutting system 100, after performing the flame adjustment work based on the transparent area R1 in step S60, the flame adjustment support method using the gas cutting system 100 is terminated.

[0069] In this way, even when hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases is used as the fuel gas, the gas cutting system 100 can support flame adjustment work by generating a processed image with improved visibility of the transparent region R1, thereby enabling the operator to properly adjust the gas flow rate.

[0070] The acquisition device 2 may acquire a video as an image including the transparent region R1. The control device 3 may generate a processed image with improved visibility of the transparent region R1 by applying image processing to a predetermined frame (image) extracted from the video acquired by the acquisition device 2.

[0071] Alternatively, the control device 3 may extract multiple frames from the video acquired by the acquisition device 2, apply image processing to each frame to generate multiple processed images, and then generate a video with image processing applied based on the multiple processed images. In this case, the display device 4 displays the video generated by the control device 3.

[0072] The control device 3 generates a video with improved visibility of the transparent region R1 through image processing, and displays this video on the display device 4, allowing the operator to check the appearance of the transparent region R1 in the flame P in near real time. As a result, in step S60, the operator can adjust the gas flow rate while checking the changes in the shape and size of the transparent region R1 due to the change in gas flow rate, enabling efficient flame adjustment work.

[0073] The gas cutting system 100 of this embodiment includes a gas cutting torch 1 having a nozzle 41 that emits fuel gas (hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases) from its tip 41a and capable of generating a flame P using the fuel gas; an acquisition device 2 that acquires an image including a transparent region R1 of the flame P generated near the tip 41a of the nozzle 41; and a control device 3 that applies predetermined image processing to the image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region R1 is improved compared to the image.

[0074] Furthermore, the flame adjustment support method of this embodiment includes an acquisition step S20 for acquiring an image image that includes a transparent region R1 of the flame P generated near the tip 41a of the nozzle 41 that emits the flame P, and an image processing step S30 for applying predetermined image processing to the image image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent region R1 is improved compared to the image image.

[0075] According to this gas cutting system 100 and flame adjustment support method, even if a white core is not formed in the flame P generated by hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases, and a transparent region R1 with lower visibility than the white core is formed, an image with improved visibility of the transparent region R1 can be generated by applying image processing to the captured image of the transparent region R1. As a result, the operator can adjust the gas flow rate appropriately based on the transparent region R1.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the gas cutting system 100 and flame adjustment support method of this embodiment, by enabling appropriate gas flow rate adjustment based on the transparent region R1, even when hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases is used as the fuel gas, there is no need to use measuring devices such as mass flow meters or mass flow controllers, thereby suppressing an increase in equipment costs.

[0077] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention are also included. Furthermore, the components shown in the above-described embodiment and the following modifications can be combined as appropriate.

[0078] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the gas cutting torch 1 generates a flame P by adjusting the flow rates of oxygen and fuel gas by operating the cutting oxygen valve 50, the preheating oxygen valve 60, and the fuel gas valve 70, but the configuration of the gas cutting torch is not limited thereto. The gas cutting torch only needs to be capable of generating a flame using hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases, and is not limited to the above configuration.

[0079] (Modification 2) In the above embodiment, the gas cutting system 100 comprises one gas cutting device 1 and one acquisition device 2, but the configuration of the gas cutting system is not limited thereto. The gas cutting system may comprise multiple gas cutting devices, or multiple acquisition devices corresponding to each of the multiple gas cutting devices. Furthermore, the gas cutting system may be configured so that captured images from multiple gas cutting devices can be acquired by a single acquisition device.

[0080] Furthermore, the gas cutting system may be configured so that multiple acquisition devices can capture images from different positions or angles relative to a single gas cutting torch. In this case, for example, the control device may perform image processing on multiple captured images taken from different positions or angles relative to a single gas cutting torch to generate multiple processed images. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 100 Gas Cutting Systems 1. Gas cutting torch 41 Craters 41a Tip of the crater 2 Acquisition device 3. Control device 4 Display device P flame R1 transparent area S20 acquisition process S30 Image Processing Process S40 Display process

Claims

1. A gas cutting torch having a nozzle that releases fuel gas from its tip and capable of generating a flame using the fuel gas, An acquisition device that acquires an image of the flame generated near the tip of the nozzle, including the transparent region of the flame. A control device that applies predetermined image processing to the captured image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent area is improved compared to the captured image, Equipped with, The aforementioned fuel gas is hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases. Gas cutting system.

2. The acquisition device acquires the captured image by monochrome photography. The gas cutting system according to claim 1.

3. The control device generates the processed image by inverting the colors of the captured image. The gas cutting system according to claim 2.

4. The control device generates the processed image with increased contrast compared to the captured image. The gas cutting system according to claim 3.

5. The system includes a display device that displays the processed image, A gas cutting system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The display device displays the processed image using the Virtual Reality method or the Augmented Reality method. The gas cutting system according to claim 5.

7. A method for assisting flame adjustment work for a gas cutting torch capable of generating a flame using hydrogen gas that does not contain hydrocarbon gases, The acquisition step involves acquiring an image that includes a transparent region generated near the tip of the nozzle that emits the flame, An image processing step of applying predetermined image processing to the captured image to generate a processed image in which the visibility of the transparent area is improved compared to the captured image, Equipped with, Flame adjustment support method.

8. The acquisition step involves acquiring the captured image by monochrome photography. The flame adjustment support method according to claim 7.

9. The image processing step generates the processed image by inverting the colors of the captured image. The flame adjustment support method according to claim 8.

10. The image processing step generates a processed image with increased contrast compared to the captured image. The flame adjustment support method according to claim 9.

11. The process includes a display step for displaying the processed image. A flame adjustment support method according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

12. The display step involves displaying the processed image using the Virtual Reality method or the Augmented Reality method. The flame adjustment support method according to claim 11.

Images