Fluid property sensor system

Abstract

To provide a fluid property sensor system that is easy to install on equipment. [Solution] A fluid property sensor system 100 for detecting the properties of a target fluid comprises a circulation channel 20 having both ends 20a and 20b provided in a tank 40 in which the target fluid is stored, a sensor body 1 provided in the circulation channel 20 through which the target fluid is guided, and a pump 10 provided in the circulation channel 20 for supplying the target fluid in the tank 40 to the sensor body 1, wherein the circulation channel 20 is configured to be removable from the tank 40.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid property sensor system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sensor having an outer electrode disposed inside a case and formed in a cylindrical shape, and an inner electrode disposed radially inside the outer electrode and extending in the axial direction of the case. A cover is provided at the tip of the sensor, and a communication hole is formed to cover the outer electrode. The sensor detects the properties of a liquid by immersing the tip in a fluid such as oil and guiding the fluid between the outer electrode and the inner electrode through the communication hole of the cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When attaching a fluid property sensor as described in Patent Document 1 to existing equipment, for example, it is necessary to modify the equipment by forming an attachment opening in a pipe or providing an attachment jig between pipes. Therefore, it takes a great deal of effort to attach the fluid property sensor.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a fluid property sensor system that is easy to attach to equipment.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The present invention relates to a fluid property sensor system for detecting the properties of a fluid to be detected, comprising: a circulation channel with both ends positioned within a tank in which the fluid to be detected is stored; a sensor body provided in the circulation channel through which the fluid to be detected is guided; and a pump provided in the circulation channel for supplying the fluid to be detected from the tank to the sensor body, wherein the circulation channel is configured to be removable from the tank.

[0007] In this invention, a circulation channel, a sensor body, a pump, and a control unit are provided as a fluid property sensor system, and both ends of the circulation channel are configured to be detachable from the tank. Since the fluid property sensor system is attached to the tank rather than to the equipment's piping, it is easy to install on the equipment.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention further comprises a control unit that controls a sensor body and a pump, wherein the control unit controls the sensor body to detect the properties of the target fluid at a predetermined timing, and starts the pump before detection by the sensor body begins and stops the pump after detection.

[0009] In this invention, the control unit starts the pump to circulate the target fluid before the detection of the properties of the target fluid begins, and stops the pump after detection. This improves the detection accuracy of the fluid properties sensor system and reduces the power consumption of the pump.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the pump has a configuration in which no sliding parts are formed in the pump chamber where the fluid to be detected is pressurized, in which metals slide against metal.

[0011] Furthermore, the present invention is characterized in that the pump is a tube pump or a diaphragm pump.

[0012] These inventions prevent contamination from occurring in the pump due to metal-to-metal friction, which can adversely affect the equipment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, the fluid property sensor system can be easily attached to the equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a fluid property sensor system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the sensor body installed in the circulation passage. [Figure 3] This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a pump. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] A fluid property sensor system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] The fluid properties sensor system 100 is attached to the tank 40 of the equipment. The tank 40 stores the fluid to be detected, and the fluid properties sensor system 100 detects the properties of the fluid to be detected in the tank 40. In this embodiment, the case in which the fluid to be detected stored in the tank 40 is hydraulic oil will be described. The hydraulic oil in the tank 40 is used to drive hydraulic equipment such as hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic pumps, and hydraulic motors of the equipment. In other words, the fluid properties sensor system 100 detects the properties of the hydraulic oil flowing through the above-mentioned hydraulic equipment. Note that the fluid to be detected is not limited to hydraulic oil, but may be various liquids or gases such as hydraulic gas, lubricating oil, cutting oil, fuel, exhaust gas, solvent, and chemicals.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, the fluid property sensor system 100 comprises a circulation channel 20 with both ends 20a and 20b located within a tank 40, a sensor body 1 provided in the circulation channel 20 through which hydraulic fluid is introduced, a pump 10 provided in the circulation channel 20 to supply hydraulic fluid from the tank 40 to the sensor body 1, and a controller 30 as a control unit for controlling the sensor body 1 and the pump 10. The controller 30 is provided on either the sensor body 1 or the pump 10.

[0018] The circulation channel 20 is composed of pipes or hoses that guide the hydraulic fluid and is configured to be removable from the tank 40. The circulation channel 20 is positioned in the hydraulic fluid inside the tank 40 at both ends 20a and 20b through an opening 40a on the top surface of the tank 40. In this embodiment, both ends 20a and 20b of the circulation channel 20 are positioned at a predetermined distance from the bottom of the tank 40 in the hydraulic fluid. This prevents stagnant hydraulic fluid at the bottom of the tank 40 from being guided into the circulation channel 20, improving the detection accuracy of the fluid property sensor system 100. However, if the detection accuracy of the fluid property sensor system 100 can be ensured, both ends 20a and 20b of the circulation channel 20 may be positioned near the bottom of the tank 40. Alternatively, both ends 20a and 20b of the circulation channel 20 may be provided in the tank 40 through an opening on the outer surface of the tank 40.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the sensor body 1 is inserted into an opening 20c formed in the circulation channel 20 and directly attached to the circulation channel 20. Alternatively, the sensor body 1 may be inserted into an opening in a mounting jig (not shown) provided between the pipes or hoses of the circulation channel 20 and attached to the circulation channel 20. The sensor body 1 includes a case 2, an outer electrode 3 and an inner electrode 4 protruding from the tip of the case 2, an insulator 5 housed in the case 2 to insulate the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4, and a detection unit (not shown) housed in the case 2 on which a substrate (not shown) or the like is provided. When the sensor body 1 is attached to the circulation channel 20, the tips of the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 are located in the circulation channel 20, and at least a portion of the through hole 3a of the outer electrode 3 (described later) communicates with the circulation channel 20. As a result, hydraulic fluid is introduced between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4, and the detection unit calculates the relative permittivity and conductivity of the hydraulic fluid as properties from the current value between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4, and the calculation result is output to the controller 30. The controller 30 is connected to an external computer or server, and the detection result from the sensor body 1 is output externally from the controller 30.

[0020] Case 2 is formed of, for example, metal, and the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 project from the tip portion 2a. The outer electrode 3 is attached to the tip portion 2a of the case 2 by welding, whereby the outer electrode 3 and the case 2 are electrically connected. The inner electrode 4 is held and housed in the case 2 by the insulator 5. Thereby, the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 are insulated. The outer electrode 3 is connected to the substrate of the detection unit through the case 2 and a conducting wire (not shown), etc., and the inner electrode 4 is connected through a conducting wire (not shown), etc. Thereby, signals are input to the substrate from the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4. The detection unit detects the current value flowing between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 in the circuit mounted on the substrate, and calculates the conductivity and relative permittivity of the hydraulic oil from the current value.

[0021] The outer electrode 3 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the inner diameter is formed to be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the tip portion 2a of the case 2. A part of the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 3 faces the inner electrode 4. The outer electrode 3 has a through-hole 3a for detection through which the hydraulic oil flows. In the present embodiment, four through-holes 3a are formed at intervals of 90 degrees in the circumferential direction. The through-hole 3a is formed facing the outer peripheral surface of the inner electrode 4, and the hydraulic oil is guided between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 through the through-hole 3a.

[0022] The inner electrode 4 is rod-shaped and provided coaxially with the outer electrode 3, and the outer diameter is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of the outer electrode 3. A gap is provided between the outer peripheral surface of the inner electrode 4 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer electrode 3. The inner electrode 4 projects from the tip portion 2a of the case 2, but does not project from the outer electrode 3.

[0023] In the state where the sensor body 1 is attached to the circulation passage 20, two through holes 3a spaced 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the outer electrode 3 are positioned along the flow of the hydraulic oil passing through the circulation passage 20. As a result, the hydraulic oil is easily guided between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 through the upstream through hole 3a, and the hydraulic oil is easily discharged from between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 through the downstream through hole 3a. Therefore, the hydraulic oil easily flows between the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4 without staying, and the detection accuracy of the fluid property sensor system 100 can be improved. When the detection accuracy of the fluid property sensor system 100 can be ensured, it is not essential that two through holes 3a spaced 180 degrees apart in the circumferential direction of the outer electrode 3 are positioned along the flow of the hydraulic oil passing through the circulation passage 20.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the pump 10 is a tube pump. As shown in FIG. 3, the pump 10 includes a housing 11, a metal main body portion 12, and a pump portion 15 provided inside the main body portion 12.

[0025] [[ID=X]] The main body portion 12 is formed in an annular shape. Two insertion holes 12a are formed in the main body portion 12, and the tubes 21 forming the circulation passage 20 are guided inside the main body portion 12 through the two insertion holes 12a. The tubes 21 contact the inner peripheral surface 12b of the main body portion 12.

[0026] The pump section 15 includes a rotating section 17 that is connected to and rotated on a rotating shaft 16 of a drive source such as a motor (not shown), and a roller 18 that is rotatably connected to the tip of the rotating section 17. The rotating section 17 is formed by branching into four parts at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 16, and the center of the rotating section 17 is connected to the rotating shaft 16. The roller 18 is made of metal and is provided at each of the four branched tips of the rotating section 17, for a total of four rollers. The roller 18 is provided in contact with the inner circumferential surface 21a of the tube 21 which is curved along the inner circumferential surface 12b of the main body section 12, and is also provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the main body section 12 relative to the rotating section 17. Furthermore, the roller 18 is provided at a distance from the inner circumferential surface 12b of the main body section 12, and the distance between the roller 18 and the inner circumferential surface 12b of the main body section 12 is provided to be smaller than the outer diameter of the tube 21. Therefore, when the motor or the like is driven to rotate the rotating shaft 16 and rotate the rotating part 17, the four rollers 18 move along the inner circumferential surface 21a of the curved tube 21, crushing the tube 21 from the rotating shaft 16 side. As the tube 21, which has been crushed by the rollers 18, returns to its original shape, negative pressure is generated, so the hydraulic fluid in the tank 40 is guided into the main body 12 from the upstream side and is also guided downstream by the rollers 18 and discharged.

[0027] Thus, the tube pump 10 is configured such that no sliding parts are formed in the pump chamber 19 where the hydraulic fluid is pressurized, where metal parts slide against metal. In this embodiment, the inner circumferential surface 12b of the main body 12 and the roller 18 do not slide against each other. Therefore, contamination such as metal fragments caused by metal-to-metal sliding is prevented from being generated from the pump 10 and adversely affecting the equipment.

[0028] The controller 30 consists of a microcomputer equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read-Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and an I / O interface (Input / Output Interface). The RAM stores data from the CPU's processing, the ROM stores control programs for the CPU, and the I / O interface is used for inputting and outputting information with connected devices. The operation of the sensor body 1 and the pump 10 is controlled by operating the CPU, RAM, etc., according to the program stored in the ROM.

[0029] The controller 30 controls the sensor body 1 to detect the properties of the hydraulic fluid at predetermined timings. Specifically, the controller 30 stores in advance the time and time interval for detecting the properties of the hydraulic fluid. When the detection time for detecting the properties of the hydraulic fluid arrives, the controller 30 energizes the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4, respectively, and detects the current value between them. At this time, the current value may be a single current value detected only once, or, in order to stabilize the detected value, the average value of multiple current values ​​detected within a predetermined time (specifically, for example, the average of five measurements taken once every 30 seconds, or the average of continuously measured values) may be used. Then, the controller 30 calculates the relative permittivity and conductivity, which are properties of the hydraulic fluid, from the current value, for example, from a map that has been stored in advance. When the detection of the current value is finished, the controller 30 cuts off the energization of the outer electrode 3 and the inner electrode 4.

[0030] Furthermore, the controller 30 starts the pump 10 before the sensor body 1 starts detection and stops the pump 10 after detection. Specifically, the controller 30 starts the power source for the pump 10 and drives the pump 10 a predetermined time before the sensor body 1 starts detection (for example, one minute before), so that the circulating passage 20 is filled with hydraulic fluid and reaches a stable state without any stagnation of hydraulic fluid by the time the sensor body 1 starts detection. This ensures that the detection by the sensor body 1 is not affected. In other words, the "predetermined time" in "a predetermined time before the sensor body 1 starts detection" is set to be longer than the time required from the time the pump 10 is driven until the circulating passage 20 is filled with hydraulic fluid and reaches a steady state, and can be adjusted by values ​​such as the discharge capacity of the pump 10 and the volume of the circulating passage 20 to the sensor body 1. Then, when the detection by the sensor body 1 is finished, the controller 30 stops the power source for the pump 10 and stops the pump 10.

[0031] As described above, in this embodiment, the circulation channel 20, sensor body 1, pump 10, and controller 30 are provided as a fluid property sensor system 100, and both ends 20a and 20b of the circulation channel 20 are configured to be removable from the tank 40. Since the fluid property sensor system 100 is attached to the tank 40 rather than to the piping of the equipment, it is easy to install on the equipment. In particular, when installing the fluid property sensor system 100 on existing equipment, modifications to the existing equipment are minimized, making it easy to install the fluid property sensor system 100 on existing equipment.

[0032] Furthermore, the fluid property sensor system 100 can also be made removable as a whole system. Specifically, for example, the entire system can be made removable by modifying or replacing the lid of the tank 40, which is used for oiling, so that the hose of the circulation channel 20 can be inserted into the lid.

[0033] Furthermore, in the fluid properties sensor system 100, the controller 30 starts the pump 10 to circulate the hydraulic fluid before the detection of the hydraulic fluid properties begins, and stops the pump 10 after detection. This improves the detection accuracy of the fluid properties sensor system 100 and reduces the power consumption of the pump 10.

[0034] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0035] The fluid property sensor system 100 consists of a circulation channel 20, a sensor body 1, a pump 10, and a controller 30. Since both ends 20a and 20b of the circulation channel 20 are detachable from the tank 40, the fluid property sensor system 100 is easy to install on the equipment. Furthermore, the controller 30 can start the pump 10 to circulate the hydraulic fluid before the detection of the hydraulic fluid properties begins, and stop the pump 10 after detection, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the fluid property sensor system 100 and reducing the power consumption of the pump 10.

[0036] Next, modifications of this embodiment will be described. The following modifications are also within the scope of the present invention, and it is possible to combine the configurations shown in the modifications with the configurations described in the above embodiments, or to combine the configurations described in the following different modifications.

[0037] <Example 1> In the above embodiment, the pump 10 is a tube pump. However, the pump 10 is not limited to a tube pump as long as there are no sliding parts where metals slide against each other in the pump chamber 19 that pressurizes the hydraulic fluid. For example, the pump 10 may be a diaphragm pump.

[0038] <Modification 2> In the above embodiment, the pump 10 is configured such that no sliding parts where metals slide against each other are formed in the pump chamber 19 that pressurizes the hydraulic fluid. This prevents contamination such as metal fragments from being generated from the pump 10 due to metal-to-metal sliding and adversely affecting the equipment. However, in cases where contamination such as metal fragments from metal-to-metal sliding can be removed, for example, the pump 10 may be configured to have sliding parts where metals slide against each other, such as a vane pump or a gear pump.

[0039] <Variation 3> In the above embodiment, the fluid property sensor system 100 is connected to the tank 40 through an existing port 40a in the tank 40 via the circulation channel 20. However, it is not limited to this configuration; a new port may be formed in the tank 40, and the circulation channel 20 may be connected to the tank 40 through this port. Even with this configuration, modifications to the equipment are minimized, and the fluid property sensor system 100 can be easily installed in existing equipment.

[0040] <Modification 4> In the above embodiment, the sensor body 1 has an outer electrode 3 and an inner electrode 4, and detects the relative permittivity and conductivity, which are electrical properties, as characteristics of the hydraulic fluid. However, the sensor body 1 is not limited to detecting the relative permittivity and conductivity, which are electrical properties, and may be, for example, an RGB sensor having a light-receiving element that detects the color of the hydraulic fluid.

[0041] <Modification 5> In the fluid properties sensor system 100 of the above embodiment, the circulation channel 20, the sensor body 1, the pump 10, and the controller 30 are not integrated into a single unit but are provided separately. However, the fluid properties sensor system 100 may also be provided with the sensor body 1, the pump 10, and the controller 30 integrated into a single unit.

[0042] The configuration, operation, and effects of the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be summarized below.

[0043] A fluid properties sensor system 100 for detecting the properties of a target fluid comprises a circulation channel 20 with both ends 20a and 20b positioned within a tank 40 in which the target fluid is stored, a sensor body 1 provided in the circulation channel 20 through which the target fluid is guided, and a pump 10 provided in the circulation channel 20 for supplying the target fluid from the tank 40 to the sensor body 1, wherein the circulation channel 20 is configured to be removable from the tank 40.

[0044] In this configuration, the circulation channel 20, sensor body 1, pump 10, and controller 30 are provided as a fluid property sensor system 100, and both ends 20a and 20b of the circulation channel 20 are configured to be detachable from the tank 40. Since the fluid property sensor system 100 is attached to the tank 40 rather than to the equipment's piping, it is easy to install on the equipment.

[0045] Furthermore, the fluid properties sensor system 100 further includes a controller 30 as a control unit that controls the sensor body 1 and the pump 10. The controller 30 controls the sensor body 1 to detect the properties of the target fluid at a predetermined timing, and also starts the pump 10 before detection by the sensor body 1 begins and stops the pump 10 after detection.

[0046] In this configuration, the controller 30 starts the pump 10 to circulate the fluid before the detection of the properties of the target fluid begins, and stops the pump 10 after detection. This improves the detection accuracy of the fluid properties sensor system 100 and reduces the power consumption of the pump 10.

[0047] Furthermore, in the fluid properties sensor system 100, the pump 10 is configured such that no sliding parts are formed in the pump chamber 19 that pressurizes the fluid to be detected, where metals slide against metal.

[0048] Furthermore, in the fluid properties sensor system 100, the pump 10 is either a tube pump or a diaphragm pump.

[0049] These configurations prevent contamination from occurring in the pump 10 due to metal-to-metal friction, which could negatively affect the equipment.

[0050] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments only represent a part of the application examples of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention to the specific configurations of the above embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1...Sensor body, 10...Pump, 19...Pump chamber, 20...Circulation channel, 20a, 20b...Ends (both ends), 30...Controller (control unit), 40...Tank, 100...Fluid property sensor system

Claims

1. A fluid properties sensor system for detecting the properties of a target fluid, A circulation channel whose ends are positioned inside a tank where the fluid to be detected is stored, A sensor body provided in the aforementioned circulation channel through which the fluid to be detected is guided, The system includes a pump provided in the circulation channel for supplying the fluid to be detected in the tank to the sensor body, The fluid property sensor system is characterized in that the circulation channel is configured to be removable from the tank.

2. A fluid property sensor system according to claim 1, The sensor body and the control unit for controlling the pump are further comprising The fluid properties sensor system is characterized in that the control unit controls the sensor body to detect the properties of the target fluid at a predetermined timing, and starts the pump before the sensor body starts detection and stops the pump after detection.

3. A fluid property sensor system according to claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned pump is a fluid property sensor system characterized in that, in the pump chamber that pressurizes the fluid to be detected, no sliding parts are formed where metals slide against each other.

4. A fluid property sensor system according to claim 3, The fluid property sensor system is characterized in that the pump is a tube pump or a diaphragm pump.

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