Flame detector monitoring device, flame detector monitoring program, and flame detector monitoring method

Abstract

To enable a user to grasp a sign of a fault of a flame detector.SOLUTION: A flame detector monitoring device 20 includes: an amplitude specification portion 21A specifying an amplitude of a flame voltage output from a flame detector converting the intensity of flame into an electric signal; and a processing execution portion 21B executing a processing for providing a user of sign information representing presence or absence of a sign of a fault of the flame detector on the basis of the amplitude specified by the amplitude specification portion 21A. The processing execution portion 21B includes: an analysis portion 21C for statistically analyzing an aggregate of the amplitudes specified by the amplitude specification portion 21B in each of combustion of several times generating the flame and obtaining statistic data of the aggregate as latest statistic data; and a comparison portion 21D for comparing the latest statistic data with reference statistic data as a reference, and outputting a result of the comparison as the sign information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a flame detector monitoring device for monitoring a flame detector, a flame detector monitoring program, and a flame detector monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a flame detector that detects and outputs the activity of a flame generated by a burner or the like of a combustion device (Flame Detector 9 in Patent Document 1). Such a flame detector may deteriorate over time due to repeated use and eventually break down. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-60570 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If a flame detector breaks down, it becomes impossible to operate a combustion device or the like, so users want to know the signs of a flame detector failure before the failure actually occurs.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to allow a user to recognize signs of a failure in a flame detector. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a flame detector monitoring device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises an amplitude identification unit configured to identify the amplitude of flame activity detected and output by a flame detector, and a processing execution unit configured to execute processing for presenting to a user predictive information indicating the presence or absence of predictive signs of a failure of the flame detector based on the amplitude identified by the amplitude identification unit.

[0007] The processing execution unit may include an analysis unit configured to statistically analyze the set of amplitudes identified by the amplitude identification unit for each of a plurality of combustions that generate a flame and obtain statistical data of the set as first statistical data, and a comparison unit configured to compare the first statistical data with second statistical data that serves as a reference and that is prepared as statistical data of the set of amplitudes of flame activity detected by the flame detector in each of a plurality of combustions that generate a flame, and to output a comparison result as the predictive information.

[0008] The analysis unit may be configured to statistically analyze a set of the amplitudes identified by the amplitude identification unit for each of a number of combustions equal to the number of combustions that were performed before the occurrence of a symptom of failure in the flame detector and before the plurality of combustions, and to obtain statistical data of the set as the second statistical data.

[0009] The first statistical data may include first distribution data indicating a distribution of the number of amplitudes belonging to each amplitude class, and the second statistical data may include second distribution data indicating a distribution of the number of amplitudes belonging to each amplitude class.

[0010] The comparison unit may be configured to compare the first statistical data with the second statistical data by graphing the first distribution data and the second distribution data in association with each other, with a first axis representing amplitude classes and a second axis representing the number of amplitudes, and to output, as the comparison result, each graph of the first distribution data and the second distribution data graphed in association with each other.

[0011] The first statistical data and the second statistical data may include a statistical quantity representing a distribution of the amplitudes, and the comparison unit may be configured to output the predictive information indicating that there is a predictive signal for a failure of the flame detector when the distribution of amplitudes represented by the statistical quantity of the first statistical data tends to be larger in amplitude than the distribution of amplitudes represented by the statistical quantity of the second statistical data.

[0012] The statistics may include at least one of an average value of the amplitudes, a mode in a distribution of the number of amplitudes belonging to each of the amplitude classes, and a median in the distribution.

[0013] The processing execution unit may be configured to output the predictive information indicating that there is a predictive value of a failure of the flame detector when the amplitude is greater than a predetermined reference value.

[0014] The flame detector may be configured to generate a discharge due to electromagnetic waves radiated from the flame, and to detect the activity of the flame by detecting the discharge.

[0015] A flame detector monitoring program according to a second aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as an amplitude identification unit that identifies the amplitude of the flame activity detected and output by a flame detector, and a processing execution unit that executes processing to present to a user predictive information indicating the presence or absence of predictive signs of a failure of the flame detector, based on the amplitude identified by the amplitude identification unit.

[0016] A flame detector monitoring method according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an identification step of identifying the amplitude of the flame activity detected and output by a flame detector, and a presentation step of presenting to a user predictive information indicating the presence or absence of predictive information for the flame detector based on the amplitude identified in the amplitude identification step. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to allow a user to recognize a symptom of a failure in a flame detector. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a combustion system having a flame detector monitoring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a timing chart of the combustion sequence executed in the combustion system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the flame detector monitoring device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a flame detector monitoring device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a graph showing frame voltage with and without false discharge. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the amplitude identification process executed by the amplitude identification unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the reference statistical data generation process executed by the analysis unit of the process execution unit. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of data contents of the reference distribution data. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a graph (frequency line) of the reference distribution data of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a graph (frequency line) of the most recent distribution data and the reference distribution data on the same coordinate plane. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the sign reporting process according to the modified example. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a flame detector monitoring device according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (Embodiment) 1, a flame detector monitoring device 20 according to one embodiment of the present invention is used in a combustion system 10. The flame detector monitoring device 20 monitors the state of a flame detector 45 that detects the flame activity of a burner provided in a combustion device 40 (described later) of the combustion system 10, more specifically, a main burner 42 and a pilot burner 43, and monitors for the presence or absence of a sign of failure of the flame detector 45.

[0021] In addition to the flame detector monitoring device 20, the combustion system 10 also includes a combustion device 30 that performs combustion, and a combustion control device 70 that controls the combustion device 30. Below, the combustion device 30 and the combustion control device 70 will be explained first, and then the flame detector monitoring device 20 will be explained.

[0022] The combustion device 30 includes a combustion appliance 40, a fuel supply system 50, an air supply system 60, a control motor M, a high opening position sensor HS, and a low opening position sensor LS.

[0023] The combustion equipment 40 burns the fuel gas in the combustion chamber R. The combustion equipment 40 includes a combustion furnace 41 that forms the combustion chamber R, a main burner 42 that burns the fuel gas to heat the inside of the combustion chamber R, a pilot burner 43 that burns the fuel gas to ignite the main burner 42, and an ignition device (igniter) 44 that ignites the pilot burner 43. The pilot burner 43 ignited by the ignition device 44 is used to ignite the main burner 42. Therefore, the ignition device 44 can also be said to be a device used when igniting the main burner 42. The ignition device 44 includes a spark generating unit 44A such as a discharge electrode.

[0024] The combustion equipment 40 further includes a flame detector 45 that detects and outputs the flame activity of the main burner 42 and the pilot burner 43, and a temperature sensor 46 that detects the temperature inside the combustion chamber R. The flame activity is a degree that indicates how actively the flame is generated, and in this case, it is the flame intensity.

[0025] The flame detector 45 comprises a discharge tube including two electrodes and a package that houses the two electrodes together with a predetermined gas. When an electromagnetic wave (here, ultraviolet rays) radiated from the flame of the main burner 42 or the pilot burner 43 enters the package while a voltage is applied between the two electrodes, a discharge occurs between the two electrodes. This discharge causes the flame detector 45 to output an electric signal. In this way, the flame detector 45 converts the ultraviolet rays radiated from the flame of the main burner 42 and / or the pilot burner 43, that is, the activity of the flame, into an electric signal and outputs it. This conversion and output means that the activity of the flame is detected and output in the form of an electric signal. Here, the output electric signal (also called a detection signal) is a voltage signal whose voltage value changes according to the activity of the flame, but the electric signal may be a current signal whose current value changes according to the activity of the flame. The voltage signal is also called a flame voltage VF, and the current signal is also called a flame current IF. The voltage value of the flame voltage VF and the current value of the flame current IF indicate the activity of the flame. In the following description, the flame voltage VF and its voltage value can be changed to the flame current IF and its current value. The flame detector 45 in this embodiment may be configured to generate a discharge by an electromagnetic wave emitted from the flame according to the activity of the flame, and to detect the activity of the flame by detecting the discharge.

[0026] Returning to Fig. 1, the fuel supply system 50 supplies fuel gas from the outside to the combustion appliance 40. The fuel supply system 50 includes a fuel flow path 51 through which the fuel gas supplied to the combustion appliance 40 flows. The fuel flow path 51 includes a main flow path 51A through which the fuel gas is supplied from the outside, and a first flow path 51B and a second flow path 51C branched from the main flow path 51A. The first flow path 51B is connected to the main burner 42, and the second flow path 51C is connected to the pilot burner 43.

[0027] The fuel supply system 50 further includes a gas pressure switch 52 provided in the main flow path 51A, main valves 54A and 54B which are safety shutoff valves provided in the first flow path 51B, and pilot valves 54C and 54D which are safety shutoff valves provided in the second flow path 51C. The gas pressure switch 52 is turned ON when the pressure of the fuel gas supplied from the outside is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. The main valves 54A and 54B open and close the first flow path 51B. The pilot valves 54C and 54D open and close the second flow path 51C. The fuel supply system 50 also includes a damper 55 for adjusting the fuel flow rate provided in the main flow path 51A.

[0028] The air supply system 60 supplies air to the combustion appliance 40. The air supply system 60 includes an air flow path 61 through which air to be supplied to the combustion appliance 40 flows, and a blower 62 that supplies air to the air flow path 61. The air flow path 61 includes a main flow path 61A connected to the blower 62, and a first flow path 61B and a second flow path 61C branched from the main flow path 61A. The first flow path 61B is connected to the main burner 42. The second flow path 61C is connected to the pilot burner 43.

[0029] The air supply system 60 further includes an air pressure switch 63 that is provided in the main flow path 61A and turns on when the air pressure from the blower 62 is equal to or higher than a predetermined air pressure. The air supply system 60 further includes a damper 65 for adjusting the air flow rate that is provided in the main flow path 61A.

[0030] The dampers 55 and 65 for adjusting the fuel or air flow rate are driven by a control motor M in a linkage to control the opening of the fuel passage 51 and the air passage 61. Driven by the linkage, the opening of each of the dampers 55 and 65 is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio, which is the ratio of fuel to air supplied to the main burner 42, is maintained at a desired ratio (ideal ratio for combustion). The amount of fuel and air supplied to the main burner 42 is adjusted by the opening of each of the dampers 55 and 65, thereby adjusting the flame activity of each burner, that is, the heating temperature for heating the combustion chamber R is controlled.

[0031] The high opening position sensor HS detects when the dampers 55 and 65 reach a predetermined high opening position. The low opening position sensor LS detects when the dampers 55 and 65 reach a predetermined low opening position. Each of the sensors HS and LS turns ON when the dampers 55 and 65 reach the high opening position or the low opening position.

[0032] The combustion control device 70 is composed of various computers such as a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and a personal computer. The combustion control device 70 is also called a burner controller. The combustion control device 70 monitors the states (ON / OFF) of the gas pressure switch 52, the wind pressure switch 63, the high opening position sensor HS, and the low opening position sensor LS. Various signals are input to the combustion control device 70 from the flame detector 45, the temperature sensor 46, and the like. The combustion control device 70 controls the ignition device 44, the main valves 54A and 54B, the pilot valves 54C and 54D, the blower 62, and the dampers 55 and 65, and the like, based on the monitoring results and various signals.

[0033] The combustion control device 70 controls the operation of the combustion device 30 in accordance with a predetermined combustion sequence. This combustion sequence includes subsequences such as "start check," "pre-purge," "waiting for ignition," "pilot ignition," "pilot only," "main ignition," "main only" (also called "main stable"), and "steady combustion."

[0034] 2 shows a time chart of the combustion sequence from start-up of the combustion device 30 to steady combustion. When a start-up input is received from the outside (point t1 in chart A), the combustion control device 70 controls the blower 62 to start blowing air into the air flow path 61 (point t1 in chart B), and sends a drive command to the control motor M in the opening direction (point t1 in chart D). The drive command in the opening direction opens the dampers 55 and 65.

[0035] When the wind pressure caused by the air supply from the blower 62 reaches a predetermined wind pressure, the wind pressure switch 63 turns ON (point t2 in chart C). The period P1 from point t1 to point t2 is the "start check" time period.

[0036] When the air pressure switch 63 is turned ON and the high opening position sensor HS detects that the opening positions of the dampers 55 and 65 have reached the high opening position and turns ON (point t3 in Chart E), the combustion control device 70 starts timing the pre-purge time from this point on.

[0037] After the pre-purge time has elapsed, the combustion control device 70 sends a drive command to the control motor M in the closing direction (point t4 in chart D). This causes the dampers 55 and 65 to operate in the closing direction. The period P2 from point t3 to point t4 is the "pre-purge" time period.

[0038] When the low opening position sensor LS detects that the dampers 55 and 65 have reached the low opening position and turns ON (point t5 in chart F), the combustion control device 70 opens the pilot valves 54C and 54D after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed (point t6 in chart G) and activates the ignition device 44 (point t6 in chart H). The predetermined waiting time is, for example, the time from when the low opening position is detected until the supply of fuel gas starts and the gas pressure switch 52 turns ON. The period P3 from point t4 to point t6 is the "ignition waiting" time zone.

[0039] When the pilot valves 54C and 54D are opened, fuel gas is supplied from the fuel supply system 50 to the pilot burner 43, and the pilot burner 43 ejects the fuel gas. In this state, when the ignition device 44 is operated, an ignition spark is generated from the spark generating unit 44A of the ignition device 44, and this ignition spark ignites the fuel ejected from the pilot burner 43. This ignites the pilot burner 43. In this embodiment, air required for combustion of the fuel gas is also supplied from the air supply system 60 to the pilot burner 43, and is ejected from the pilot burner 43. The fuel supply system 50 and the air supply system 60 are configured so that the air-fuel ratio of the fuel and air supplied to the pilot burner 43 becomes the desired ratio (a ratio within an ideal range for combustion) when the dampers 55 and 65 are in the low opening position as described above. The pilot burner 43 may be configured to be ignited by the surrounding air.

[0040] The ignition of the pilot burner 43 is detected by the flame detector 45. The flame detector 45 outputs a detection signal indicating the flame activity of the pilot burner 43 to the combustion control device 70. The combustion control device 70 detects the ignition of the pilot burner 43 when it determines that the flame activity indicated by the detection signal has exceeded a predetermined first threshold value. Here, as shown in Chart I, it is assumed that the pilot burner 43 is ignited at point t7 and this ignition is detected.

[0041] When the combustion control device 70 detects ignition of the pilot burner 43, it terminates the operation of the ignition device 44, i.e., the generation of the ignition spark (point t8 in chart H). The period P4 from point t6 to point t8 during which the ignition device 44 is operated is the "pilot ignition" time period. When the combustion control device 70 cannot detect ignition of the pilot burner 43 for a predetermined period of time, it aborts the combustion sequence as a time-out.

[0042] After detecting the ignition of the pilot burner 43 and terminating the operation of the ignition device 44, the combustion control device 70 waits for a predetermined period until point t9. This predetermined period, i.e., period P5 from point t8 to point t9, is the "pilot only" time period during which the pilot burner 43 is burned alone. In "pilot only", the combustion control device 70 monitors the flame activity of the pilot burner 43 based on the detection signal from the flame detector 45. When the flame activity falls below a predetermined intensity during the above-mentioned predetermined period, the combustion control device 70 determines that the pilot burner 43 has misfired and stops the combustion sequence.

[0043] After the above-mentioned predetermined period has elapsed, the combustion control device 70 opens the main valves 54A and 54B (point t9 in chart J). By opening the main valves 54A and 54B, the supply of fuel to the main burner 42 is started. Air is also supplied to the main burner 42 from the air supply system 60. The main burner 42 in a state in which air and fuel are supplied ejects fuel and air, and ignites using the flame of the pilot burner 43 as a pilot flame. The flame detector 45 outputs a detection signal indicating the sum of the flame activity of the main burner 42 and the pilot burner 43 to the combustion control device 70. When the combustion control device 70 determines that the sum of the flame activity indicated by the detection signal exceeds a predetermined second threshold value, it determines that the main burner 42 has ignited. Here, as shown in chart K, it is assumed that the main burner 42 is ignited at point t10, and this ignition is detected.

[0044] When the combustion control device 70 detects the ignition of the main burner 42, it closes the pilot valves 54C and 54D to terminate the combustion of the pilot burner 54 (see point t11 ​​in charts G and I). The period P6 from point t9 to point t11 ​​is the “main ignition” time period during which the main burner 42 is ignited.

[0045] After detecting the ignition of the main burner 42 and closing the pilot valves 54C and 54D, the combustion control device 70 waits for a predetermined period until point t12. This predetermined period, that is, the period P7 from point t11 ​​to point t12, is the "main only" time period during which the main burner 42 is burned alone. In the "main only" mode, the combustion control device 70 monitors the flame activity of the main burner 42 based on the detection signal from the flame detector 45. If the flame activity falls below a predetermined intensity during the predetermined period, the combustion control device 70 determines that the main burner 42 has misfired and stops the combustion sequence.

[0046] After waiting for the above-mentioned predetermined period, the combustion control device 70 starts feedback control of the control motor M so that the temperature in the combustion chamber R indicated by the detection signal supplied from the temperature sensor 46 becomes a target value, using the temperature as a feedback value (point t12 in chart D). The period from point t12 onwards is a "steady combustion" period in which the main burner 42 performs steady combustion. The specific method of feedback control in steady combustion is arbitrary, but for example, proportional control (P control), proportional-integral control (PI control), or proportional-integral-derivative control (PID control) is adopted. When the gas pressure switch 52 or the wind pressure switch 63 is turned OFF during steady combustion, the combustion control device 70 determines that an abnormality has occurred and stops steady combustion.

[0047] The combustion control device 70 stores time series data of the voltage value of the flame voltage VF from the flame detector 45 in the combustion sequence. For example, the combustion control device 70 performs analog-to-digital conversion of the flame voltage VF from the flame detector 45 at a predetermined sampling rate to generate and store time series data of the voltage value of the flame voltage VF. Of the stored time series data, the combustion control device 70 outputs to the flame detector monitoring device 20 time series data for a period of "steady combustion" in which the flame activity of the main burner 42 is stable.

[0048] Next, the flame detector monitoring device 20 will be described. The flame detector monitoring device 20 is configured to include various computers such as a personal computer that performs a process of monitoring the flame detector 45 by monitoring the flame activity (flame voltage VF). As shown in FIG. 3, the flame detector monitoring device 20 includes a processor 21 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory) 22 that functions as the main memory of the processor 21, and a non-volatile storage device 23 that stores programs executed by the processor. The storage device 23 also stores ignition delay time data groups, reference statistical data, most recent statistical data, and flame intensity data groups, which will be described later. The flame detector monitoring device 20 further includes a display 24 that displays various screens, which will be described later, an operation device 25 operated by a user, and a communication module 26 that allows the processor 21 to communicate with the combustion control device 70.

[0049] In this embodiment, the processor 21 executes a program stored in the storage device 23 to operate as an amplitude identification unit 21A and a process execution unit 21B shown in FIG.

[0050] The amplitude determination unit 21A communicates with the combustion control device 70 via the communication module 26, and acquires time series data of the voltage value of the flame voltage VF output from the combustion control device 70 each time a combustion sequence is executed. For each piece of acquired time series data, the amplitude determination unit 21A determines the amplitude S of the flame voltage VF, that is, the amplitude S of the flame activity output by the flame detector 45, or more specifically, the amplitude S of the time change in the activity, and stores the determined amplitude S in the storage device 23.

[0051] Here, the amplitude S of the flame voltage VF will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the voltage value of the flame voltage VF changes with time. The amplitude S of the flame voltage VF (flame activity) is the difference between the maximum voltage value and the minimum voltage value of the time series data of the voltage value of the flame voltage VF (flame activity). Incidentally, in the flame detector 45 that outputs the flame voltage VF, so-called false discharge may occur due to aging deterioration of the flame detector 45. The false discharge is a phenomenon in which discharge occurs between electrodes even though ultraviolet rays are not incident, or a discharge occurs in an amount greater than the amount of ultraviolet rays incident. As shown in FIG. 5, the amplitude S of the flame voltage VF in which a false discharge occurs is larger than the amplitude S of the flame voltage VF in which a false discharge does not occur. Note that the false discharge occurs randomly, but as the aging deterioration of the flame detector 45 progresses, the probability of false discharge occurrence increases. Then, the flame detector 45 eventually enters a runaway state in which discharge always occurs, and breaks down. Note that the amplitude S of the flame voltage VF also increases due to the increase in the probability of false discharge occurrence. As described below, in this embodiment, in order to allow the user to recognize the signs of a malfunction due to this false discharge, statistical data of the initial amplitude S of the combustion device 30, particularly the flame detector 45 (reference statistical data described below), is compared with statistical data of the most recent amplitude S thereafter (most recent statistical data).

[0052] The amplitude specifying unit 21A shown in FIG. 4 executes the amplitude specifying process shown in FIG. 6 every time it acquires time-series data on the voltage value of the flame voltage VF output from the combustion control device 70, for example.

[0053] In the amplitude determination process of FIG. 6, the amplitude determination unit 21A first determines the amplitude S of the frame voltage VF based on the currently acquired time-series data (step S11). The amplitude determination unit 21A calculates the difference between the maximum voltage value and the minimum voltage value in the time-series data as the amplitude S. Then, the amplitude determination unit 21A stores the amplitude S in the Nth storage area (initial value is 0) in the storage area for storing the amplitude S provided in the storage device 23 (step S12). Then, the amplitude determination unit 21A determines whether N is 49 (step S13), and if N is not 49 (No), adds 1 to N (step S14). If N is 49 (step S13; Yes), the amplitude determination unit 21A initializes N to 0 (step S15). When 50 amplitudes S (N=0 to 49) are stored in the storage device 23 by such a series of processes, the amplitudes S obtained thereafter are overwritten starting from N=0. As a result, the latest 50 amplitudes S of the sequentially identified amplitudes S are always stored in the storage device 23. The data group of the 50 amplitudes S is the amplitude data group shown in Figures 3 and 4. The number of amplitudes S stored in the storage device 23 is arbitrary.

[0054] 4, the process execution unit 21B executes a process for presenting to a user predictive information indicating the presence or absence of a predictive failure of the flame detector 45, based on the amplitude S that is identified by the amplitude identification unit 21A and that constitutes the amplitude data group stored in the storage device 23. To execute such a process, the process execution unit 21B includes an analysis unit 21C and a comparison unit 21D.

[0055] The analysis unit 21C statistically analyzes a set of amplitudes S constituting a group of amplitude data stored in the storage device 23 in the initial combustion device 30, and obtains the statistical data of the set obtained by this analysis as reference statistical data. The reference statistical data is a reference for comparison with the most recent statistical data described later. The reference statistical data is statistical data of a set of amplitudes of the flame voltage VF output from the flame detector 45 when there is no abnormality, that is, when there is no sign of failure. The absence of abnormality includes a state in which no false discharge occurs, or a state in which false discharge may occur to an extent permitted by the specifications of the flame detector 45. The analysis unit 21C obtains the reference statistical data by starting the reference statistical data generation process shown in FIG. 7 from the initial start of operation after the manufacture of the combustion device 30, for example. The obtained reference statistical data is stored in the storage device 23.

[0056] 7, the analysis unit 21C first monitors each of the storage areas N=0 to 49 in the storage device 23, and waits until the amplitude S is stored in all of them (step S21). When the amplitude S is stored in each of the storage areas N=0 to 49 (step S21; Yes), the analysis unit 21C reads out the amplitude S from each of these storage areas (step S22).

[0057] After that, the analysis unit 21C statistically analyzes the set of 50 read amplitudes S (step S23), and stores the statistical data of the set of amplitudes S obtained by this analysis as reference statistical data in the storage device 23 (step S24). In the statistical analysis in step S24, the number of amplitudes S belonging to the same class is counted as a frequency, as shown in FIG. 8. The reference statistical data includes distribution data showing the distribution of the number of amplitudes S belonging to each class of amplitudes S as shown in FIG. 8. The distribution data is also referred to as reference distribution data hereinafter. The class may be the value of the amplitude S itself. For example, when the amplitude S is specified in units of 1 mV and is rounded off to the nearest whole number, each of the values ​​1 mV, 2 mV, 3 mV, etc. that the amplitude S can take may be treated as a class of the amplitude S. In this case, to be precise, the range of 0.5 or more and less than 1.5 can be said to be a class, and the above 1, 2, 3, etc. can be said to be class values.

[0058] If the reference distribution data shown in Fig. 8 is graphed with the amplitude classes on the horizontal axis and the number (frequency) of amplitudes S on the vertical axis, a graph (frequency line) like that shown in Fig. 9 is obtained. Note that the black circles in the graph in Fig. 9 are assigned class values. As shown in Fig. 9, the graph of the reference distribution data has a Gaussian distribution with a narrow width in the horizontal axis direction, i.e., a small standard deviation.

[0059] 7 may be started before an operational test is conducted after the manufacture of the combustion device 30, or may be started after the combustion device 30 goes into full operation after the operational test is completed. The above-mentioned manufacture includes the combustion device 30 being renewed by repairing, servicing, modifying, or replacing the flame detector 45. The reference statistical data generation process may be started at any timing when the user wishes to register the reference statistical data. In this case, the user issues an instruction to that effect via the operation device 25.

[0060] Returning to FIG. 4, the analysis unit 21C acquires a set of amplitudes S constituting the amplitude data group stored in the storage device 23 at any timing after the reference statistical data is acquired. This set is a set of amplitudes S of the flame voltages VF of the most recently executed 50 combustion sequences (the most recent 50 sequences). The analysis unit 21C statistically analyzes the acquired set of amplitudes S, acquires the statistical data of the set obtained by this analysis as the most recent statistical data, and stores it in the storage device 23. The most recent statistical data is used to display predictive information indicating the presence or absence of a failure predictive of the flame detector 45. Therefore, when the user wants to know the presence or absence of a failure predictive of the flame detector 45, the user inputs an instruction to that effect into the operation device 25. In response to this input, the analysis unit 21C performs the statistical analysis and acquires the most recent statistical data.

[0061] The analysis unit 21C performs processing similar to steps S22 to S24 of the reference statistical data generation processing shown in Fig. 7, for example, to obtain the most recent statistical data by analyzing the same method as the reference statistical data, and stores the most recent statistical data in the storage device 23. Like the reference statistical data, the most recent statistical data includes distribution data (see also Fig. 8) indicating the distribution of the number of amplitudes S belonging to each class of amplitude S. The distribution data will be referred to as most recent distribution data below.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 4, the comparison unit 21D reads out the most recent statistical data and the reference statistical data from the storage device 23, compares them, and performs a process of outputting a comparison result when the most recent statistical data is recorded in the storage device 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the comparison unit 21D compares the most recent statistical data with the reference statistical data by graphing the most recent distribution data of the most recent statistical data and the reference distribution data of the reference statistical data in association with each other, with the horizontal axis being the amplitude class (class value) and the vertical axis being the frequency. Here, the most recent distribution data and the reference distribution data are graphed in a superimposed manner on a common coordinate plane, so that the two are graphed in association with each other. The comparison unit 21D outputs the graph of the most recent distribution data and the reference distribution data (here, the frequency broken line in FIG. 10) to the display 24 as a comparison result between the most recent statistical data and the reference statistical data, and displays the graph on the display 24.

[0063] FIG. 10 shows the frequency line of the most recent distribution data when false discharge occurs in the flame detector 45. The frequency line of the reference distribution data is the same as that of FIG. 9. As described above, when the frequency of occurrence of false discharge increases, the amplitude S tends to increase. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10, the frequency line of the most recent distribution data shifts in a direction with a larger amplitude than the frequency line of the reference distribution data. Therefore, the user can check the occurrence of false discharge, etc., by comparing the positions of the frequency line of the most recent distribution data and the frequency line of the reference distribution data, and can grasp the presence or absence of a sign of failure of the flame detector 45. The most recent statistical data and the reference statistical data of FIG. 10 presented to the user can be said to be sign information indicating the presence or absence of a sign of failure of the flame detector 45.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, in order to present to the user predictive information (here, the graph in FIG. 10) indicating the presence or absence of a predictive failure of flame detector 45 based on the amplitude S identified by amplitude identification unit 21A, a process is performed to output the predictive information to display 24. This allows the user to grasp the predictive failure of flame detector 45 (particularly the presence or absence of a predictive failure) by looking at the predictive information.

[0065] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the predictive information is generated and presented using statistical analysis of a set of the amplitudes S. As described above, false discharges occur randomly. Here, by using statistical analysis, the predictive information can represent the tendency of changes in the amplitudes S, and the frequency of the randomly occurring false discharges can be reflected in the predictive information. This allows the user to more appropriately grasp the predictive information of a failure of the flame detector 45.

[0066] The comparison unit 21D may compare the most recent statistical data (first statistical data) with reference statistical data (second statistical data) prepared as a set of statistical data of the amplitude S of the flame activity detected by the flame detector 45 in each of the multiple combustions that generate a flame. For this reason, the reference statistical data may be statistical data that is obtained in advance from the results of an experiment using an apparatus of the same type as the combustion apparatus 30 or the flame detector 45. In this embodiment, the reference statistical data is generated based on the amplitude S of the flame voltage VF actually output by the flame detector 45. This makes it possible to obtain reference statistical data that reflects the individual characteristics of the combustion apparatuses 30 produced in multiple numbers, particularly the characteristics of the flame detector 45, so that the user can more appropriately grasp the signs of failure of the flame detector 45.

[0067] By graphing the most recent distribution data and the reference distribution data on the same coordinate plane as in this embodiment, the user can compare the graphs and grasp signs of a failure in the flame detector 45.

[0068] (Modification) The configuration of the above embodiment can be modified as desired. Modifications are shown below as examples. Each modification can be combined with at least a portion of the others.

[0069] (Variation 1) The configuration of the combustion device 30 is arbitrary. For example, the combustion device 30 may be a type having only the main burner 42 without the pilot burner 43. Also, the combustion device 30 may be in a state in which the pilot burner 43 is constantly ignited. In this case, it is preferable to prepare a flame detector for the main burner 42 and a flame detector for the pilot burner 43. The ignition delay time Td may be, for example, a period from an ignition instruction that outputs a signal instructing the ignition or ignition of the pilot burner 43 or the main burner 42 to an ignition detection that detects the ignition of the main burner 42. The flame detector 45 may be capable of detecting the activity of the flame of the burner, and the burner may be at least one of the pilot burner 43 and the main burner 42.

[0070] (Variation 2) The comparison unit 21D may graph the most recent distribution data of the most recent statistical data and the reference distribution data of the reference statistical data in association with each other, with the vertical axis representing the amplitude class and the horizontal axis representing the number of amplitudes. The method of graphing in association is not limited to the method of superimposing each graph on a coordinate plane with a common vertical axis and horizontal axis, as described above. For example, each graph may be represented on a different coordinate plane with a common scale of the coordinate axis. In this manner, the method of graphing in association may be, for example, a method of graphing in a manner that allows a user to compare each distribution data. By graphing in association with both data, the user can easily grasp the sign of a failure of the flame detector 45. Among the set of amplitudes S to be subjected to the statistical analysis, the amplitudes S with suddenly abnormal values ​​may be excluded from the analysis target. The comparison unit 21D may output an image in which the values ​​of the most recent distribution data and the reference distribution data are written side by side as the sign information. Even with such values, the user can grasp the sign of a failure of the flame detector 45.

[0071] (Variation 3) In the above statistical analysis, instead of or in addition to the above analysis, the analysis unit 21C may calculate a statistic representing the distribution (including the distribution by class) of the amplitude S included in the set to be analyzed. In this case, the most recent statistical data and the reference statistical data include a statistic representing the distribution of the amplitude S.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 11, the comparison unit 21D compares the statistical quantity of the most recent statistical data with the statistical quantity of the reference statistical data (step S31), and if the first distribution of amplitudes S represented by the statistical quantity of the most recent statistical data tends to have a larger amplitude S than the second distribution of amplitudes S represented by the statistical quantity of the reference statistical data (step S32; Yes), in other words, if the first distribution is located on the side with larger amplitudes S, it outputs predictive information to the display 24 indicating that there is a sign of a failure of the flame detector 45 (step S33).

[0073] For example, when the statistical quantity includes the average value of the amplitude S, the comparison unit 21D outputs predictive information indicating that there is a failure predictive sign when the average value included in the most recent statistical data is higher than the average value included in the reference statistical data, judging that the first distribution tends to be larger than the second distribution. Note that the average value may be changed to the mode or median in the distribution of the number of amplitudes S belonging to each class of the amplitude S. Also, it may be determined from these three values ​​whether the first distribution tends to be larger than the second distribution.

[0074] The predictive information may be information that directly notifies the user that there is a predictive failure, such as "There are predictive failures of the flame detector 45."

[0075] The comparison unit 21D may output predictive information with contents that differ in stages according to the degree of difference between the first distribution and the second distribution, that is, the difference in the average values. Specifically, when the degree of difference is a first degree, the comparison unit 21D outputs a first message such as "There are signs that the flame detector 45 will fail" as predictive information. When the degree of difference is a second degree that is greater than the first degree, the comparison unit 21D may output a message such as "The flame detector 45 may fail" that notifies the user that the flame detector 45 is more likely to fail than the first message as predictive information.

[0076] According to this modification, the user can easily grasp the signs of a failure in the flame detector 45.

[0077] (Variation 4) The process execution unit 21B may execute a process for presenting to the user, based on the amplitude S identified by the amplitude identification unit 21A, predictive information indicating the presence or absence of a failure predictive value of the flame detector 45, and this process is not limited to the above process. As the process, the process execution unit 21B may be configured to output predictive information indicating that there is a failure predictive value of the flame detector 45 when the amplitude S is larger than a predetermined reference value. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the process execution unit 21B acquires the most recent amplitude S from the amplitude data group, and compares the acquired amplitude S with a reference amplitude (obtained by an experiment or the like) stored in the storage device 23. When the amplitude S is larger, the process execution unit 21B may output a message such as "There is a failure predictive value" to the display 24. The above process also allows the user to easily grasp the failure predictive value of the flame detector 45.

[0078] (Variation 5) The hardware configuration of the flame detector monitoring device 20 is arbitrary. The amplitude identification unit 21A and the processing execution unit 21B (the analysis unit 21C and the comparison unit 21D) may each be composed of one or more computers or control circuits (such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array)). At least a part of each of the units 21A to 21B may be provided in the combustion control device 70. The flame detector monitoring device 20 may be a server computer, a cloud computer, or the like. The output destination of the predictive information may be a display of a user terminal or the like. The output destination of the predictive information may be a printer, a storage medium, a network, another computer, or the like. The process for presenting the predictive information to the user described above includes a process for outputting the predictive information to a user terminal, a printer, a storage medium, a network, another computer, or the like in order to finally present the predictive information to the user. Each device such as the flame detector monitoring device 20 includes a device in which the components of the device are integrated into one housing, as well as a system in which the components of the device are distributed and accommodated in multiple housings.

[0079] (Variation 6) The flame activity may be indicated by the number of discharges per unit time that occur between the electrodes of the discharge tube of the flame detector 45. In such a case, it is advisable to provide the combustion device 70 with a counter for counting the number of discharges and a measuring unit for measuring the counting period. When the flame activity is high, for example when the ultraviolet light intensity is high, the number of discharges per unit time increases. In other words, an increase in the number of discharges corresponds to an increase in the voltage value of the flame voltage described above. When false discharges occur, the number of discharges increases accordingly, and therefore when the frequency of false discharges increases, the amplitude of the change in the number of discharges per unit time, i.e., the amplitude of the flame activity, also increases.

[0080] (Variation 6) The present invention is also applicable to flame detectors other than those used in combustion systems or combustion devices. The flame detector of the present invention may be any sensor that detects flame activity. The amplitude of the flame activity output from such a flame detector is disturbed by aging of the flame detector, and the disturbance in the amplitude is thought to eventually lead to failure of the flame detector.

[0081] (Flame detector monitoring method) In the above embodiments, the flame detector monitoring device 20 executes the above various processes to perform a flame detector monitoring method that identifies the amplitude S, presents predictive information to a user based on the amplitude S, statistically analyzes a set of amplitudes S, compares most recent statistical data with reference statistical data, and the like. However, at least a part of the method may be performed by an object or person other than the flame detector monitoring device 20. Presenting the predictive information to the user based on the amplitude S includes transmitting the predictive information to the user's terminal via a network, and the like.

[0082] (Scope of the present invention) Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments and modifications, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and modifications. For example, the present invention includes various modifications to the above embodiments and modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The configurations listed in the above embodiments and modifications can be appropriately combined within a range without contradiction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 10...combustion system, 20...flame detector monitoring device, 21...processor, 21A...amplitude identification unit, 21B...processing execution unit, 21C...analysis unit, 21D...comparison unit, 23...memory device, 25...operation device, 40...combustion equipment, 42...main burner, 43...pilot burner, 44...ignition device, 44A...spark generating unit, 45...flame detector, 50...fuel supply system, 60...air supply system, 70...combustion control device.

Claims

1. an amplitude identification unit configured to identify the amplitude of the flame activity detected and output by the flame detector; a processing execution unit configured to execute a process for presenting to a user symptom information indicating the presence or absence of a symptom of a failure of the flame detector based on the amplitude identified by the amplitude identification unit, The processing execution unit is an analysis unit configured to statistically analyze a set of amplitudes identified by the amplitude identification unit for each of a plurality of combustions that generate a flame, and obtain statistical data of the set as first statistical data; a comparison unit configured to compare the first statistical data with second statistical data serving as a reference, the second statistical data being prepared as statistical data of a set of amplitudes of flame activity detected by the flame detector in each of a plurality of combustions that generate a flame, and to output a comparison result as the predictive information; Flame detector monitoring device.

2. The analysis unit is configured to statistically analyze a set of amplitudes identified by the amplitude identification unit for each of the same number of combustions as the plurality of combustions that were performed before the occurrence of the symptom of failure in the flame detector and before the plurality of combustions, and obtain statistical data of the set as the second statistical data.

2. The flame detector monitoring system of claim 1.

3. the first statistical data includes first distribution data indicating a distribution of the number of amplitudes belonging to each amplitude class; The second statistical data includes second distribution data indicating a distribution of the number of amplitudes belonging to each amplitude class.

3. A flame detector monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The comparison unit is a first axis representing the amplitude class and a second axis representing the number of amplitudes, the first distribution data and the second distribution data being correlated with each other and graphed, thereby comparing the first statistical data and the second statistical data; and outputting, as the comparison result, each graph of the first distribution data and the second distribution data graphed in association with each other.

4. A flame detector monitoring system as claimed in claim 3.

5. the first statistical data and the second statistical data include a statistical quantity representing a distribution of the amplitudes, the comparison unit is configured to output the predictive information indicating that there is a predictive value of a failure of the flame detector when a distribution of the amplitudes represented by a statistical quantity of the first statistical data tends to have a larger amplitude than a distribution of the amplitudes represented by a statistical quantity of the second statistical data. A flame detector monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the statistics include at least one of an average value of the amplitudes, a mode in a distribution of the number of amplitudes belonging to each of the amplitude classes, and a median in the distribution; 6. A flame detector monitoring system as claimed in claim 5.

7. The processing execution unit is configured to output the prediction information indicating that there is a prediction of a failure of the flame detector when the amplitude is larger than a predetermined reference. A flame detector monitoring system according to any preceding claim.

8. The flame detector is configured to generate a discharge by an electromagnetic wave emitted from the flame and detect the activity of the flame by detecting the discharge. A flame detector monitoring system according to any preceding claim.

9. A flame detector monitoring program that causes a computer to function as the flame detector monitoring device according to claim 1.

10. determining an amplitude of the flame activity detected and output by the flame detector; and a presentation step of presenting to a user symptom information indicating the presence or absence of a symptom of a failure of the flame detector based on the amplitude identified in the identification step, The presenting step includes: a first step of statistically analyzing a set of the amplitudes identified in the identification step for each of a plurality of combustions that generate a flame, and obtaining statistical data of the set as first statistical data; a second step of comparing the first statistical data with second statistical data serving as a reference, the second statistical data being prepared as statistical data of a set of amplitudes of flame activity detected by the flame detector in each of a plurality of combustions that generate a flame, and presenting a comparison result to the user as the predictive information. Flame detector monitoring methods.

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