Piping and safety devices

Abstract

To provide a piping system equipped with a safety device capable of functioning even if the power supply is cut off.SOLUTION: A piping system includes: pipes through which a fluid flows; a piping apparatus that is provided midway along the piping and has an openable / closable portion; a fixed body having an operating unit that performs mechanical fixing between the openable / closable portion and the piping apparatus and performs fixing and releasing the fixing; and a safety device that selects between a locked state that prevents operation of the operating unit and an unlocked state that allows operation. A safety device includes: a switch that remains in a locked state when no power is supplied and becomes in an unlocked state when power is supplied; and a shield body that is mechanically connected to the switch in the locked state and covers the operation unit, and is mechanically disconnected from the switch in the unlocked state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a piping system in which hot water or the like flows, having a function of protecting a portion requiring maintenance (inspection) from being operated. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a piping system installed in a beverage production facility, in addition to the beverage, dangerous liquids such as cleaning liquid, chemical liquid, and hot water for cleaning the equipment constituting the production facility may flow. In addition, in this type of piping system, the necessary parts are opened when performing maintenance. In some cases, a strainer for trapping foreign matter is installed in the middle of the piping system. This strainer has a mesh screen inside a housing, and the foreign matter trapped by this screen is removed during maintenance. To do this, it is necessary to remove the strainer's cover, but the above-mentioned dangerous liquid may have flowed in the piping system before and after the strainer, and the worker checks in advance whether the liquid is stagnating before and after the strainer before performing maintenance on the strainer. Here, a strainer has been used as an example for explanation, but the safety of not only the strainer but also the parts of the piping equipment in the piping system where maintenance is performed is checked in advance.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses the provision of a locking mechanism that prohibits the opening of the lid when the temperature and pressure exceed a predetermined value. More specifically, an electromagnetic lock consisting of a metal plate attached to the lid and an electromagnet arranged to face the plate is proposed. In this electric field locking mechanism, when the temperature, etc. exceed a predetermined value, the electromagnet generates a magnetic force that magnetically attracts the iron plate, thereby prohibiting the lid from opening. When the temperature, etc. are equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the electromagnet is turned off to allow the lid to open. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-238237 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the cited document 1, if an electromagnet generates a magnetic force, it is possible to prohibit the lid from being opened by magnetic attraction. However, if a person can touch the openable part such as the lid, it is impossible to deny the possibility that the openable part will open even if it is locked by magnetic attraction. In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a safety device and a piping system equipped with a safety device that can further reduce the possibility of an openable / closable portion opening. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The piping system according to the present disclosure comprises a pipe through which a fluid flows, a piping device provided in the middle of the piping and having an openable / closable portion, a fixed body having an operating portion that mechanically fixes the openable / closable portion to the piping device and fixes and releases the fixation, and a safety device that selects between a locked state that prevents operation of the operating portion and an unlocked state that allows operation. The safety device includes a switch that maintains a locked state when no power is supplied and that becomes an unlocked state when power is supplied, and a shield that is mechanically connected to the switch in the locked state and covers the operating unit, and that is mechanically disconnected from the switch in the unlocked state.

[0007] The safety device according to the present disclosure selects between a locked state that prevents operation of the operating unit and an unlocked state that allows the operation. The safety device includes a switch that is in a locked state when no power is supplied and in an unlocked state when power is supplied, and a shield that is mechanically connected to the switch in the locked state and covers the operating unit, and that is mechanically disconnected from the switch in the unlocked state. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the safety device of the present disclosure, the shield mechanically connected to the switch covers and conceals the operating portion, further reducing the possibility that the openable / closable portion will open. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a piping system according to the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a main part of the piping system of FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a view taken along the arrows A and BB in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram showing the locked state [LOCK] and the unlocked state [FREE] of a safety device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the locked state [LOCK] and the unlocked state [FREE] of a switch. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a preferred procedure for strainer maintenance in a piping system equipped with multiple types of measuring instruments. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a piping system equipped with a gas filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, a piping system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. As an example, this piping system 1 includes a strainer 10 in the middle of the piping system, and a safety device 30 having a locking function for preventing the lid 15 of the strainer 10 from being opened. The safety device 30 has a function (first function) for keeping the lid 15 locked even if the power is turned off, and also has a function (second function) for preventing the operation of the butterfly screw 17D for opening the lid 15 of the strainer 10 in the locked state. The safety device 30 has these two functions.

[0011] [Configuration of piping system 1: Figure 1, Figure 2] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the piping system 1 includes, for example, an upstream pipe 2 and a downstream pipe 3 separated by a strainer 10. The upstream pipe 2 is connected to a tank 4 that stores a liquid L, and the liquid L stored in the tank 4 flows through the upstream pipe 2, the strainer 10, and the downstream pipe 3 in this order. In this manner, the "upstream" and "downstream" of the upstream pipe 2 and the downstream pipe 3 are specified based on the direction in which the liquid L flows. However, "upstream" and "downstream" have relative meanings, and for example, the strainer 10 is located downstream of the upstream pipe 2, but is located upstream of the downstream pipe 3. The downstream pipe 3 is connected further downstream than shown in the drawings, but a description thereof will be omitted here. Liquid L, such as chemicals or hot water, which may be dangerous if a person comes into contact with it, may flow through the piping system 1. The liquid L may be present in the piping system 1 under pressure, and if the lid 15 is accidentally opened while the liquid L is still under pressure, the liquid L will gush out. The safety device 30 is provided, for example, to prevent such an event.

[0012] [Strainer 10: Figure 2, Figure 3] The strainer 10 removes foreign matter from the liquid L flowing from the upstream pipe 2 and directs the liquid L toward the downstream pipe 3. 2 and 3, the strainer 10 includes, for example, a cylindrical housing 11, a cylindrical sieve 13 installed inside the housing 11, a lid 15 that closes an opening on the upstream side U of the housing 11, and a fastener 17 that fixes the lid 15 and the housing 11 together. Moreover, each of the above elements constituting the strainer 10 is, for example, made of a metal material having excellent corrosion resistance such as stainless steel. The strainer 10 is an example of a piping device of the present disclosure, and the lid 15 is an example of an openable / closable portion of the present disclosure.

[0013] 2, the housing 11 includes a housing main body 11A, an upstream connection end 11B provided at one end of the housing main body 11A and connected to the upstream piping 2, and a downstream connection end 11C provided at the other end of the housing main body 11A and connected to the downstream piping 3. The upstream connection end 11B is received on the side of the housing main body 11A so as to be perpendicular to the central axis C of the housing main body 11A, and the downstream connection end 11C is formed so that its central axis coincides with the central axis C. The strainer 10 is a member called an L-type strainer, but other types of strainers can be used in the present disclosure.

[0014] 3, the housing 11 has an opening 11D to which a lid 15 is attached. When the liquid L passes through the strainer 10 to remove foreign matter, the opening 11D is sealed with the lid 15, but during maintenance, the lid 15 is removed and the sieve 13 is pulled out from the housing body 11A. In this way, the inside of the housing body 11A, which has become a gap, is cleaned, and foreign matter caught in the sieve 13 is removed and cleaned. When the cleaned sieve 13 is placed in a predetermined position inside the housing body 11A, the lid 15 is tightened.

[0015] For example, a metal mesh made of metal wires such as stainless steel wires woven in a lattice pattern, a resin mesh cloth, etc., is used as the sieve 13. In the present disclosure, the mesh size of the sieve 13 is arbitrary and may be determined according to the size of the foreign matter to be captured.

[0016] The lid 15 includes a lid body 15A that fits into the opening 11D, and a T-shaped handle 15B that is connected to the lid body 15A and is operated when removing the lid body 15A from the opening 11D. When the mechanical fastening (fixing) between the lid body 15A and the housing 11 by the fastener 17 is released, the lid body 15A can be removed from the opening 11D by pulling the handle 15B upstream (U).

[0017] The fastener 17 is a mechanical locking mechanism, and is called a sanitary joint, a sanitary clamp band, or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener 17 includes three band elements 17A, 17B, and 17C as an example. The three band elements 17A, 17B, and 17C surround the housing body 11A, and the band elements 17A and 17B are fastened together by fastening the wing screw 17D. When the wing screw 17D is loosened, the fastening between the band elements 17A and 17B is released, and the lid 15 can be removed. In this way, the fastener 17 mechanically locks and unlocks the lid 15 and the housing 11 by fastening or loosening the wing screw 17D. However, unless certain conditions are met, the wing screw 17D cannot be operated by the safety device 30. The fastener 17 is an example of a fixed body in the present disclosure, and the butterfly screw 17D is an example of an operating part in the present disclosure. The safety device 30 will be described below. Note that other fixing means can be used as long as the lid main body 15A and the housing 11 can be mechanically fixed to each other.

[0018] [Safety device 30: Figures 1, 2, 3, 4] 2, the safety device 30 includes a switch 31 supported at a predetermined position on the housing 11, and a shield 32 that sets the switch 31 to a locked state that prevents operation of the butterfly screw 17D, or to an unlocked state that allows operation, depending on the state (locked state or unlocked state) of the switch 31. The safety device 30 also includes a pressure gauge 37 that measures the pressure inside the upstream piping 2, and a controller 50 that acquires the pressure measurement result from the pressure gauge 37 and sends an instruction to the switch 31 based on the pressure measurement result.

[0019] The switch 31 includes a switch body 31A and a locking body 31B that is inserted into and removed from the switch body 31A, and is selectively set in two states, a locked state and an unlocked state. As an example, a solenoid lock type switch is used as the switch 31. The basic operation of an example of a solenoid lock type switch will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0020] The switch body 31A includes a solenoid 31A1, a rod 31A2 disposed in an inner space of the solenoid 31A1, a compression coil spring 31A3 provided between the solenoid 31A1 and the rod 31A2, and a cam 31A4 with which the rod 31A2 is engaged.

[0021] In the locked state, power is not supplied to the solenoid 31A1, and no magnetic force is generated from the solenoid 31A1. Therefore, the rod 31A2 fits into the cam groove of the cam 31A4 by the elastic force of the compression coil spring 31A3, and the rotation of the cam 31A4 is restricted. Then, the lock body 31B cannot be pulled out from the switch body 31A, and the switch 31 is in the locked state. At this time, the switch 31 and the shielding body 32 are mechanically connected. In the unlocked state, power is supplied to the solenoid 31A1. The magnetic force generated by the excitation of the solenoid 31A1 exceeds the elastic force of the compression coil spring 31A3, causing the compression coil spring 31A3 to contract, and the rod 31A2 moves to the side away from the cam 31A4, allowing the cam 31A4 to rotate. Then, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4, the locking body 31B can be pulled out of the switch body 31A, and the switch 31 is in the unlocked state. At this time, the mechanical connection between the switch 31 and the shielding body 32 is released.

[0022] The operation of the shielding body 32 corresponding to the two states of the switch 31 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The locked state is shown as [LOCK] in FIG. 5, and the unlocked state is shown as [FREE] in FIG. 5. The switch 31 is configured to remain in the locked state without transitioning to the unlocked state unless a specific electrical command is received, and the locked state can be maintained even if the power is turned off in the locked state. An electrical command for transitioning from the locked state to the unlocked state is issued from the controller 50 based on the measurement result of the pressure gauge 37. In the unlocked state, the locking body 31B can be removed from the switch body 31A, so that the locking body 31B is released from the switch body 31A when the handle 35 is grasped and the shielding body 32 is moved. This allows operation of the butterfly screw 17D.

[0023] The shield 32 is, for example, made up of two members. 3 and 5, the shield 32 includes a connecting body 33 that is mechanically connected to the switch 31 via the locking body 31B, and a cover 36 that covers at least the butterfly screw 17D of the fastening body 17 when the connecting body 33 is in the locked position. The connecting body 33 and the cover 36 are produced as separate bodies, but may be integrated thereafter by means of welding or the like, or may be used as separate bodies. The connecting body 33 includes a restraining piece 34 that restrains the movement of the cover 36 in the locked position, and a handle 35 attached to the restraining piece 34.

[0024] The restraining piece 34 is made of, for example, a metal plate material having an L-shaped vertical section, and includes a support portion 34A whose one end is detachably supported by the locking body 31B of the switch 31, and a holding portion 34B that hangs down from the other end of the support portion 34A. The support portion 34A extends along the horizontal direction H while being supported by the locking body 31B, and the holding portion 34B extends along the vertical direction V. Since the holding portion 34B is in contact with the cover 36, the cover 36 cannot be removed from that position.

[0025] 2 and 3, the cover 36 includes a semicircular first wall 36A and a horseshoe-shaped second wall 36B facing the first wall 36A. The first wall 36A has a notch 36A1 for allowing the handle 15B to penetrate the cover 36 and be exposed to the outside. The first wall 36A and the second wall 36B are connected at their respective outer peripheries by a U-shaped third wall 36C. In the cover 36, the fastener 17, particularly the butterfly screw 17D, is accommodated in a gap surrounded by the first wall 36A, the second wall 36B, and the third wall 36C.

[0026] With the locking body 31B of the switch 31 in the locked state, when the shielding body 32 is in the locked position, the wing screw 17D is covered and hidden by the cover 36. Therefore, even an operator in charge of the piping system 1 cannot operate the wing screw 17D. Whether the locking body 31B is in the locked state or the unlocked state depends on an instruction from the controller 50. In other words, the locking body 31B remains in the locked state unless there is an instruction from the controller 50, and when there is an instruction from the controller 50, the locking body 31B transitions to the unlocked state.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the controller 50 acquires a measured pressure value Pv, which is a pressure measured by the pressure gauge 37, and judges whether the acquired measured pressure value Pv should cause the lock body 31B to remain in a locked state or to transition to an unlocked state. To make this judgment, the controller 50 holds a reference pressure value Ps and compares the measured pressure value Pv acquired from the pressure gauge 37 with the reference pressure value Ps. The controller 50 can acquire the measured pressure value Pv from the pressure gauge 37 continuously in time, or can acquire it intermittently in time. The reference pressure value Ps may be 0 MPa.

[0028] If the measured pressure value Pv exceeds the reference pressure value Ps as a result of the comparison, the controller 50 determines that the liquid L is flowing in the upstream pipe 2 in which the pressure gauge 37 is provided and that the locking body 31B should be kept in the locked state (locked state determination). If the acquired measured pressure value Pv is equal to or lower than the reference pressure value Ps, the controller 50 determines that the liquid L is not flowing in the upstream pipe 2 in which the pressure gauge 37 is provided or is flowing in a very small amount, and that the locking body 31B may be moved to the unlocked state (unlocked state determination). This unlocked state determination is reflected in the operation of the switch 31. In other words, the controller 50 commands the switch 31 to transition the locking body 31B to the unlocked state.

[0029] When a command to transition switch 31 to the unlocked state, i.e., when power is supplied to solenoid 31A1, the shield 32 that had been holding cover 36 can be moved away from cover 36, as shown from [LOCK] in Fig. 5 to [FREE] in Fig. 5. Then, after removing cover 36, the fastening of housing 11 and lid 15 by fastener 17 can be released by loosening thumb screw 17D. This makes it possible to perform maintenance such as removing sieve 13 from inside housing 11 to remove foreign matter. If shield 32 and cover 36 are integrated, shield 32 and cover 36 can be moved together.

[0030] [Effects of piping system 1] The piping system 1 includes the safety device 30 described above, and thus has the following effects. According to the safety device 30, the butterfly screw 17D is covered with the cover 36, and since the worker cannot touch the butterfly screw 17D in the first place, the worker cannot remove the lid 15 by mistake. The cover 36 is held down by the connector 33 in the lock position so that it cannot be moved, and the butterfly screw 17D cannot be touched unless quite intentionally. Therefore, according to the safety device 30, the possibility that the lid 15, which is an openable / closable part, will open can be further reduced.

[0031] Even if the power is cut off, the switch 31 of the safety device 30 remains in the locked state, and the butterfly screw 17D as the operating part remains covered by the cover 36 of the shielding body 32, so that the operator cannot remove the lid 15. Therefore, the safety device 30 can continue to maintain its function even if the power is cut off.

[0032] According to the safety device 30, the controller 50 transitions the switch 31 from a locked state to an unlocked state after determining that the piping system 1 is safe based on the measured pressure value Pv, so that the safety of the operator is ensured even if the lid 15 is removed. Furthermore, by checking and determining whether the lid 15 is locked or unlocked using the controller 50, it is possible to prevent hot water or chemicals from leaking out when the lid 15 is open or during maintenance.

[0033] In addition to the above, it is possible to select and discard the configurations given in the above embodiment, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate. [Switch drive source] For example, in the safety device 30, as a preferred embodiment, the solenoid 31A1 and the compression coil spring 31A3 are used as the drive source for moving the rod 31A2 of the switch 31, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. Other drive sources, such as a fluid pressure actuator having a piston-cylinder mechanism, or an electric actuator made of a linear motor, can be used. Even with these drive sources, the connector 33 can be moved back and forth between the locked state and the unlocked state.

[0034] [Type of measuring instrument] In addition, as a preferred embodiment, an example has been described in which the pressure gauge 37 is used as the device for measuring the state of the liquid L in the safety device 30, but the measuring instrument in the present disclosure is not limited to the pressure gauge 37. For example, various measuring instruments such as a concentration meter 38, a thermometer 39, a level gauge 41, and a conductivity meter can be used. One or more types of various measuring instruments are selected according to the liquid L flowing in the piping system 1. An example arrangement of the concentration meter 38, the thermometer 39, and the level gauge 41 is shown by symbols in FIG. 1.

[0035] When the controller 50 acquires that the concentration of a specific component of the liquid L flowing through the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3 measured by the concentration meter 38 is equal to or lower than a threshold value, the controller 50 can instruct the switch 31 to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. In other words, the measurement result by the concentration meter allows the operator to determine that the type of liquid L is safe, for example, water. The type of liquid L can also be determined by using a conductivity meter.

[0036] If the controller 50 acquires that the temperature of the liquid L flowing through the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3 measured by the thermometer 39 is equal to or lower than the threshold value, the controller 50 can instruct the switch 31 to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. In other words, the measurement result by the thermometer 39 allows the operator to determine whether the temperature of the liquid L is safe or not.

[0037] If the controller 50 acquires that the level of the liquid L flowing in the upstream pipe 2 or the downstream pipe 3 measured by the level gauge 41 is equal to or lower than a threshold value, the controller 50 can instruct the switch 31 to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state. In other words, the measurement result by the level gauge 41 allows the operator to determine whether the amount of liquid L is safe or not.

[0038] An example of the procedure for maintaining the strainer 10 when multiple types of measuring instruments are provided as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that it is assumed that a pump (not shown) for pumping the liquid L flowing through the piping system 1 is running, but maintenance of the strainer 10 is performed on the premise that this pump is stopped. In addition, the measuring instruments and devices that will be described below are connected to a controller 50, which acquires information on the measurement results from each measuring instrument and information on the status of the device, and controls the operation of the corresponding device.

[0039] [Whether or not to stop the pump: S101, S102] Whether or not to stop the pump is determined by, for example, checking the concentration using a concentration meter 38 provided in the downstream piping 3 (FIG. 6, S101), and if the concentration is low, the pump is stopped (FIG. 6, S102). Maintenance of the strainer 10 and other parts of the piping system 1 is performed with the pump stopped. Information that the pump has been stopped (pump information) is provided to the controller 50.

[0040] [Valve opening / closing check: S103] Next, the open / closed states of various valves, such as drain valves, provided in the piping system 1 are confirmed by detectors provided corresponding to the respective valves. These open / closed states are states required for performing maintenance. For example, a drain valve needs to be opened in order to discharge the liquid L remaining in the piping system 1 outside the system. Conversely, a valve associated with the tank 4, which is the supply source of the liquid L, needs to be closed. As described above, in the valve open / close confirmation, both open and closed states are confirmed. Information (valve information) that various valves are in a state required for performing maintenance is provided to the controller 50.

[0041] [Temperature check: S104] When the controller 50 acquires the valve information, the temperature of the liquid L is then confirmed by the thermometer 39. This confirmation is performed by determining whether the temperature value Tv of the liquid L measured by the thermometer 39 is equal to or lower than the reference temperature value Ts. Information (temperature information) that the measured temperature value Tv≦reference temperature value Ts is provided to the controller 50.

[0042] [Pressure check: S105] After the controller 50 acquires the temperature information, the pressure of the liquid L is then checked by the pressure gauge 37 . This confirmation is performed by determining whether the measured pressure value Pv of the liquid L by the pressure gauge 37 is equal to or lower than the reference pressure value Ps. Information (pressure information) that the measured pressure value Pv≦reference pressure value Ps is provided to the controller 50.

[0043] [Check remaining liquid: S106] When the controller 50 acquires the pressure information, the level gauge 41 checks the liquid level of the liquid L in the piping system 1 . This confirmation is performed as to whether or not the measured liquid level value Sv of the liquid L by the level gauge 41 is equal to or lower than the reference liquid level value Ss. Information (liquid level information) that the measured liquid level value Sv≦reference liquid level value Ss is provided to the controller 50.

[0044] [Switch unlocked: S107] When the controller 50 acquires the valve information, temperature information, pressure information, and liquid level information in that order, it instructs the solenoid 31A1 of the switch main body 31A of the switch 31, which was in the locked state until then, to supply power. This causes the switch 31 to enter the unlocked state.

[0045] [Shielding body 32 Fastener body 17 Removal: S108, S109] When switch 31 is in the unlocked state, shield 32 is removed. Then, butterfly screw 17D of fastener 17 can be operated, and fastener 17 is removed from housing 11 and lid 15 by loosening butterfly screw 17D.

[0046] [Removal / Maintenance of strainer 10: S110] Once the lid 15 is removed, the sieve 13 is removed from the housing 11 and maintenance of the sieve 13 and the inside of the housing 11 is performed.

[0047] In the above, the condition is that the controller 50 checks four pieces of information, namely, valve information, temperature information, pressure information, and liquid level information, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, if a rule is set such that if the conditions for the preceding judgments are not satisfied for the four pieces of information, the switch 31 may be set to the unlocked state based on the judgment of only the fourth piece of liquid level information.

[0048] [Other applications of the safety device 30: Figure 7] Although the strainer 10 that removes foreign matter from the liquid L has been illustrated as an example of an opening device in the piping system 1, the application of the safety device 30 in the present disclosure is not limited to this. In the piping system, the application can be to various mechanical elements that have a mechanical locking mechanism. In the piping system 5 shown in FIG. 7, gas G flows from upstream U to downstream D. In the illustrated range, the piping system 5 includes two gas filters 20A and 20B. The gas filter 20A is connected to the upstream pipe 2A and the downstream pipe 3A, and the gas filter 20B is connected to the upstream pipe 2B and the downstream pipe 3B. Each of the gas filters 20A and 20B includes a housing 21, a sieve 23 accommodated inside the housing 21, and a lid 25 that closes the opening of the housing 21, like the strainer 10. The housing 21 and the lid 25 are fastened together by a fastening body 17 including band elements 17A and 17B. For example, the lower end of the housing 21 is surrounded by the outer circumferential surface of the lid 25, and the fastening body 17 fastens the housing 21 to the housing 21. This fastening involves a butterfly screw 17D, as in the piping system 1. 7 shows the housing 21, the sieve 23, the lid 25, and the like of the gas filter 20B, but the gas filter 20A also has similar elements. In addition, although gas filters 20A and 20B for gas are illustrated here, the present disclosure can be applied to filters for fluids, steam, and the like.

[0049] The piping system 5 is provided with safety devices 30A, 30B corresponding to the two gas filters 20A, 20B, respectively. That is, the fastener 17, particularly the butterfly screw 17D, is covered with a cover 36, and the locked state in which the butterfly screw 17D is covered with the cover 36 is maintained even if the power of the switch 31 is turned off. The safety devices 30A, 30B include elements similar to the safety device 30 in the piping system 1, but in order to avoid overlapping descriptions with the piping system 1, only the minimum necessary reference numerals are used.

[0050] The piping system 5 includes a pressure gauge 37A downstream of the gas filter 20A, and a pressure gauge 37B downstream of the gas filter 20B. The piping system 5 also includes a thermometer 39 downstream of the pressure gauge 37B.

[0051] In the piping system 5 as well, the state of the gas G is measured by the pressure gauges 37A, 37B and the thermometer 39, and the switch 31 can be shifted from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the measured values.

[0052] [Note] Based on the above disclosure, the following configurations can be understood. [1] A piping system (1, 2), A pipe (2, 3) through which a fluid (L, G) flows; a piping device (10, 25) provided in the middle of the piping (2, 3) and having an openable / closable portion (15, 20A, 20B); a fixed body (17) having an operating part (17D) that mechanically fixes the openable and closable parts (15, 20A, 20B) to the piping device (10, 25) and fixes and releases the fixation; a safety device (30) for selecting between a locked state that prevents operation of the operation unit (17D) and an unlocked state that allows the operation; The safety device (30) is a switch (31) that maintains a locked state when no power is supplied and that becomes an unlocked state when power is supplied; The locking mechanism includes a shield (32) that is mechanically connected to the switch (31) in a locked state and covers and conceals the operating part (17D), and that is mechanically disconnected from the switch (31) in an unlocked state.

[0053] [2] The piping system of [1], wherein the safety device (30) includes measuring instruments (37, 38, 39, 41) for measuring the state of the fluids (L, G) provided in the piping (2, 3), and a controller (50) for instructing the switch (31) to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state based on the measured values ​​of the measuring instruments (37, 38, 39, 41).

[0054] [3] The safety device (30) is A plurality of types of measuring instruments (37, 38, 39, 41) for measuring different states of the fluid (L, G), The controller (50) instructs a transition from a locked state to an unlocked state based on respective measurement values ​​of a plurality of types of measuring instruments (37, 38, 39, 41).

[0055] [4] The instrumentation shall include at least a pressure gauge (37) for the piping system of [3].

[0056] [5] Switch (31) a driving source (31A1, 31A3, etc.) that receives power to transition from a locked state to an unlocked state; A piping system according to [1], comprising: a locking body (31B) that, in a locked state, is mechanically connected to a driving source (31A, 31A3, etc.), and that, in an unlocked state, is mechanically disconnected from the driving source (31A, 31A3, etc.).

[0057] [6] The driving source (31A1, 31A3, etc.) is A solenoid (31A1) is provided which receives power to generate a magnetic field; When the solenoid (31A1) generates a magnetic field, the mechanical connection between the lock body (31B) and the drive source (31A, 31A3, etc.) is released. [5] Piping system.

[0058] a safety device (30) for selecting between a locked state that prevents operation of an operation unit (17D) and an unlocked state that allows the operation, the safety device including a switch (31) that is in the locked state when no power is supplied and in the unlocked state when power is supplied; The locking mechanism includes a shield (32) that is mechanically connected to the switch (31) in a locked state and covers and conceals the operating part (17D), and that is mechanically disconnected from the switch (31) in an unlocked state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Piping system 2 Upstream piping 3 Downstream piping 4. Tank 10 Strainer 11,21 Case 11A Main unit 11B Upstream connection end 11C Downstream connection end 11D aperture 13,23 Sieve 15,25 lid 15A Lid body 15B Handle 17 Fasteners 17A, 17B, 17C Band elements 17D butterfly screw 20A, 20B Gas Filter 30 Safety equipment 31 Switch 31A Switch body 31A1 Solenoid 31A2 Rod 31A3 Compression coil spring 31A4 Cam 32 Shield 33 Connectors 34 Restraint piece 34A Support part 34B Retaining part 35 Toride 36 Cover 36A 1st wall 36B 2nd wall 36C 3rd wall 37, 37A, 37B Pressure gauge 38 Densitometer 39 Thermometer 50 Controller C center axis H horizontal direction V vertical direction L liquid G Gas U Upstream D downstream

Claims

1. An upstream pipe through which a fluid flows, and a downstream pipe through which the fluid flows, A piping device including a housing provided midway between the upstream piping and the downstream piping and having an opening for maintenance, and a cover capable of opening and closing the opening of the housing; a fixing body that is responsible for mechanically fixing the lid and the housing and has an operation unit that performs the fixing and release of the fixing; a safety device that selects between a locked state that prevents operation of the operation unit and an unlocked state that allows the operation, The safety device comprises: a switch that maintains the locked state when no power is supplied and that switches to the unlocked state when power is supplied; In the locked state, the switch is mechanically connected to the switch, and the operation unit is covered and hidden. and a shield that is mechanically disconnected from the switch in the unlocked state.

2. The safety device comprises: a measuring instrument that measures a state of the fluid and is provided in one or both of the upstream piping and the downstream piping; The piping system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a controller that instructs the switch to transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on a measurement value in the measuring device.

3. The safety device comprises: A plurality of types of measuring instruments are provided for measuring different states of the fluid, The piping system according to claim 2 , wherein the controller instructs a transition from the locked state to the unlocked state based on the measured values ​​of each of the plurality of types of measuring instruments.

4. The measuring instrument includes at least a pressure gauge. The piping system according to claim 3.

5. The switch is a drive source that receives the power and operates from the locked state to the unlocked state; In the locked state, a mechanical connection is established with the driving source, and in the unlocked state, 2. The piping system according to claim 1, further comprising: a locking body that releases the mechanical connection between the driving source and the locking body in the above-mentioned state.

6. The driving source is a solenoid that receives the power and generates a magnetic field; The piping system according to claim 5 , wherein when the solenoid generates the magnetic field, the mechanical connection between the lock body and the drive source is released.

7. The fixing body is a fastening band that surrounds and fastens the housing, The piping system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the operating portion is a screw that tightens the fastening band.

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