Heating device condition monitoring method and condition monitoring system

Abstract

To provide a heating apparatus state monitoring method and a state monitoring system capable of suitably monitoring a state of a heating apparatus provided with a plurality of heating elements electrically connected in series.SOLUTION: In an initial value determination step (step S11) of a heating apparatus state monitoring method, a first initial potential difference of a first conductive path part and a second initial potential difference of a second conductive path part are acquired. In a potential difference acquisition step (step S12), a first potential difference of the first conductive path part and a second potential difference of the second conductive path part are acquired. Monitoring information acquired in a monitoring information acquisition step (step S13) includes initial comparison information obtained by comparing the respective initial potential differences including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, and comparison information obtained by comparing the respective potential differences including the first potential difference and the second potential difference. In an abnormality determination step (step S14), abnormality determination of the conductive path part is performed by comparing the initial comparison information with the comparison information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for monitoring the state of a heating device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, a heating device having a conductive path electrically connecting multiple heating elements may be used to heat an object to be heated, such as glass raw material or molten glass (Patent Document 1).Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection method for inspecting the damage state of a heating element, which includes a step of determining the state of the heating element based on a rate of change in electrical resistance calculated from the total value of the electrical resistance values ​​of the multiple heating elements. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-035724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a heating device having multiple heating elements electrically connected in series as described above is temperature controlled based on the temperature of the object to be heated and the ambient temperature around the object to be heated, the electrical resistance of each heating element changes over time in response to changes in output due to temperature control and changes in the temperature of the heating element. Therefore, when the state of the heating elements is monitored using the rate of change in electrical resistance calculated from the sum of the electrical resistance values ​​of the multiple heating elements, as in the conventional method described above, the following problem arises. That is, with the conventional method described above, it is difficult, for example, to improve the accuracy of identifying sparks occurring in the heating elements or to grasp detailed conditions, such as signs of sparks occurring in the heating elements.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a heating device status monitoring method and status monitoring system that can suitably monitor the status of a heating device equipped with multiple heating elements electrically connected in series. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a state monitoring method for a heating device that solves the above-described problem is a state monitoring method for a heating device including a conductive path in which a plurality of heating elements are electrically connected in series and a power source that supplies electricity to the conductive path, the method including: an initial value determination step of determining an initial value of a potential difference of a conductive path portion including at least one of the heating elements; a potential difference acquisition step of acquiring the potential difference of the conductive path portion; a monitoring information acquisition step of acquiring monitoring information for monitoring the state of the heating elements; and an abnormality determination step of determining an abnormality in the conductive path portion based on the monitoring information acquired in the monitoring information acquisition step, wherein the initial value determination step includes a step of acquiring a first initial potential difference of a first conductive path portion. and a step of acquiring a second initial potential difference of a second conductive path section different from the first conductive path section, wherein the potential difference acquisition step comprises a first potential difference acquisition step of acquiring a first potential difference of the first conductive path section and a second potential difference acquisition step of acquiring a second potential difference of the second conductive path section, wherein the monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition step includes initial comparison information comparing each initial potential difference including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, and comparison information comparing each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference, and wherein the abnormality determination step performs an abnormality determination of the conductive path section by comparing the initial comparison information with the comparison information.

[0007] Another aspect of a method for monitoring the status of a heating device that solves the above-mentioned problem is a method for monitoring the status of a heating device that includes a conductive path in which multiple heating elements are electrically connected in series and a power source that supplies electricity to the conductive path, and includes a potential difference acquisition process that acquires a potential difference in a conductive path section that includes at least one of the heating elements, a monitoring information acquisition process that acquires monitoring information that monitors the status of the heating elements, and an abnormality determination process that determines an abnormality in the conductive path section based on the monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition process, wherein the potential difference acquisition process includes a first potential difference acquisition process that acquires a first potential difference in a first conductive path section and a second potential difference acquisition process that acquires a second potential difference in a second conductive path section that is different from the first conductive path section, and the monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition process includes comparison information that compares each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

[0008] According to this method, since the comparison information described above is acquired as monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition step, a change in the state of the heating element included in the first conductive path portion or the second conductive path portion can be grasped as a relative change between the first potential difference and the second potential difference. Therefore, even if the electrical resistance value of each heating element changes over time as the temperature of the heating device is controlled, for example, the change in the state of the heating element included in the first conductive path portion or the second conductive path portion can be easily grasped. Then, in the abnormality determination step, an abnormality in the conductive path portion can be easily determined based on the comparison information acquired as monitoring information.

[0009] In the above-described method for monitoring a state of a heating device, it is preferable that either the first conductive path portion or the second conductive path portion includes a plurality of the heat generating elements. In the above-described method for monitoring a state of a heating device, it is more preferable that each of the first conductive path portion and the second conductive path portion includes a plurality of the heat generating elements.

[0010] According to the above method, in the monitoring information acquisition process, by acquiring monitoring information based on the potential difference of a conductive path section including multiple heating elements, it is possible to avoid the monitoring information becoming more complicated than when acquiring monitoring information based on the potential difference of individual heating elements.

[0011] In the above-mentioned heating device condition monitoring method, the abnormality determination process may further include an individual potential difference acquisition process for determining an abnormality in either the first conductive path section or the second conductive path section based on the comparison information in the monitoring information acquisition process, and acquiring individual potential differences of each heating element included in the conductive path section determined to be abnormal in the abnormality determination process, and an identification process for identifying heating elements that require replacement or repair based on the potential differences of each heating element acquired in the individual potential difference acquisition process.

[0012] According to this method, the work of replacing or repairing the heating element can be carried out efficiently. In the above-described method for monitoring a state of a heating device, the abnormality determination step may determine whether or not there is a sign of spark generation in any of the heat generating elements of the conductive path portion.

[0013] This method can prevent the heating element from breaking due to spark generation. In the above-mentioned heating device condition monitoring method, the abnormality determination process may determine whether the conductive path portion is abnormal by setting the first potential difference of the first conductive path portion acquired in advance as a first initial potential difference, setting the second potential difference of the second conductive path portion acquired in advance as a second initial potential difference, and comparing initial comparison information obtained by comparing each initial potential difference including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference with the comparison information of the monitoring information acquisition process.

[0014] According to this method, for example, it is possible to determine whether the conductive path portion is abnormal, taking into consideration differences in the initial performance of the heating elements based on tolerances of the individual heating elements. In the above-described method for monitoring the state of a heating device, the heating device may be used for heating glass.

[0015] This method can reduce the maintenance work required for glass manufacturing equipment and improve the quality of the glass. One aspect of a condition monitoring system is a condition monitoring system that monitors the condition of a heating device that has a conductive path in which multiple heating elements are electrically connected in series and a power source that supplies electricity to the conductive path, and includes: a potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a potential difference in a conductive path portion that includes at least one of the heating elements; a monitoring information acquisition unit that acquires monitoring information that monitors the condition of the heating elements; and an abnormality judgment unit that judges an abnormality in the conductive path portion based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring information acquisition unit, wherein the potential difference acquisition unit includes a first potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a first initial potential difference and a first potential difference of a first conductive path portion, and a second potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a second initial potential difference and a second potential difference of a second conductive path portion different from the first conductive path portion, and the monitoring information of the monitoring information acquisition unit includes initial comparison information that compares each initial potential difference including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, and comparison information of each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference, and the abnormality judgment unit judges an abnormality in the conductive path portion by comparing the initial comparison information with the comparison information.

[0016] Another aspect of a condition monitoring system is a condition monitoring system that monitors the condition of a heating device that includes a conductive path in which multiple heating elements are electrically connected in series and a power source that supplies electricity to the conductive path, and includes: a potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a potential difference in a conductive path portion that includes at least one of the heating elements; a monitoring information acquisition unit that acquires monitoring information that monitors the condition of the heating elements; and an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in the conductive path portion based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring information acquisition unit, wherein the potential difference acquisition unit includes a first potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a first potential difference in a first conductive path portion, and a second potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a second potential difference in a second conductive path portion that is different from the first conductive path portion, and the monitoring information of the monitoring information acquisition unit includes comparison information of each potential difference, including the first potential difference and the second potential difference. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to suitably monitor the state of a heating device that includes a plurality of heating elements electrically connected in series. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state monitoring system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a graph showing the relationship between time and potential difference. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing a method for monitoring the state of a heating device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a heating device status monitoring method and status monitoring system will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that for the sake of convenience, some components may be shown exaggerated or simplified in the drawings. Furthermore, the dimensional proportions of each part may differ from the actual proportions.

[0020] <Condition monitoring system> 1, the condition monitoring system 11 is a system that monitors the condition of a heating device 12. The heating device 12 includes a conductive path 14 in which a plurality of heating elements 13 are electrically connected in series, and a power source 15 that supplies electricity to the conductive path 14.

[0021] In this embodiment, a heating device 12 for heating glass will be described as an example. The heating device 12 further includes a melting furnace 16 for melting glass raw materials. The melting furnace 16 has a bottom wall 17, a side wall 18, and an upper wall 19. The melting furnace 16 can be made of, for example, a refractory material such as brick, platinum, or a platinum alloy.

[0022] A side wall 18 of the melting furnace 16 has a supply port 18a for supplying glass raw materials into the melting furnace 16 and an outlet port 18b for discharging molten glass MG from the melting furnace 16. Glass raw materials are supplied to the supply port 18a from a supply device FD. The molten glass MG discharged from the outlet port 18b is formed by a forming device MD arranged downstream of the melting furnace 16.

[0023] A plurality of heating elements 13 are attached to the upper wall 19 of the melting furnace 16. Each heating element 13 is a resistance heating element having a heating portion 13a that generates heat when electricity is applied and a non-heating portion 13b. Heating portion 13a of heating element 13 is disposed within melting furnace 16 and heats the glass raw materials and molten glass MG within melting furnace 16. Heating portion 13a of heating element 13 is disposed in the space above molten glass MG. Heating portion 13a of heating element 13 is used in an atmosphere in which it comes into contact with the volatile components of molten glass MG.

[0024] The heating element 13 in the heating device 12 of this embodiment has a U-shaped heating portion 13a, but the shape of the heating element 13 is not particularly limited. The shape of the heating portion 13a can be changed to, for example, a wave shape or a rod shape. The non-heating portion 13b includes, for example, a terminal or the like (not shown).

[0025] Examples of materials for the heat generating portion 13a of the heat generating element 13 include molybdenum disilicide, molybdenum, graphite, silicon carbide, nickel-chromium alloy, iron-chromium-aluminum alloy, tungsten, platinum, zirconia, and lanthanum chromite.

[0026] Heating device 12 is equipped with a temperature control unit 20 that controls the temperature of the power supplied to conductive path 14. Temperature control unit 20 performs, for example, feedback control based on a measured temperature value measured by a temperature sensor (not shown). The measured temperature value may be a measured temperature value of molten glass MG, which is the object to be heated, or a measured temperature value of the wall of melting furnace 16 or a measured temperature value of the atmosphere inside melting furnace 16. Power source 15 may be an AC power source or a DC power source.

[0027] The conductive path 14 of the heating device 12 includes a plurality of heating elements 13 and wiring that electrically connects the plurality of heating elements 13. The conductive path 14 includes a first conductive path portion 14a and a second conductive path portion 14b that is different from the first conductive path portion 14a. In this embodiment, the first conductive path portion 14a has a configuration in which three heating elements 13 are electrically connected in series. The second conductive path portion 14b also has a configuration in which three heating elements 13 are electrically connected in series.

[0028] The condition monitoring system 11 includes a condition monitoring control unit 21. The condition monitoring control unit 21 includes a first potential difference acquisition unit 22 that acquires a first potential difference of the first conductive path portion 14a, a second potential difference acquisition unit 23 that acquires a second potential difference of the second conductive path portion 14b, and a monitoring information acquisition unit 24 that acquires monitoring information for monitoring the condition of the heating element 13. The monitoring information of the monitoring information acquisition unit 24 is comparative information of each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, an example of the comparison information of the monitoring information acquisition unit 24 is a graph showing the first potential difference indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 and the second potential difference indicated by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 2 on a common time axis. Because the temperature of the heating device 12 is controlled by the temperature control unit 20, the first potential difference and the second potential difference change over time. Here, when the wear of each heating element 13 of the first conductive path portion 14a and the second conductive path portion 14b is small, the behavior of the first potential difference and the second potential difference accompanying the temperature control is approximately the same. On the other hand, for example, when wear of one of the heating elements 13 of the second conductive path portion 14b progresses, the second potential difference tends to increase relatively in the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

[0030] For example, in the graph shown in FIG. 2, the second potential difference tends to increase relatively from around time T1 among the first potential difference and the second potential difference. From this, it can be inferred that the degree of wear of one of the heating elements 13 in the second conductive path portion 14b has increased from around time T1. Furthermore, since the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference increases as time passes, it can be inferred that wear of the heating elements 13 is progressing. Then, for example, at time T2 shown in FIG. 2, a spark occurs in the heating element 13 included in the second conductive path portion 14b, causing the heating element 13 to break. By monitoring the comparison information, the manager of the heating device 12 can grasp signs of spark generation in the heating element 13.

[0031] The status monitoring control unit 21 of this embodiment further includes an abnormality determination unit 25 that determines whether either the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b is abnormal based on the comparison information from the monitoring information acquisition unit 24. The status monitoring control unit 21 further includes an individual potential difference acquisition unit 26 that acquires the individual potential differences of each heating element 13 included in the conductive path portion determined to be abnormal by the abnormality determination unit 25. The status monitoring control unit 21 further includes an identification unit 27 that identifies heating elements 13 that require replacement or repair based on the potential differences of each heating element 13 acquired in the individual potential difference acquisition step. The individual potential difference acquisition unit 26 acquires the potential differences of each heating element 13 using a potential difference measurement device (not shown). The identification unit 27 identifies heating elements 13 that exhibit an abnormal potential difference using a predetermined threshold value.

[0032] The status monitoring control unit 21 can be configured by a processor, memory, software, image display device, etc., which are not shown. <Method for monitoring the state of the heating device 12> Next, a method for monitoring the state of the heating device 12 will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

[0033] The method for monitoring the state of the heating device 12 includes an initial value determination step (step S11) for determining an initial value of the potential difference. The method for monitoring the state of the heating device 12 also includes a potential difference acquisition step (step S12) for acquiring the potential difference of the conductive path portion including at least one heating element 13, and a monitoring information acquisition step (step S13) for acquiring monitoring information for monitoring the state of the heating element 13.

[0034] In the initial value determination process of step S11, the previously acquired first potential difference is set as the first initial potential difference, the previously acquired second potential difference is set as the second initial potential difference, and initial comparison information is acquired by comparing the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference. As the initial comparison information, for example, the ratio of the first initial potential difference to the total potential difference of the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, or the ratio of the second initial potential difference to the total potential difference of the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, can be used. Note that the initial comparison information may also be, for example, the ratio of the first initial potential difference to the second initial potential difference or the difference between the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference.

[0035] In the initial value determination step of step S11, it is preferable to obtain the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference after the temperature of the object to be heated by the heating device 12 has stabilized. In the initial value determination step of step S11 of this embodiment, it is preferable to control the heating device 12 by the temperature control unit 20 until the temperature of the molten glass MG in the melting furnace 16 has stabilized, for example. Thus, in the initial value determination step of step S11 of this embodiment, it is preferable to obtain the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference when the temperature of the molten glass MG has fallen within a predetermined temperature range within a certain time.

[0036] After the initial value determination process of step S11, the temperature of the heating device 12 continues to be controlled, and the glass raw material and molten glass MG in the melting furnace 16 are heated. The initial value determination process in step S11 can be performed by the first potential difference acquisition unit 22, the second potential difference acquisition unit 23, and the monitoring information acquisition unit 24.

[0037] In the potential difference acquisition process of step S12, the first potential difference acquisition unit 22 acquires the first potential difference, and the second potential difference acquisition unit 23 acquires the second potential difference. In the monitoring information acquisition process of step S13, the monitoring information acquisition unit 24 acquires comparison information. The comparison information may be the ratio of the first potential difference to the total potential difference of the first potential difference and the second potential difference, or the ratio of the second potential difference to the total potential difference of the first potential difference and the second potential difference. Note that the comparison information may also be, for example, the ratio of the first potential difference to the second potential difference, or the difference between the first potential difference and the second potential difference. Note that when the comparison information is changed in this way, the initial comparison information described above may also be changed in the same way.

[0038] The method for monitoring the state of the heating device 12 further includes an abnormality determination step (step S14), an individual potential difference acquisition step (step S15), and an identification step (step S16). In the abnormality determination step of step S14, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in either the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b based on the comparison information obtained in the monitoring information acquisition step. In the abnormality determination step of step S14 of this embodiment, the abnormality determination is made based on the ratios determined in the initial value determination step of step S11. Specifically, in the abnormality determination step of step S14, threshold values ​​are further determined based on the ratios determined in the initial value determination step of step S11, and the abnormality determination is made using the threshold values.

[0039] In the abnormality determination process of step S14, for example, if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the second conductive path portion 14b (step S14: YES), the process proceeds to the individual potential difference acquisition process of step S15. If it is not determined that there is an abnormality in the abnormality determination process of step S14 (step S14: NO), the potential difference acquisition process of step S12 is repeated. In the abnormality determination process of step S14, for example, it can be determined whether or not there is a sign of spark generation in any of the heating elements 13 included in the conductive path portion of the heating device 12. More specifically, by setting a threshold value that takes safety into consideration in the abnormality determination process of step S14, it becomes possible to determine that there is an abnormality before a spark occurs in the heating element 13.

[0040] In the individual potential difference acquisition process of step S15, the individual potential difference of each heating element 13 included in the second conductive path portion 14b determined to be abnormal in the abnormality determination process of step S14 is acquired. As a method for acquiring the individual potential difference of each heating element 13, if an abnormality is determined in step S14, for example, this can be performed by attaching a potential difference measuring device to each heating element 13 and measuring each potential difference. In the identification process of step S16, heating elements 13 that need to be replaced or repaired are identified based on the potential difference of each heating element 13 acquired in the individual potential difference acquisition process of step S15.

[0041] More specifically, in the identification step of step S16, for example, an initial potential difference, which is the potential difference of each heating element 13, is acquired in advance in the initial value determination step of step S11. Also, in the identification step of step S16, the initial potential difference is compared with the potential difference of each heating element 13 acquired in the individual potential difference acquisition step of step S15. In the initial value determination step of step S11, for example, the ratio of the initial potential difference of each heating element 13 to the total initial potential difference of each heating element 13 is calculated. Also, in the individual potential difference acquisition step of step S15, for example, the ratio of the potential difference of each heating element 13 to the total potential difference of each heating element 13 is calculated.

[0042] In the identification step of step S16, a heating element 13 exhibiting an abnormality in potential difference is identified using a threshold determined based on the ratio of each heating element 13 calculated in the initial value determination step of step S11. The heating element 13 identified in the identification step of step S16 is notified by a notification means to the manager of the heating device 12 that it is a heating element 13 that needs replacement or repair. As the notification means, for example, an image display device can be used. Specifically, the manager of the heating device 12 can be easily notified by displaying a number assigned to each heating element 13 in advance or a symbol identifying the specific heating element 13 on a schematic diagram of each heating element 13 on the image display device.

[0043] As described above, the condition monitoring method makes it possible to identify heating elements 13 that need to be replaced or repaired based on, for example, signs of spark generation in heating elements 13, and therefore prevents heating elements 13 from breaking due to sparks. That is, it is possible to prevent fragments of heating element 13 that are generated when heating element 13 breaks from falling. This saves the effort of collecting the fragments of heating element 13. Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent fragments of heating element 13 from getting mixed in with molten glass MG, and therefore it is possible to avoid problems caused by fragments of heating element 13 getting mixed in with molten glass MG.

[0044] Furthermore, in the abnormality determination process of step S14, after determining whether there is an abnormality in either the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b, it is determined whether there is an abnormality in either the heating elements 13 included in the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b. Therefore, there is no need to constantly measure the potential difference of each individual heating element 13. This reduces the load on the state monitoring control unit 21.

[0045] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. (1) The heating device 12 includes a conductive path 14 in which a plurality of heating elements 13 are electrically connected in series, and a power source 15 that supplies electricity to the conductive path 14. The method for monitoring the condition of the heating device 12 includes a potential difference acquisition step (step S12) that acquires a potential difference in a conductive path portion including at least one heating element 13, and a monitoring information acquisition step (step S13) that acquires monitoring information for monitoring the condition of the heating elements 13. The method for monitoring the condition of the heating device 12 further includes an abnormality determination step (step S14) that determines an abnormality in the conductive path portion based on the monitoring information obtained in the monitoring information acquisition step of step S13.

[0046] The potential difference acquisition process of step S12 includes a first potential difference acquisition process of acquiring a first potential difference of the first conductive path portion 14a and a second potential difference acquisition process of acquiring a second potential difference of the second conductive path portion 14b different from the first conductive path portion 14a. The monitoring information of the monitoring information acquisition process of step S13 includes comparison information comparing each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference.

[0047] According to this method, the comparison information described above is acquired as monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition process of step S13. Therefore, a change in the state of the heating element 13 included in the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b can be recognized as a relative change between the first potential difference and the second potential difference. This makes it possible to easily recognize the change in the state of the heating element 13 included in the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b, even if the electrical resistance value of each heating element 13 changes over time as the temperature of the heating device 12 is controlled. Therefore, the state of the heating device 12, which includes multiple heating elements 13 electrically connected in series, can be appropriately monitored. Furthermore, in the abnormality determination process of step S14, an abnormality in the conductive path portion can be easily determined based on the comparison information acquired as monitoring information.

[0048] (2) Both the first conductive path portion 14a and the second conductive path portion 14b in the heating device 12 include a plurality of heating elements 13. In this case, in the monitoring information acquisition process of step S13, by acquiring monitoring information based on the potential difference of the conductive path portion including the plurality of heating elements 13, it is possible to avoid the monitoring information from becoming more complicated than acquiring monitoring information based on the potential difference of each individual heating element 13. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the burden of acquiring monitoring information for four or more heating elements 13 electrically connected in series.

[0049] (3) The abnormality determination step of step S14 determines whether either the first conductive path portion 14a or the second conductive path portion 14b is abnormal based on the comparison information obtained in the monitoring information acquisition step of step S13. The method for monitoring the condition of the heating device 12 further includes an individual potential difference acquisition step (step S15) for acquiring individual potential differences of each heating element 13 included in the conductive path portion determined to be abnormal in the abnormality determination step of step S14. The method for monitoring the condition of the heating device 12 further includes an identification step (step S16) for identifying heating elements 13 that require replacement or repair based on the potential differences of each heating element 13 acquired in the individual potential difference acquisition step of step S15. In this case, the work of replacing or repairing the heating elements 13 can be performed efficiently.

[0050] (4) In the abnormality determination step of step S14, it is preferable to determine whether or not there is a sign of spark generation in any of the heating elements 13 of the conductive path portion. In this case, it is possible to prevent breakage of the heating element 13 due to spark generation.

[0051] (5) In the abnormality determination process of step S14, it is preferable to determine whether the conductive path portion is abnormal by comparing initial comparison information obtained by comparing each initial potential difference, including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, with the comparison information obtained in the monitoring information acquisition process of step S13. In this case, it is possible to determine whether the conductive path portion is abnormal by taking into account differences in the initial performance of the heating elements 13 based on, for example, the tolerances of the individual heating elements 13. This makes it possible to further improve the accuracy of the abnormality determination.

[0052] (6) The heating device 12 is used for heating glass, which can reduce the maintenance work required for glass manufacturing equipment and improve the quality of the glass. (Example of change) This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0053] The initial value determination step of step S11 may be omitted. That is, in the abnormality determination step of step S14, predetermined threshold values ​​may be used instead of the ratios determined in the initial value determination step of step S11.

[0054] In the abnormality determination step of step S14, it is determined whether or not there is a sign of spark generation from the heating element 13, but it may be determined whether or not spark generation from the heating element 13 has occurred. The individual potential difference acquisition process of step S15 and the identification process of step S16 may be omitted, and, for example, if the second potential difference of the second conductive path portion 14b tends to increase relative to the first potential difference of the first conductive path portion 14a, all of the heating elements 13 of the second conductive path portion 14b may be replaced.

[0055] The number of heating elements 13 included in the first conductive path portion 14a may be one or more. The number of heating elements 13 included in the second conductive path portion 14b may also be one or more. The number of heating elements 13 included in the first conductive path portion 14a may be the same as or different from the number of heating elements 13 included in the second conductive path portion 14b.

[0056] The conductive path 14 of the heating device 12 is not limited to two conductive path portions, the first conductive path portion 14a and the second conductive path portion 14b, and may have three or more conductive path portions. For example, in the potential difference acquisition process of step S12, a third potential difference of a third conductive path portion may be further acquired, and the monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition process of step S13 may be comparison information comparing each potential difference including the first potential difference, the second potential difference, and the third potential difference.

[0057] The heating device 12 has one conductive path 14, but may be modified to have a heating device with multiple conductive paths. The monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition process in step S13 is comparison information obtained by directly comparing each potential difference, including the first potential difference and the second potential difference, but it may also be comparison information obtained by comparing converted values ​​obtained by converting the first potential difference and the second potential difference into other values.

[0058] The monitoring information obtained in step S13 may include, in addition to the comparison information of the potential differences, information such as the electrical resistance value of the heating element 13, the current value, and the cumulative usage time of the heating element 13.

[0059] The heating device 12 is not limited to a heating device 12 that heats glass in the melting furnace 16. For example, the heating device may be a device that heats molten glass in a channel or tank between the melting furnace 16 and the molding device, or any other device that heats molten glass at any location in a manufacturing device that produces glass articles. The heating device may also be a device that heats an object to be heated other than glass. Examples of objects to be heated other than glass include metals and ceramic raw materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 11...condition monitoring system, 12...heating device, 13...heating element, 14...conductive path, 14a...first conductive path section, 14b...second conductive path section, 15...power supply, 22...first potential difference acquisition section, 23...second potential difference acquisition section, 24...monitoring information acquisition section, 25...abnormality determination section.

Claims

1. A state monitoring method for a heating device including a conductive path in which a plurality of heating elements are electrically connected in series and a power source that supplies electricity to the conductive path, comprising: an initial value determination step of determining an initial value of a potential difference of a conductive path portion including at least one of the heat generating elements; a potential difference acquiring step of acquiring a potential difference of the conductive path portion; a monitoring information acquisition step of acquiring monitoring information that monitors the state of the heating element; an abnormality determination step of determining an abnormality in the conductive path portion based on the monitoring information obtained in the monitoring information acquisition step, The initial value determination step includes: acquiring a first initial potential difference of a first conduction path portion; acquiring a second initial potential difference of a second conductive path portion different from the first conductive path portion; The potential difference acquiring step includes a first potential difference acquiring step of acquiring a first potential difference of the first conductive path portion. a second potential difference acquiring step of acquiring a second potential difference of the second conductive path portion, The monitoring information in the monitoring information acquisition step includes initial comparison information obtained by comparing initial potential differences including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference; comparison information obtained by comparing each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference; In the abnormality determination step, the initial comparison information is compared with the comparison information to determine whether the conductive path portion is abnormal.

2. A method for monitoring the condition of a heating device as described in claim 1, wherein the heating device is used for heating glass.

3. The heating element is a resistive heating element having a heating portion that generates heat when electricity is applied, The method for monitoring a state of a heating device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abnormality in the conductive path portion is caused by wear and tear of the heat generating portion.

4. A status monitoring system for monitoring a status of a heating device including a conductive path in which a plurality of heating elements are electrically connected in series and a power source that supplies electricity to the conductive path, a potential difference acquiring unit that acquires a potential difference of a conductive path portion including at least one of the heat generating elements; a monitoring information acquisition unit that acquires monitoring information for monitoring the state of the heating element; an abnormality determination unit that determines an abnormality in the conductive path portion based on the monitoring information acquired by the monitoring information acquisition unit, the potential difference acquisition unit includes a first potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a first initial potential difference and a first potential difference of the first conductive path portion; a second potential difference acquisition unit that acquires a second initial potential difference and a second potential difference of a second conductive path portion different from the first conductive path portion, the monitoring information of the monitoring information acquisition unit includes initial comparison information obtained by comparing each initial potential difference including the first initial potential difference and the second initial potential difference, and comparison information of each potential difference including the first potential difference and the second potential difference, The abnormality determination unit determines whether the conductive path portion has an abnormality by comparing the initial comparison information with the comparison information.

Images