Strainer

Abstract

To provide a counter device for a strainer which easily grasps the number of total start-ups of a strainer, and can easily examine a replacement period of a life-limited component of the strainer and an inspection period based on the replacement period.SOLUTION: A counter device for a strainer includes a counter 22 for counting a discharge valve opening command for counting the number of opening commands of a discharge valve, when counting the number of start-ups of a strainer which includes at least a cylindrical strainer body having an inflow port of fluid, a cylindrical element for filtration provided in the strainer body, an outflow port provided in the strainer body for flowing out fluid after filtration by the element for filtration, a discharge pipe for discharging foreign matters accumulated therein through inside the element for filtration, and a discharge valve for opening / closing the discharge pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a strainer having a function of automatically cleaning a filtration element disposed inside a device In particular, this relates to a strainer that can count the number of times it is activated and manage the replacement timing of products with a limited lifespan.

Background Art

[0002] An automatic strainer for seawater includes a cylindrical strainer body having an inlet for seawater, a cylindrical filtration element provided inside the strainer body, an outlet provided in the strainer body for discharging the seawater filtered by the filtration element, a discharge pipe communicating with the inside of the filtration element for discharging foreign matter accumulated therein, and a brush or a scraper that is rotationally driven inside the filtration element by a motor to scrape off foreign matter adhering to the inner peripheral surface of the filtration element, and is configured to remove foreign matter such as shellfish contained in seawater (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Such an automatic seawater strainer has a periodic cleaning function of opening a discharge valve provided in the discharge pipe at predetermined time intervals set by a timer and rotationally driving a brush or a scraper by a motor in order to automatically clean the filtration element (screen), and when the differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet becomes a predetermined pressure or more due to the accumulation of foreign matter, similarly opens the discharge valve and has a cleaning function by differential pressure monitoring that rotationally drives a brush or a scraper by a motor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, while the number of operations based on differential pressure monitoring is managed by a counter that responds to a relay that activates when the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet exceeds a predetermined pressure, the number of operations triggered by the timer is not counted. Therefore, it was not possible to determine the total number of operations, including those triggered by the timer. Therefore, the lifespan of brushes, scrapers, etc., needs to be estimated based on the number of times the strainer is activated (the number of times the brushes or scrapers are moved). However, conventionally, it was not possible to determine the total number of times the strainer was activated. As a result, the number of activations since the installation date of the strainer was calculated from the activation cycle set by the timer, and then the replacement timing of consumable parts, which could be determined from this calculated number of activations, as well as the replacement cycle of the corrosion-resistant zinc plate installed inside the strainer (approximately 1 year), were taken into consideration when determining the inspection timing of the strainer, which was a very time-consuming process. In particular, if the setting of the strainer's activation cycle set by the timer was changed, the calculation of the number of activations became even more time-consuming.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and makes it possible to easily grasp the total number of times a strainer has been activated and to easily consider the replacement timing of strainers with limited lifespan and the inspection cycle based on that. Strainer The primary objective is to provide [this]. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention Strainer teeth, A cylindrical strainer body having a fluid inlet, A cylindrical filtration element provided inside the strainer body, The strainer body is provided with an outlet through which the fluid filtered by the filtration element flows out, A discharge pipe is provided that connects to the inside of the aforementioned filtration element and is used to discharge foreign matter accumulated therein. A discharge valve for opening and closing the aforementioned discharge pipe, A means for outputting an open command to the discharge valve when the differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure, Means for outputting an open command to the discharge valve at predetermined intervals, A limited-life product is arranged to be movable in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the filtration element, and by moving in the circumferential direction, scrapes off foreign matter adhering to the filtration element. Equipped with, A strainer that is activated in response to an open command to the discharge valve, opens the discharge valve, and moves the consumable part along the inner surface of the filtration element, A counter for counting the number of times an open command is issued to the aforementioned discharge valve, An alarm means that alerts the system to replace the limited-life part when the count value of the counter for counting the discharge valve opening command reaches a predetermined set value, It is characterized by having the following features.

[0008] Therefore, whether the strainer is activated by differential pressure monitoring or periodically by a timer, a command to open the discharge valve is issued when the strainer is activated. By installing a counter for counting these discharge valve open commands and reading the count of this counter, it is possible to determine the total number of times the strainer has been activated (number of activations due to differential pressure monitoring + number of activations due to the timer). As a result, it is possible to easily determine the replacement timing of consumable parts that need to be replaced based on the total number of times the strainer has been activated, using the count of the discharge valve open command counter.

[0009] Furthermore, since the system is equipped with an alarm mechanism that alerts the user to replace the limited-life part when the count value of the counter for counting the discharge valve opening command reaches a predetermined set value, there is no risk of forgetting when it is time to replace the limited-life part.

[0010] In addition, separate from the counter for counting the discharge valve opening command, there is a differential pressure activation counting counter that counts the number of times an opening command is issued to the discharge valve when the differential pressure between the inlet and outlet reaches a predetermined pressure or higher. You may do so. By providing such a differential pressure activation counter, it is possible not only to grasp the number of activations based on differential pressure monitoring, but also to easily determine the number of periodic activations by the timer from the difference between this number and the total number of activations that can be grasped from the discharge valve opening command counter. This makes it easy to adjust the activation interval by the timer according to the foreign matter capture status. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, the present invention Strainer According to the report, a counter for counting the number of times the discharge valve is opened is provided, and the total number of times the strainer is activated can be determined using this counter. By reading the count of this counter, the total number of times the strainer is activated (number of activations due to differential pressure monitoring + number of activations due to the timer) can be easily determined, and the lifespan of the strainer can be determined. Replacement time This makes it easier to consider inspection cycles and other related factors. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration example of a strainer according to the present invention, (a) is a side sectional view thereof, and (b) is a view seen axially from the drive motor side. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of a control panel of a seawater automatic strainer. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded connection diagram of an output unit of the seawater automatic strainer of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining control using the count value of a counter for a discharge valve opening command count.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a seawater automatic strainer. This seawater automatic strainer (hereinafter referred to as strainer 1) is a bucket-shaped strainer, a cylindrical strainer body 3 having an inlet 2 for seawater to flow in at one end side in the axial direction, a cylindrical filtering element 4 fixed inside the strainer body 3, an outlet 5 provided at the lower part of the outer peripheral wall of the strainer body 3 for the seawater to flow out after being filtered by the filtering element 4, a discharge pipe 6 connected so as to communicate with the inside of the filtering element 4 on the side opposite to the inlet 2 of the filtering element 4 for discharging foreign matters such as shellfish accumulated in the filtering element 4, and a drain pipe 7 connected to the lower part near the end on the side opposite to the inlet 2 of the strainer body 3.

[0015] The filtration element 4 is, for example, a cylindrically formed perforated plate and is fixed inside the strainer body 3. A rotating shaft 9, which is rotationally driven by a drive motor 8, is inserted inside the filtration element 4, and is positioned to be approximately aligned with the axis of the filtration element 4. By installing the filtration element 4 inside the strainer body 3, a filtration chamber 10 is provided between the strainer body 3 and the outer circumference of the filtration element 4, and the outlet 5 is in communication with this filtration chamber 10.

[0016] An arm 13, with a brush 11 or scraper 12 at its tip for scraping off foreign matter adhering to the inner circumference of the filtration element 4, is integrally attached to the rotating shaft 9. By driving the drive motor 8, which is located outside the strainer body 3, the rotating shaft 9 is rotated, causing the brush 11 or scraper 12 to move circumferentially along the inner surface of the filtration element 4.

[0017] Foreign matter such as shellfish in seawater, captured by the filtration element 4, is agitated by the brush 11 and scraper 12 and moved to the opposite side of the inlet 2 of the filtration element 4, where it is guided to the opening of the discharge pipe 6. A discharge valve 14 is provided in the middle of this discharge pipe 6, and by opening this discharge valve 14 in conjunction with the activation of the drive motor 8, the internal pressure of the strainer 1 is used to discharge the foreign matter through the discharge pipe 6. Therefore, whether or not the strainer 1 is activated corresponds to whether or not there is a command to open the discharge valve 14.

[0018] Furthermore, foreign matter such as shellfish that accumulates at the bottom of the strainer body 3 can be discharged through the drain pipe 7. A drain valve 15 is provided in the middle of this drain pipe 7, and by opening this drain valve 15, any foreign matter remaining in the strainer body 3 is discharged through the drain pipe 7.

[0019] Furthermore, a zinc plate (not shown) is installed inside the strainer 1 to act as a sacrificial electrode to prevent corrosion. The strainer 1 is also equipped with a differential pressure gauge 16 to measure the pressure difference between the inlet 2 and the outlet 5.

[0020] The drive commands for the drive motor 8, discharge valve 14, and drain valve 15 of the strainer 1 are issued by the output unit 30 shown in Figure 3, which is located on the control panel 20 shown in Figure 2.

[0021] In other words, the discharge valve 14 and drain valve 15 are normally closed, and open when the relays (CR11, CR12) 31, 32 that give an open command to the discharge valve 14 and drain valve 15 are turned ON. Furthermore, the drive motor 8 is normally stopped and rotates only when the electromagnetic switch (MS) 34, which gives an operation command to the drive motor 8, is turned ON.

[0022] The control panel 20 is equipped with various buttons and rotary switches for performing operations, and also includes a differential pressure activation counter 21 that counts the number of times the strainer is activated when the pressure difference between the inlet 2 and outlet 5 of the strainer 1 exceeds a predetermined pressure (when the value measured by the differential pressure gauge 16 exceeds a predetermined value), and a discharge valve opening command counter 22 that counts the number of times an opening command for the discharge valve 14 is issued.

[0023] The differential pressure activation counter 21 counts the number of times the differential pressure activation relay (CR13) 33, which issues an open command to the discharge valve 14 when the pressure difference between the inlet 2 and outlet 5 of the strainer 1 exceeds a predetermined pressure, operates (counts up in response to the ON operation of CR13), and is located on the surface of the control panel 20.

[0024] Furthermore, the discharge valve opening command counter 22 counts the number of times the relay (CR11) that gives an opening command to the discharge valve 14 in order to activate the strainer, regardless of whether the activation command is for when the pressure difference between the inlet 2 and outlet 5 of the strainer 1 exceeds a predetermined pressure, or for any other activation command (an activation command at a predetermined time or at predetermined time intervals by a timer). The counter 22 is located, for example, near the differential pressure activation counter 21 on the surface of the control panel 20. Furthermore, the output unit 30 also has functions to activate alarms such as fault indicators and buzzers in the event of a malfunction, as well as functions to set the operating interval and operating time of the strainer 1 and the operating interval and operating time of the drain.

[0025] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the output unit 30 also has a function to read the count value of the discharge valve opening command counter 22 (step 52) and to sound an alarm when this count value reaches a preset value, indicating that a part with a limited lifespan needs to be replaced (steps 54, 56). Here, the means of sounding an alarm could be to display an alarm on the control panel 20 indicating that a part with a limited lifespan needs to be replaced, or it could be to send an alarm email to the person in charge notifying them of the replacement of the part with a limited lifespan.

[0026] Therefore, with the above configuration, once the discharge valve open command counter 22 starts counting after the strainer 1 is installed, the discharge valve open command counter 22 counts the total number of times the strainer 1 is activated, which is the sum of the number of times the strainer 1 is activated by differential pressure monitoring and the number of times the strainer 1 is activated periodically by the timer. As a result, by reading the count value of the discharge valve open command counter, it is possible to easily determine when to replace consumable parts such as the brush 11 and scraper 12, and it becomes easier to plan the inspection timing of the strainer 1, taking into account the replacement cycle (approximately 1 year) of the corrosion-resistant zinc plate installed inside the strainer.

[0027] The lifespan of components such as the brushes 11 and scraper 12 of the strainer 1 depends on the total number of times the strainer 1 is activated. Therefore, if only the number of times the strainer is activated by differential pressure monitoring, as in the past, the number of times it is activated by the timer is disregarded, resulting in a large discrepancy between this number and the total number of times the strainer is activated. In particular, if the strainer 1 has a function to be cleaned at predetermined intervals by a timer, the opportunities for the strainer to be activated due to a rise in differential pressure are drastically reduced (because the strainer is activated by the timer before the differential pressure rises above a predetermined value, eliminating the opportunity for the strainer to be activated by differential pressure). As a result, even if only the number of times the strainer is activated by differential pressure is recorded, it becomes impossible to determine and manage inspection cycles and replacement cycles for parts with limited lifespans from the counter readings.

[0028] However, as in the present invention, by providing a counter for counting discharge valve open commands, which counts based on a signal (ON operation of the relay (CR11)) that gives an open command to the discharge valve 14, it becomes possible to grasp the total number of activations, which includes the number of activations due to differential pressure and the number of activations due to the timer. This makes it easier to consider inspection cycles and replacement timings for parts with a limited lifespan.

[0029] Furthermore, even if the timer setting for the activation cycle is changed, there is no need to recalculate the number of times strainer 1 is activated and, consequently, the inspection timing, based on the changed setting. Instead, it becomes easy to determine the replacement timing for consumable parts simply by reading the count value of the counter for counting discharge valve opening commands.

[0030] Furthermore, a differential pressure activation counter is also provided. By subtracting the value of the differential pressure activation counter from the value of the discharge valve opening command counter, it becomes easy to determine the number of timer activations. If the number of differential pressure activations is low, it becomes possible to reduce the number of cleaning cycles by extending the timer activation period, and to adjust the replacement timing of parts with limited lifespan.

[0031] Furthermore, in the example described above, an alarm mechanism is provided that alerts the user to replace a limited-life part when the count value of the counter for counting the discharge valve opening command reaches a predetermined set value, thus preventing users from forgetting when it is time to replace a limited-life part.

[0032] Although the above example describes an automatic seawater strainer, the same configuration can be used for any strainer that issues an open command to the discharge valve when the strainer is activated. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1. Automatic seawater strainer 2 Inlet 3. Strainer body 4 Filtration elements 5 Outlet 6 Discharge pipe 7. Drain pipe 8 motors 9 Rotation axis 11 brushes 12 Scrapers 14. Discharge valve 15 Drain valve 21 Differential pressure start counting counter 22 Counter for counting discharge valve opening commands

Claims

1. A cylindrical strainer body having a fluid inlet, A cylindrical filtration element provided inside the strainer body, The strainer body is provided with an outlet through which the fluid filtered by the filtration element flows out, A discharge pipe is provided that connects to the inside of the aforementioned filtration element and is used to discharge foreign matter accumulated therein. A discharge valve for opening and closing the aforementioned discharge pipe, A means for outputting an open command to the discharge valve when the differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet becomes greater than or equal to a predetermined pressure, Means for outputting an open command to the discharge valve at predetermined intervals, A limited-life product is arranged to be movable in the circumferential direction along the inner surface of the filtration element, and by moving in the circumferential direction, scrapes off foreign matter adhering to the filtration element. Equipped with, A strainer that is activated in response to an open command to the discharge valve, opens the discharge valve, and moves the consumable part along the inner surface of the filtration element, A counter for counting the number of times an open command is issued to the aforementioned discharge valve, An alarm means that alerts the system to replace the limited-life part when the count value of the counter for counting the discharge valve opening command reaches a predetermined set value, A strainer characterized by having the following features.

2. The strainer according to claim 1, further comprising a differential pressure activation counting counter that counts the number of times an opening command is issued to the discharge valve when the differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet becomes a predetermined pressure or higher, in addition to the counter for counting the discharge valve opening command.

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