SE2030344A1

SE2030344A1 - Stop valve arrangement

Info

Publication number: SE2030344A1
Application number: SE2030344A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Timo Risikko
Original assignee: Wet&Lock Oy
Priority date: 2019-12-12
Filing date: 2020-11-23
Publication date: 2021-06-13
Also published as: SE544088C2; FI128902B; NO345781B1; FI20197157A1; NO20201300A1

Abstract

Stop valve arrangement, which is arranged in connection of a fluid channel to detect and stop a fluid leakage in the channel or in an actuator or container connected to the channel. The stop valve arrangement comprises means for detecting (120) the leakage, triggering means (130) operatively connected to the leakage detection means for triggering feeding of gas, to the triggering means operatively connected gas feeding means for feeding and leading gas to a stop valve (110) comprised by the stop valve arrangement and means for closing (150) the stop valve closing the fluid channel by means of the gas lead from the gas feeding means (140).

Description

STOP VALVE ARRANGEMENT FIELD The present invention involves a stop valve arrangement for closing aﬂuid channel in a Ieakage situation.

BACKG ROUN D Leakage damages, such as water damages in households, causeannually substantial financial losses.

Plurality of different ways to detect and handle leakages are known.Some solutions are based on detection and indication of the Ieakage withoutclosing functionality. Solutions are also known, where, in addition to detection ofthe Ieakage, an attempt is made to close the Ieakage by means of ways based onelectronic control and closed electric circuit. The disadvantage of these solutionsis their complexity and dependence of feeding of electric energy.

Therefore, it is clear that there is a need to develop an improved solutionfor detection and prevention of Ieakage damages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION The purpose of the invention is to, at least partially, alleviate the above-mentioned problem. This object is achieved by an invention that is defined in theindependent claims. Some preferred embodiments have been disclosed in thedependent claims.

The invention provides the advantage that detection and stopping of theleakages are quick and reliable. The electricity-free solution according to theinvention is also significantly cheaper to implement than an electric stoppage arrangement.

FIGURES The invention and its advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the accompanying figures, where Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a stop valve arrangement accordingto the invention; andFigure 2 shows an advantageous embodiment of a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The embodiments re|ate to an arrangement and a method for c|osingfeeding of liquid in connection with a leakage associated with the liquid feedingsystem. Exampies of the liquid feeding system include, in this context, a waterfeeding system in a real estate or in an industrial plant or a fuel feeding system ina vehicle. The leakage situation may be associated, for example, to a breakage ofa pipe, hose, actuator or a container.

The embodiments re|ate to an arrangement having means for detectingthe leakage, means for triggering feeding of gas in consequence of the leakage,and a stop valve for c|osing liquid feeding by means of an actuator coupled to thegas feeding system.

Figure 1 illustrates, on a coarse level, device parts according to theembodiments of the invention. The figure shows a feeding channel usable forfeeding liquid, and a stop valve 110 mounted to the channel. The input portionleading to the input valve 110 has been designated by reference 100A, and theoutput portion has been designated by 100B. By means of the stop valve, the flowof the substance can be closed between the input and output portions. lt is obvious that the liquid feeding system includes other parts than theshown channel system 100A, 100B. A possible leakage in the feeding system canoccur either in the channel system or in an actuator coupled to the channel system,for instance, such as in an dishwasher, pump, tap, or the leakage can be causedby a drain congestion or the leakage can occur in a container, such as a pulpdigester that is connected to liquid feeding.

The embodiments also include a leakage detection apparatus 120 thatis arranged to detect leakage in the substance feeding system. The leakagedetection apparatus 120 can be separate from the substance feeding system 100and is necessarily not directly connected to the substance feeding system. For instance, in connection of a residential property, the Substance feeding systemmay refer to water feeding system whereby the Ieakage detection apparatus canbe positioned on the floor of the residential property to detect possible waterIeakages from the substance feeding system. lt is clear, that there may be one ormore Ieakage detection apparatuses per substance feeding system.

The Ieakage detection apparatus may include a device component thatloses its mechanical strength due to the influence of the substance. ln connectionwith detection of the Ieakage, the mentioned device component may comprise, forinstance, wood fibre pulp, starch, mineral, pulp, salt or some other similarsubstance that melts, dissolves or perishes under the effect of the liquid.

Figure 1 further shows the triggering device 130 of the protectionactivities, which triggering device is operatively connected to one or more Ieakagedetection devices 120. The triggering device 130 may comprise a spring element,for instance, which spring element may be of coil spring or arch spring type. ln thenormal state, the spring device is tensioned, whereby potential energy is storedtherein. The spring element is mechanically operatively connected to the devicecomponent that detects the Ieakage. This means that when the detection devicecomponent melts, gives way or dissolves due to the substance under detection,the spring and the potential energy stored therein release as kinetic energy of thespnng. lnstead of a spring, the triggering device may be based on magnetism,for instance, such that the detection device material may be arranged to keepmagnets having different polarity separated from each other, and when thematerial loses its mechanical strength, it allows the magnets to approach eachother by releasing kinetic energy to a lever connected to one of the magnets. ln one embodiment, the triggering device 130 comprises a triggeringarm operatively connected to the spring. The operative connection refers here tothat upon release of the potential energy of the spring, the triggering arm receiveskinetic energy either to the displacement direction of the spring, or to the oppositedirection.

The triggering arm may be a straight bar, for instance. ln oneembodiment, one end of the triggering arm may be designed as a pointed spike, which is arranged to puncture the shell of a gas container belonging to thearrangement in order to release gas from the container. Alternatively, instead of aspike puncturing the gas container, triggering can also take place such that thetriggering arm removes a locking pin or similar locking element from the pressurecontainer thus releasing feeding of the gas.

The stop valve arrangement according to the embodiments furthercomprises gas feeding means 140, which are operatively connected to thetriggering device 130 for releasing compressed air. The gas feeding means cancomprise a container having compressed air or carbon dioxide stored therein.

Use of carbon dioxide is especially preferable as carbon dioxide reactsless than air to temperature, whereby the pressure in the pressure container holdsbetter its stability enhancing the operational security of the device. ln the above-disclosed embodiment, where the triggering arm isdesigned as pointed from its other end, the arrangement is arranged to operatesuch that the triggering arm designed as pointed is arranged to puncture the shellof the gas container. Preferably, the shell of the gas container is made of metal toensure long-lasting operation and mechanical strength. ln another embodiment,the triggering arm is operatively connected to a valve or tap of the gas container inorder to release compressed air or carbon dioxide from the container.

According to the embodiments, the gas is thus not active in the channelsystem in the normal operational status of the device, which thus refers to asituation where the leakage has not yet been detected and stop activities have notyet been activated. This provides significant advantages in the endurance of thesystem as the gas, in this normal situation, does not cause stress to the gasfeeding channel system. The arrangement is also operationally more securebecause it is not dependent on continuous pressure supply, but in theembodiments the gas is provided only when the leakage occurs.

Furthermore, by the solution according to the embodiments forming ofcondensed water is avoided, which risk is present in a continuously pressurizedsystem. The condensed water, may convey, in a pressurized system, to the triggering element thus causing an erroneous triggering event.

Furthermore, in a continuously pressurized system, where the triggeringelement, such as salt or pulp element, which is continuously in connection withcompressed air, may absorb humidity from the compressed air. Thereby thetriggering element is prone to perishing and may not be able to hold compressedair and ensure tightness of the system. The triggering element may also petrify dueto the effect of humidity and heat, which has detrimental effects, and causesuncertainty to the melting time of the triggering element. ln the solution according to the embodiments, where the pressure isinitiated only after the detection of the leakage, there is no gas pressure on thetriggering element, and the above-mentioned problems can be avoided.

Figure 1 shows a compressed air channel 142 connected to thecompressed air supply means 140, to which compressed air channel thecompressed air is lead to. Preferably it has been ensured by sealing, for instance,that the gas discharged from the gas container cannot, at least substantially,discharge towards the triggering means, if the triggering means has beenimplemented as a spike puncturing the gas container.

Figure 1 also shows a stop actuator 150 for closing the stop valve 110.ln one embodiment, the stop actuator comprises a shutter arm that is arrangedmovable on the effect of the gas, which shutter arm is coupled to a tap belongingto the stop valve for turning the tap in a leakage situation. The embodiments arenot, however, limited to that the closing of the stop valve 110 is done with a stopactuator separate from stop valve, but the closing functionality can also beimplemented with device parts arranged within the stop valve and operable on theeffect of the gas released into the system.

Even though Figure 1 shows one detection device, one triggeringdevice, one gas provision means and one stop valve, plurality of variations can beformed out of these. lt can be arranged, for instance, such that one detectiondevice is connected to plurality of stop valves such that a leakage detected in onedetection device closes liquid feeding a several positions of the feeding system oreven in several separate feeding systems. Alternatively, it can be arranged suchthat there are several detection devices per one stop valve, whereby a leakagedetected in any of those closes the stop valve in question.

Figure 2 shows one preferred embodiment ofa method according to theembodiments. ln the initial step 200 of the method, there is arranged stoppageequipment in connection with a substance flow system in order to detect a Ieakagein the channel system of the flow system or in an actuator belonging to system.The equipment can also detect leakages on the floor that are caused by a drainblockage or rising of liquid level in an oil or pulp tank caused by a blockage. ln step 202, a Ieakage is detected in a flow system for a substance. TheIeakage can be detected, for instance, by a piece reacting with said substance.The piece can be, for instance, wood fiber -based material, such as pulp or paperpulp peeling off due to effect of liquid, or solid dissolving to liquid such as salt orsome similar chemical compound. ln step 204, the closing functionality is triggered due upon effect of thedetected Ieakage. The detection of the Ieakage according to step 202 and reactingto it such that the material used for detection loses its mechanical strength, canlead to release of potential energy of a spring operatively connected to thedetection material. As for the spring, there can be operatively connected an arm ora similar actuator, whereby the release of the potential energy of the spring causesalso movement of the arm. ln step 206, the movement of the spring/arm is utilized in releasing gas,such as compressed air from a compressed air container belonging to the system.ln one embodiment, the arm comprises a spike for breaking the shell of thecompressed air container and releasing compressed airfrom the aperture therebyformed. ln the embodiments, the compressed air is thus stored in a container untilit is needed due to the triggering actions. ln step 208, the released compressed air is lead along the compressedair channel. The compressed air channel can lead either to a stoppage actuator ordirectly to the stop valve. The stoppage actuator can comprise, for instance, apiston-type stoppage arm, which is arranged to move within the gas channel dueto the effect of the gas. The stoppage arm can be operatively connected to a tapportion of the stop valve for instance in such a way that the movement of the stoppage arm is arranged to close the stop valve. The stop valve can be, forinstance, a disc valve or a ball valve. ln a stop valve arrangement operating withoutexternal stoppage actuator, the stop valve can itself comprise a pneumaticstoppage member. ln step 210, the feeding of compressed air in the compressed airchannel leads to closing of the stop valve and feeding of the substance in thefeeding channel. lt is to be noticed that if the system has a liquid container and theleakage has been caused by a leakage in the container, the liquid channel to beclosed can either be a channel leading to the container or leaving the container, orboth channels can be closed. For instance, in a case of a fuel container it isessential to close the liquid channel leaving from the container, whereas in anindustrial plant it is essential to close the channel leading to the container.

The device and method disclosed in the embodiments are for single-use, that is, when the leakage has been detected and the stop activities have beenperformed, service activities need to carried on the equipment in order to make itagain functional. The service activities can include, for instance, replacing thematerial used for detection with a new corresponding material, tensioning thespring again, and changing or refilling the compressed air container. lt is clear, that when the technology develops the inventive idea can beimplemented in various ways. The invention and its embodiments are thus notlimited to the embodiments disclosed above but can vary in the scope of the patent claims.

Claims

1. Stop valve arrangement, which is arranged in connection of a fluidchannel to detect and stop a fluid Ieakage in the channel or in an actuator orcontainer connected to the channel, which stop valve arrangement comprisesmeans for detecting (120) the Ieakage, characterized in that the stop valvearrangement comprises triggering means (130) operatively connected to theIeakage detection means for triggering feeding of gas, which triggering means(130) comprises a tensioned spring element and the Ieakage detection means(120) are operatively connected to the spring element such that when the Ieakagedetection means (120) loses its mechanical strength, potential energy of thetensioning of the spring is arranged to be released, which stop valve arrangementfurther comprises to the triggering means operatively connected gas feedingmeans (140) for feeding and leading gas to a stop valve (110) comprised by thestop valve arrangement, and means for closing (150) the stop valve closing theﬂuid channel by means of the gas lead from the gas feeding means (140).

2. The stop valve arrangement according to claim, characterized in thatthe Ieakage detection means (120) comprises substance which loses itsmechanical strength by melting, dissolving or perishing under the effect of the ﬂuid.

3. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the triggering means (130) comprises a triggering armoperatively connected to the spring element for releasing gas from the gas feedingmeans (140).

4. The stop valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized inthat the triggering arm comprises a spike, and the gas feeding means (140)comprises a gas container, and the spike comprised by the triggering arm isarranged to puncture the gas container in order to release gas from the gas container.

5. The stop valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized inthat the gas feeding means (140) comprises a valve in connection of the gascontainer, and that the triggering arm is arranged to open the valve of the gascontainer to release gas from the gas container.

6. The stop valve arrangement according to claim 3, characterized inthat the gas feeding means (140) comprises a detachable stoppage member inconnection of the gas container, and that the triggering arm is arranged to detach said stoppage member to release gas from the gas container.

7. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the arrangement comprises a gas channel connected to the gas feeding means (140) for leading the released gas to the stop valve.

8. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the closing means (150) for closing the stop valve comprisesa piston moving on the effect ofthe gas, which piston is arranged to turn a stoppagemember of the stop valve for closing the stop valve.

9. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the gas comprises compressed air.

10. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the gas comprises carbon dioxide.

11. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the arrangement comprises a pulp container, a fuel or oilcontainer or other container for storing fluid substance, and the leakage detectionmeans (120) is arranged to detect a leakage situation is said container and to close a fluid channel leading to the container or leaving from the container.

12. The stop valve arrangement according to any preceding claim,characterized in that the arrangement comprises a real estate, the fluid channelis a water or drain pipe of the real estate, and that the Ieakage detection means(120) are arranged on the floor of the real estate to detect a Ieakage in a water or drain pipe.

13. A method to detect and stop a Ieakage in connection with a fluidchannel, characterized by detecting (202) the Ieakage by the help of a substance losing itsmechanical strength under the influence of the fluid, in consequence of whichtriggering (204) a tensioned spring, and triggering upon the detected Ieakagefeeding of gas into a gas feeding system, and opening (208) feeding of gas from agas container by the help of a triggering arm (206) connected to the spring, andstopping (210) fluid flow in said fluid channel by a stop valve by help of an actuatorconnected to the gas feeding system.