JPH0960800A - Gas leak detecting device for liquefied high-pressure gas container - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas leak detecting device capable of automatically and surely conducting an abnormality occurrence inspection and a trace gas leak inspection near the opening/closing valve of a gas container (product) after a fixed quantity of gas is filled. SOLUTION: An opening/closing valve 110 is airtightly covered with a test cup 1, and an abnormality detection section a3 detects a completely abnormal state that a crack occurs around the opening/closing valve 110 and a relatively large quantity of gas is leaked. When no abnormality is detected, the first control valve 6 is opened, and a trace gas leak detection section a4 detects the trace gas leak state caused by the loose fastening of the opening/closing valve 110, which rarely occurs primarily.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas leak detection device for automating the work of inspecting a gas leak from an opening / closing valve of a gas container filled with a liquefied high-pressure gas such as LP gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A gas container for LP gas is usually a container body.
A gas injection pipe 102 is provided on the top of 101, and a gas injection port 103 and a safety valve 104 are provided on the side faces thereof in a back-to-back manner, and a manual on-off valve for opening and closing the gas injection port on the top face of the gas injection pipe can be moved back and forth. And an on-off valve 110 provided in (see FIG. 4). On the other hand, the used gas container is, for example, previously proposed by the present applicant (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-93598, Japanese Patent Application No. 5-3).
No. 32122 etc.) is individually placed on a carry-in path (conveyor) that communicates with the gas filling machine, after quantitative filling by the gas filling machine, then carried out from a carry-out path (conveyor) that communicates with the gas filling machine. .

By the way, a gas container (that is, a product) filled with a fixed amount of gas is shipped after inspecting for a gas leak from an on-off valve. As shown in Fig. 4, gas leakage from the on-off valve is seat leakage (arrow a in the figure) that leaks from the gas inlet when the on-off valve is closed, and gas passes through the O-ring and the spindle and ground nut or ground nut. There is a possibility that it will occur at various places, such as back leakage that leaks between the gas injection pipe and the gas injection pipe (arrow B in the figure), neck leakage that leaks between the gas injection pipe and the gas container body (arrow C in the diagram). In addition, from a relatively large amount of gas leakage when a complete abnormality such as cracking occurs around the open / close valve to a small amount of gas leak that should not occur originally such as loose tightening of the open / close valve there is a possibility. Therefore, conventionally, this kind of inspection work has been performed by applying soap water, leak detection liquid, etc. around the open / close valve and visually confirming whether or not the film of the detection liquid swells, or by opening / closing the gas detector. A dedicated operator uses a device such as a buzzer to detect a gas leak near the valve, which is not only inefficient but also uncertain.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to perform a gas leak inspection from an opening / closing valve of a gas container after a fixed amount of filling by a manual operation. It is to provide a gas leak detection device that can be reliably performed without requiring.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the gas leakage detecting device of the present invention is, in claim 1, a clamp mechanism for holding a gas container carried in in an upright state at a predetermined position. And a test cup that is lifted and lowered by an elevating means just above the opening / closing valve of the gas container held by the clamp mechanism, and covers the opening / closing valve in an airtight manner at the lowered position, and both end openings become upper ends. A substantially U-shaped tube, which is installed and accommodates a predetermined amount of liquid in a front view, is provided. The inside of the test cup and one end opening of the substantially U-shaped tube are connected by a hose, and the substantially U-shaped tube is connected. The liquid level detection means is provided to detect that the liquid in the pipe has moved toward the open end of the other end of the pipe to form a minute leak detection unit, while an abnormal pressure is generated in the test cup in the middle of the hose. Difference that detects that A detection unit is provided, and a first control valve is provided between the abnormality detection unit and the substantially U-shaped pipe to connect the test cup and the substantially U-shaped pipe when no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit. It is characterized by

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tank for accommodating the liquid to be supplied to the substantially U-shaped tube, the tank being installed adjacent to the same so as to be able to move up and down, and the bottom of the tank and the substantially U-shaped tube. A communication pipe communicating the lower end portion with a second pipe provided in the middle of the communication pipe
A control valve, a water level sensor that detects that the water level in the tank is at a reference level set below the water level detection level by the water level detection means, and the tank is moved up and down to reach the reference level. Second to raise and lower
An elevating means, and when the first control valve is closed, the second control valve is opened to communicate the substantially U-shaped pipe with the tank,
In this state, a standard water level recovery mechanism for vertically moving the tank to match the water level of the liquid in the substantially U-shaped pipe with the standard level is provided.

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, a third control valve provided in communication with the inside of the test cup is provided, and the third control valve is opened for a predetermined time immediately after the opening / closing valve is covered with the test cup. It is characterized by being provided with a malfunction preventing mechanism for maintaining the inside of the test cup at atmospheric pressure. In addition, in the present invention, a substantially U-shaped tube in a front view (substantially U-shaped tube) refers to a liquid column meter (manometer) made of a transparent or opaque tube body, and its front-view shape is a U-shaped, It includes well-known shapes such as a V shape.

According to the above means, there are the following effects. (Claim 1) The on-off valve of the gas container held by the clamp mechanism is covered with the test cup lowered by the operation of the elevating means to cover it in an airtight manner. In this state, if some abnormality occurs around the open / close valve and a relatively large amount of gas leaks from the open / close valve, the pressure inside the test cup becomes abnormal pressure, which is detected by the abnormality detecting unit. When there is no abnormality in the on-off valve (when there is no relatively large amount of gas leakage), no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit, at which time the first control valve opens and the test cup communicates with the approximately U-shaped tube. However, in this state, if there is a slight gas leak due to an abnormality such as loosening of the open / close valve, the liquid in the approximately U-shaped pipe moves toward the open end of the other end of the pipe, and the water level detection means detects this. Detect a small amount of gas leakage.

(Claim 2) The second control valve is opened to bring the tank and the substantially U-shaped pipe into communication with each other so that the water level in the tank and the water level in the substantially U-shaped pipe coincide with each other. By operating the elevating means, the water level in the tank is positioned at the reference level so that the water level in the substantially U-shaped pipe is always maintained at the reference level.

(Claim 3) Immediately after the on-off valve is covered with the test cup, the third control valve is opened to maintain the inside of the test cup at atmospheric pressure to prevent malfunction of the abnormality detection unit and the minute leak detection unit. To do.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention.
~ It demonstrates with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing the overall structure of a gas leak detection apparatus A of the present invention, showing a state during gas leak inspection (during operation), FIG. 2 showing a state before inspection (before clamping), and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view around the test cup in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view around the open / close valve in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 shows a gas filling device including the detection device A of the present invention. That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a liquefied high-pressure gas container (hereinafter simply referred to as “gas container”) 100
An example is shown in which the gas leak detection device A is disposed in the middle of the carry-out path D for carrying out the gas from the rotary gas filling machine B. The rotary gas filling machine B is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-
As described in Japanese Patent Application No. 93598, Japanese Patent Application No. 5-332122, etc., a gas container 100 carried in from a carry-in path C was equipped with devices for filling a predetermined amount of gas on a disc-shaped turntable B ₁ . It is structured. In the figure, E,
F is a weighing unit provided at a predetermined position of the carry-in path C and the carry-out path D,
The measuring unit E calculates the amount of gas filling required to fully fill each gas container 100, and the measuring unit F checks the weight (gas filling amount) of the filled gas container 100. There is.

As described in the section of the prior art for the gas container 100, a gas injection pipe 102 is provided on the top of the container body 101, and a gas injection port 103 and a safety valve 104 are provided on the side faces thereof in a back-to-back manner. Further, an opening / closing valve 110 formed by screwing a manual opening / closing valve 105 for opening / closing the gas injection port 103 on the upper end of the gas injection pipe 102 so as to be able to move forward and backward is provided. Also this kind of gas container
100 is usually a large type with a capacity of about 50 kg,
There is a small type with a capacity of about 20 kg.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the carry-in path C and the carry-out path D for carrying the gas container 100 are roller conveyors having a plurality of carrying rollers 201 arranged side by side to form a carrying path surface 200. At the position corresponding to the gas leak detection device A on the road D, the receiving leg 203 lifted by the two pairs of cylinders 202,
Arranged so as to project upward from between the transfer rollers 201,
When a detection sensor (not shown) detects the gas container 100 reaching the detection device A, the cylinder 202 operates and the receiving leg is received.
203 is projected from above the transfer roller 201 to lift the gas container 100 (state of FIG. 1), so that the gas container 100 can be temporarily stopped regardless of the movement of the transfer road surface 200. There is.

The gas leak detection device A includes a clamp mechanism a for holding a gas container 100 supported by a receiving leg 203.
1. A test cup 1 supported by an elevating means a2 at a position directly above an opening / closing valve 110 of a gas container 100 held by the clamp mechanism a1 so as to be able to move up and down; A U-shaped transparent tube (hereinafter, referred to as “substantially U-shaped tube”) 3, a hose 4 that connects the test cup 1 and the substantially U-shaped tube 3 to each other, a safety device 5, which is arranged at an intermediate portion of the hose 4. The first control valve 6, the detector 7 for detecting the opening of the safety valve constituting the safety device 5, the liquid 2 in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 has moved toward the other end opening 3b of the tube 3. A water level detecting means 8 for detecting the water level, a control section 9 for controlling the operation of each component of the detecting device A as described later, and the like,
The safety device 5 and the detector 7 constitute an abnormality detecting portion a3, and the substantially U-shaped tube 3, the first control valve 6, and the water level detecting means 8 are provided.
Constitutes a minute leak detection section a4.

Further, the gas leakage detection device A has a substantially U-shaped tube 3
A tank 10 that is vertically movable up and down, a connecting pipe 11 arranged to connect the bottom portion of the tank 10 to the lower end portion of the substantially U-shaped pipe 3, and a connecting pipe 11 provided in the middle of the connecting pipe 11. The second control valve 12 and the water level sensor 1 provided in the tank 10.
3. The reference water level recovery mechanism a5 of the minute leak detection unit a4 is constituted by the second elevating means 14 for elevating and lowering the tank 10 and the third control valve 15 is provided in communication with the inside of the test cup 1 to prevent an error. The operation prevention mechanism a6 is configured.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the clamp mechanism a1 has a pair of clamp arms 20 arranged so as to face each other so as to sandwich a portion near the lower end of the gas container 100 lifted by the cylinder 202 from both left and right sides. In addition, the base ends of the link rods 21 connected to the respective base ends of the clamp arms 20 are rotatably rotatably supported, and the rod 23 connected to the shaft support 22 is connected to a driving means such as a cylinder. (Shown in the drawing), the rod 23 moves up and down by the operation of the driving means, and the two clamp arms 20 are connected to the tip clamp portion 24 of the rod 23.
The gas container 100 is configured to be held by the clamp portions 24 by rotating in a direction in which they come into contact with and separate from each other. FIG. 1 shows the holding state of the gas container 100 by the clamp mechanism a1, and FIG. 2 shows the opened state.

The elevating means a2 is for elevating the test cup 1 up and down to adjust and set the position of the test cup 1 to a predetermined value, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the first cylinder 30 for the main adjustment thereof. And a second cylinder 40 for fine adjustment. The first cylinder 30 is configured by a cell lock cylinder in which an upper substrate 32 is fixed to the upper ends of columns 31 standing upright on the side of the carry-out path D and the upper surface of the upper substrate 32 stands upright. Further, two linear shafts 34, which are left and right, are vertically provided between the lower substrate 33 and the upper substrate 32, which are fixed to the side surface of the column 31 at a predetermined height position.
The first plate 36 is horizontally supported by the linear bushes 35 that are vertically inserted into the four cylinders 4, and the rod 30a of the first cylinder 30 is connected to the first plate 36.
The operation of the first cylinder 30 causes the first plate 36 to move up and down. Further, a support rod 37 is vertically provided on the lower surface of the first plate 36, and a first micro switch 38 is provided at the lower end of the support rod 37. When the micro switch 38 comes into contact with the top surface of the gas container 100, The operation of one cylinder 30 is stopped to support the first plate 36 at a predetermined height position, the operation of the second cylinder 40 is subsequently started, and the second plate 41 described below is lowered.

The second cylinder 40 is composed of a cylinder erected on the upper surface of the first plate 36. A second plate 41 is horizontally fixed to the end of the rod 40a of the second cylinder 40, and a horizontal shaft 43 is provided at the lower end of each vertical shaft 42 vertically movably provided on the left and right sides of the second plate 41.
And the inner ends of both horizontal shafts 43 are fixed to the peripheral surface of the test cup 1 to support the test cup 1 between the lower ends of both vertical shafts 42 in a suspended manner. Further, a spring 44 is provided between the second plate 41 and the lower end of each vertical shaft 42, and
2 (test cup 1) is always biased downward. Further, a second micro switch 45 is provided in the middle height portion of the support rod 37 described above, the second plate 41 is lowered by the operation of the second cylinder 40, and the test cup 1 which is lowered integrally with the second plate 41 hermetically seals the opening / closing valve 110. The second plate 41 comes into contact with the second micro-switch 45 when it is covered with the second cylinder 40 so that the operation of the second cylinder 40 is stopped.

The test cup 1 is made of a desired synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate and has an inverted cup shape with an opening on the lower surface as shown in FIG. 4, and the open / close valve 110 is covered from the top over its entire height. The surroundings are formed so as to be airtight. Lower surface opening 1a of test cup 1
A packing 1b made of rubber or the like is provided around the opening edge of the packing 1, and the packing 1b serves as a cushion when covering the opening / closing valve 110, and the airtightness when the opening / closing valve 110 is covered with the test cup 1 To be held securely. Further, the test cup 1 is supported by the elevating means a2 by connecting the above-mentioned horizontal shafts 43 to the left and right side surfaces, and is supported by the first cylinder 30 and the first micro switch 38.
The height of the open / close valve 11 is adjusted by the operation of
0 is covered over the entire height, and the height is finely adjusted by the operation of the second cylinder 40 and the second micro switch 45 so that the opening / closing valve 110 is covered in an airtight manner.

The first ventilation hole 1 is provided on the front side of the test cup 1.
c is penetrated and opened to connect one end 4a of the hose 4, and an abnormality detection part a3 is formed in the middle of the hose 4.
A small amount of leak detecting portion a4 is formed on the other end 4b side of the hose 4 so as to detect an abnormality and a small amount of leak which will be described later. The hose 4 is a flexible hose made of a desired synthetic resin or the like, and a portion from one end 4a thereof to a front side where the safety device 5 is disposed is disposed so as to be able to move up and down integrally with the test cup 1, and From the installation location of the safety device 5 to the other end 4b, the safety device 5 and the first control valve 6 are installed immovably so that they can be installed. Further, on the upper surface side of the test cup 1, the second vent hole 1d is penetrated and opened to connect the one end 50a of the second hose 50, and the third control valve 15 is provided in the middle of the second hose 50. , Which will be described later, constitutes a malfunction prevention mechanism a6.

The abnormality detecting section a3 comprises a safety device 5 provided in the middle of the hose 4, and a detector 7 for detecting the operation of the safety device 5. In the safety device 5, the ventilation amount in the hose 4 is equal to or higher than a certain pressure (for example, the blowing pressure is 200 to 300 mmH
₂ O or more) and a safety valve that opens when the open / close valve 110 is airtightly covered by the test cup 1 or its surroundings and some abnormality occurs. When there is a relatively large amount of gas leakage, that is, when a complete abnormality occurs and the pressure inside the test cup 1 becomes abnormal, the safety valve is opened to release the leaked gas to the outside. The detector 7 is
The sensor is configured to detect that the safety valve is opened and the leaked gas is released to the outside, and the detection signal is sent to the control unit 9. Upon receiving the detection signal from the detector 7, the control unit 9 activates the notifying means (not shown) to activate the abnormality detection unit a3.
The abnormality is detected in (2), in other words, a complete abnormality has occurred in which a relatively large amount of gas has leaked due to cracks or the like in or around the on-off valve 110.

The minute leak detection portion a4 is the other end 4 of the hose 4.
substantially U-shaped tube 3, substantially U-shaped tube 3 and safety device 5 connected to b
It is composed of a first control valve 6 provided between and a water level detecting means 8 provided in the substantially U-shaped pipe 3.

The substantially U-shaped tube 3 is a manometer made of a transparent U-shaped transparent tube body made of transparent synthetic resin, transparent glass or the like, and contains a predetermined amount of the liquid 2 such as antifreezing liquid therein. Then, the both ends openings 3a and 3b are installed at predetermined positions so as to be the upper ends. In the present embodiment, the float 55 is vertically movably inserted into the half portion 3-1 of the substantially U-shaped tube 3,
Water level 2a of liquid 2 and float 55 in the other half 3-2
The upper end 55a of each of them is positioned at the same level. If the liquid 2 is colored, the float 55 is not necessary. In that case, although not shown, the water level of the liquid 2 in one half 3-1 of the substantially U-shaped tube 3 and the other half 3-2. It goes without saying that the water level 2a of the liquid 2 is located at the same level.
Further, when the water level detection means 8 described later is of a type that employs a contact type water level detection sensor or the like instead of the transmissive optical sensor, the substantially U-shaped tube 3 does not need to be transparent, and It is not necessary to color the liquid 2. Connect the other end 4b of the hose 4 to the one end opening 3a of the substantially U-shaped tube 3,
The inside of the substantially U-shaped tube 3 and the inside of the test cup 1 are connected via a hose 4. The other end opening 3b of the substantially U-shaped pipe 3 is an open end, and an overflow prevention tank 58 having an opening 57 is connected to the open portion 3b via a pipe 56.

The first control valve 6 is provided between the substantially U-shaped tube 3 of the hose 4 and the safety device 5. The operation of the first control valve 6 is controlled by the control unit 9 so that the first control valve 6 is opened for a predetermined time when no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit a3.

The water level detecting means 8 comprises a pair of transmissive optical sensors 8a and 8b arranged so as to sandwich the half part 3-1 of the substantially U-shaped tube 3 from both sides, and the water level on the half part 3-1 side. Float 55 rises and both sensors 8a, 8b
The spaces are cut off, so that the liquid 2 in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 moves in the direction of the open end 3b of the substantially U-shaped tube 3 (one-half portion 3-1).
It is configured to detect that the water level on the side has risen) and to send the detection signal to the control unit 9. As mentioned above,
The water level detecting means 8 is not limited to a transmissive optical sensor, and the liquid 2 in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 is opened by the open end 3b.
A well-known water level detection sensor capable of detecting movement in the direction may be provided. The control unit 9 which receives the detection signal from the water level detection unit 8 operates the notifying unit (not shown) to detect that a small amount of gas leakage has been detected in the small amount leakage detection unit a4, in other words, the opening / closing valve 110. Notify that there is a slight gas leak that should not occur, such as loose tightening.

The amount of the liquid 2 contained in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 is
The upper end (water level of the half part 3-1) 55a of the float 55 is
The amount is located at a reference level X set several mm below the detection level of the water level detection means 8. Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the tank 10, the connecting pipe 11, the second control valve 12, the water level sensor 13, the second elevating means 14 and the like are equipped to adjust the amount of the liquid 2 in the substantially U-shaped pipe 3. A reference water level recovery mechanism a5 for constantly maintaining the above amount is configured.

The tank 10 contains a predetermined amount of liquid 2'for supplying it to the substantially U-shaped tube 3, and has a replenishing port 1 on its upper surface.
0a and the insertion hole 10b, and is installed at a predetermined position adjacent to the substantially U-shaped tube 3 via the second elevating means 14 so as to be able to move up and down. A through hole 10c is opened in the bottom of the tank 10 to connect one end of the connecting pipe 11, and the other end of the connecting pipe 11 is connected to a through hole 3c opened in the lower end of the substantially U-shaped pipe 3. Then, the inside of the tank 10 and the inside of the substantially U-shaped pipe 3 are communicated with each other through the communication pipe 11. A second control valve 12 is provided in the middle of the connecting pipe 11, and the second control valve 12 opens when the first control valve 6 described above is in the closed state, and the first control valve 6 opens. The operation is controlled by the control unit 9 so as to close the valve when in the valve state.

The water level sensor 13 is composed of a well-known level detecting sensor vertically provided at the tip of a horizontal support rod 61 projecting from a wall surface 60 for vertically supporting the tank 10. The vertical shaft portion 13a of the water level sensor 13 has an insertion hole 10b of the tank 10. While inserting into
The detection portion 13b at the lower end of the shaft portion 13a is set to the same level as the reference level X described above, whereby it is detected that the water level of the liquid 2'in the tank 10 is at the same level as the reference level X, and The detection signal is sent to the control unit 9.

The second elevating means 14 has upper and lower bearings 62 projecting from the wall surface 60, rotatably supports a screw shaft 63 by means of both bearings 62, and further rotates the screw shaft 63 forward and backward. A rotary motor 64 is provided,
Further, a ball screw 65 that moves up and down as the screw shaft 63 rotates is fitted to the screw shaft 63, and the ball screw 65 is fixed to the side surface of the tank 10. Then, with the second control valve 12 open, the water level of the liquid 2 ′ in the tank 10 (that is, the float 55 in the substantially U-shaped pipe 3).
It is detected by the water level sensor 13 whether or not the position of the upper end 55a of the tank is at the reference level X described above.
Is moved up and down to position the water level in the tank 10 at the reference level X, whereby the upper end 55a of the float 55 is set to the reference level X.

A detector 66 is provided on the side surface of the tank 10, and a low limit switch 67 for detecting the replenishment water level and an upper limit 68 for detecting the full water level are provided on the wall surface 60. Then, the liquid 2'in the tank 10 decreases, the water level reaches near the bottom wall of the tank 10, and when the tank 10 continues to rise accordingly, the detector 66 contacts the low limit switch 67 and the control unit. A detection signal is sent to 9, and a notification unit (not shown) via the control unit 9 notifies that the liquid 2'in the tank 10 is in a replenishing state. When the notification is given, the liquid 2'is replenished from the replenishment port 10a through an artificial means or an automatic supply device (not shown). At this time, the liquid 2'in the tank 10 increases and the water level thereof increases. 10 When the tank 10 reaches near the upper wall and the tank 10 continues to descend along with this, the detector 66 contacts the upper limit switch 68 and a detection signal is sent to the control unit 9, and a notifying means (not shown) is sent via the control unit 9. Due to
It is configured to notify that the liquid 2'in the tank 10 is full.

Further, in this embodiment, as described above, the second hose 50 and the third control valve 15 are provided and the malfunction preventing mechanism a is provided.
6. The second hose 50 is the test cup 1
One end 50a is connected to the second ventilation hole 1d provided on the upper surface and communicates with the inside of the test cup 1, the other end 50b is an open end, and a third control valve 15 is provided in the middle. After the second micro switch 45 detects that the test cup 1 covers the on-off valve 110 in an airtight manner, the third control valve 15
The operation is controlled by the controller 9 so that the pressure in the test cup 1 is maintained at about the same level as the atmospheric pressure by opening the valve for a predetermined time.

The control unit 9 includes the above-mentioned clamp mechanism a1,
Elevating means a2, abnormality detection unit a3, minute leakage detection unit a4
The constituent elements such as the reference water level recovery mechanism a5, the malfunction prevention mechanism a6, and the notification means (not shown) are electrically connected to control the operation of these constituent elements as described above.

Hereinafter, the operation of the gas leak detection device A having the above-described configuration will be described together with the control by the control unit 9.
Gas container 100 filled with a predetermined amount of gas in the gas filling machine B
Is transported upright by the carry-out path D, lifted up by the receiving leg 203 at a position corresponding to the gas leak detection device A, and then held by the clamp mechanism a1.

Next, the first cylinder 30 is activated to operate the first cylinder.
The second cylinder 40 and the test cup 1 are lowered integrally with the plate 36, and when the test cup 1 covers the opening / closing valve 110, the first micro switch 38 comes into contact with the top surface of the gas container 100 to operate the first cylinder 30. Stop, the second cylinder 40 starts to operate, the test cup 1 descends integrally with the second plate 41, and when the test cup 1 covers the on-off valve 110 in an airtight manner, the second plate 41 moves to the first position. The operation of the second cylinder 40 is stopped by contacting the two microswitches 45. When the operation of the second cylinder 40 is stopped, the third control valve 15 is opened for a predetermined time (several seconds), the inside of the test cup 1 is maintained at a state almost equal to the atmospheric pressure, and a test is performed when the on-off valve 110 is covered. The malfunction detection unit a3 and the minute leak detection unit a4 are prevented from malfunctioning when the pressure inside the cup 1 becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure.

After a lapse of a predetermined time, the third control valve 15 is closed and the abnormality detection section a3 starts detecting an abnormality. At this time, the first control valve 6 is closed. In this state, an abnormality occurs in the on / off valve 110 or its surroundings,
Relatively large amount from around 110 (In this example, the blowing pressure is 200
When the test cup 1 has an abnormal pressure due to gas leakage (up to 300 mmH ₂ O or more), the safety valve of the safety device 5 opens to release the leaked gas to the outside, and the detector 7 controls the detection signal to the control unit. Send to 9. Upon receiving the detection signal, the control unit 9 activates a notifying means (not shown) to notify that the abnormality is detected.

On the other hand, while the first control valve 6 is closed, the reference water level recovery mechanism a5 operates to perform the water level recovery work in the substantially U-shaped pipe 3. That is, when the first control valve 6 is closed, the second control valve 12 is open. In this state, the inside of the tank 10 and the inside of the substantially U-shaped pipe 3 communicate with each other, and the substantially U-shaped pipe 3
The liquid level of the liquid 2 inside and the water level of the liquid 2'in the tank 10 are at the same level. At this time, if the liquid 2 in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 is evaporated due to the environment of the installation site of the device A or long-term use, and the water level is below the initially set reference level X,
The water level sensor 13 detects that the water level in the tank 10 is at the same level as that, and the motor 64
Is activated to raise the tank 10, and when the water level in the tank 10 reaches the detection portion 13b of the water level sensor 13, approximately U
The water level (position of the float upper end 55a) in the character tube 3 is restored to the reference level X. Therefore, the water level in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 is always maintained at the reference level X, and the minute leak detection unit a described later is used.
The detection work in 4 can always be performed with high accuracy.

If no abnormality has occurred in the opening / closing valve 110 or its surroundings, no abnormality is detected in the abnormality detecting section a3 even after a lapse of a predetermined time after the third control valve 15 is closed. The valve 6 opens and the minute leak detection portion a4
The detection of a small amount of gas leakage due to is started. At this time, the second control valve 12 is closed. In this state, open / close valve 11
If there is a slight amount of gas leakage (in this example, a blowing pressure of 200 mmH ₂ O or less) due to an abnormal condition that should not occur, such as 0 loosening, the liquid 2 in the substantially U-shaped tube 3 moves toward the other end opening portion 3b. Then, the float 55 rises, and the water level detecting means 8 detects this and sends a detection signal to the control section 9. Receiving the detection signal, the control unit 9 operates a notifying means (not shown) to notify that a small amount of gas leakage has been detected.

After a lapse of a predetermined time from opening the first control valve 6, the first control valve 6 is closed and the second control valve 12 is opened, and the elevating means a2 is further operated to set the test cup 1 at the initial position (Fig. Return to the position 2). Then, the clamp mechanism a1 is operated to open the gas container 100, and the cylinder 202 is operated to return the gas container 100 to the transport road surface 200. The gas container 100 ′ in which the abnormality detection or the minute amount of gas leakage is detected in the abnormality detection unit a3 or the minute amount of leak detection unit a4 is carried out from the branch path D ′ provided on the downstream side of the detection device A in the carry-out path D to detect the abnormality. Alternatively, the gas container 100 in which a slight gas leak is not detected is carried out through the carry-out path D.

When the second control valve 12 is closed, the reference water level recovery mechanism a5 operates as described above, but the tank 10
When the tank 10 continues to rise as the amount of the liquid 2'in the liquid decreases, the detector 66 contacts the low limit switch 67 and a detection signal is sent to the control unit 9. To inform. When the notification is made, the liquid 2'is replenished through an artificial means or an automatic supply device (not shown), but with the replenishment, the water level in the tank 10 rises and the tank 10 continues to descend. Is contacted with the upper limit switch 68 and a detection signal is sent to the control unit 9, and a notifying means (not shown) notifies the full state.

[0040]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following advantages. (Claim 1) The on-off valve is covered with a test cup in an airtight manner so that gas leakage can be detected by checking the ventilation state in the hose connected to the test cup, and some abnormality occurs around the on-off valve to open and close. After conducting an inspection of the abnormal state where a relatively large amount of gas leaks from the valve at the abnormality detection unit, if there is no abnormal state, the minute leak detection unit performs a small amount of gas leakage inspection. Abnormalities such as leaks, back leaks, neck leaks, etc., and a completely abnormal state where a relatively large amount of gas leaks occur, and a slight amount of gas leaks due to loosening of the on-off valve. It is possible to reliably respond to a wide range of gas leaks up to the state, and to visually check whether the film swells by applying the detection liquid, or close the open / close valve with the gas detector to prevent gas leaks. With equal or greater accuracy and conventional artificial means such detected by Heather like,
It is possible to automatically and efficiently detect abnormalities and gas leaks.

(Claim 2) The water level in the substantially U-shaped pipe is always maintained at the reference level by the operation of the reference water level recovery mechanism, and the accuracy of the minute leak detection in the minute leak detection unit is improved to further improve the above-mentioned effect. It is effective and contributes to improving the reliability of the device.

(Claim 3) When the inside of the test cup covering the on-off valve is in a high pressure state, it is possible to prevent the malfunction detecting unit and the minute leak detecting unit from malfunctioning, especially in the minute leak detecting unit. The accuracy of gas leak detection is improved, the above-mentioned effects are made more effective, and the reliability of the apparatus is improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a gas leak detection apparatus according to the present invention, showing a state during inspection (during operation).

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing a state before inspection (before clamping) of the device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a plan view schematically showing an example of a gas filling device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 a1: Clamp mechanism a2: Elevating means a3: Abnormality detection part a4: Small amount leakage detection part a5: Standard water level recovery mechanism a6: Malfunction prevention mechanism 1: Test cup 2: Liquid 3: Almost U-shaped tube 4: Hose 5: Safety device 6: First control valve 7: Detector 8: Water level detection means 9: Control part 10: Tank 11: Communication pipe 12: Second control valve 13: Water level sensor 14: Second elevating means 15: Third control valve

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A clamp mechanism for holding a gas container carried in in an upright state at a predetermined position and a gas container held by the clamp mechanism so as to be lifted and lowered by an elevating means directly above an opening / closing valve. The test cup is provided with a test cup that covers the on-off valve in an airtight manner in a lowered position, and a tube having a substantially U-shape in a front view, which is installed so that openings at both ends are upper ends and accommodates a predetermined amount of liquid therein. And a water level detecting means for detecting that the liquid in the substantially U-shaped pipe has moved toward the other end opening portion of the pipe while communicating the inside of the pipe with the one end opening of the substantially U-shaped pipe by a hose. While constituting a small amount leak detection section, an abnormality detection section for detecting an abnormal pressure in the test cup is provided in the middle of the hose, and between the abnormality detection section and the substantially U-shaped tube. The abnormality detection by the abnormality detection unit is A gas leak detection device for a liquefied high-pressure gas container, comprising a first control valve that allows the test cup and the substantially U-shaped tube to communicate with each other when not present. 2. A tank, which accommodates the liquid to be supplied to the substantially U-shaped tube and is installed vertically adjacent to the same and is vertically movable, communicates the bottom of the tank with the lower end of the substantially U-shaped tube. A connecting pipe, a second control valve provided in the middle of the connecting pipe, and a water level sensor for detecting that the water level in the tank is at a reference level set below the water level detection level by the water level detecting means. A second elevating means for elevating and lowering the water level in the tank to the reference level as much as possible, and opening the second control valve when the first control valve is closed to form a substantially U-shaped pipe. 2. The liquefied high pressure according to claim 1, further comprising a reference water level recovery mechanism for communicating the tank and vertically moving the tank up and down in this state so as to match the water level of the liquid in the substantially U-shaped pipe with the reference level. Gas leak detector for gas container. 3. A third control valve provided in communication with the inside of the test cup, wherein the third control valve is opened for a predetermined time immediately after the on-off valve is covered with the test cup to open the inside of the test cup. The gas leak detection device for a liquefied high-pressure gas container according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a malfunction prevention mechanism for maintaining an atmospheric pressure state.