DETECTING AND SIGNALLING SYSTEM

Technical field

This invention relates to a detecting and signalling system.

More specifically, this invention relates to a system for remotely detecting and signalling the open and/or closed state of the shutter of an element for controlling the flow of gas along a gas distribution line.

Background art

In the field of gas distribution, there has always been a request from customers for position signalling devices to check, from a remote station, the open or closed status of apparatuses, such as the means for controlling the flow, which are located, for example, inside a gas regulating station.

In this description, the expression control elements is used to mean both devices for regulating the flow of gas and devices for safely blocking the flow of gas.

In other words, the expression flow control means is used to mean pressure regulating devices and also safety devices of both the analogue and on-off type.

The above-mentioned regulating stations are in fact spread throughout the territory and cannot be physically manned by an operator who continuously checks the correct operation.

Currently, this signalling is performed by switches which are directly connected to the mechanical detection of the position of the shutter of the control element.

A type of switch (proximity switch) detects when a metal mass approaches.

In other words, by directly associating the movement of a mechanical stroke indicator of the shutter of the element for controlling the flow to a metal plate which positions itself close to this switch, the latter emits a signal signifying the position of the stroke indicator and, therefore, the closed/open state of the control element.

To all intents and purposes, it is a proximity sensor.

Another type of switch (microswitch) comprises the physical activation of a pushbutton which, also activated by the above-mentioned plate integral with the above-mentioned stroke indicator, signals one situation or the other.

In other words, in both these prior art solutions a mechanical connection is currently made between the element for controlling the flow and the switch.

Thus, in both these solutions, , a rod or similar metal part protrudes from the body of the control element, connected directly and mechanically to the body of the control element (pressure regulating valve or block valve) for detecting a posteriori the state of the shutter.

The creation of this mechanical connection allows a detection a posteriori o the effect requested by the variation or fault of the parameter controlled (pressure downstream of the station) and only in the case of correct operation of the shutter of the control element.

Moreover, in practical cases, the creation of this mechanical connection implies the drawback of having to make a series of variants as a function of both the shape and size of the control element and the space available in the surrounding environment.

In short, it is necessary to customise the connection between the switch and the control element for each specific situation, using suitable and special mechanical solutions, such as brackets plates, rods etc.

Moreover, since the prior art systems are positioned outside the control element, even if they are not necessarily exposed to the adverse weather conditions of the outside environment, they are nevertheless exposed to environmental conditions which are not always necessarily favourable (for example, formation of condensate which facilitates rusting).

Moreover, the fact that the above-mentioned switch is any case powered electrically, and rigidly connected to the body of the control element, implies the further drawback that the control element complete with integral switch is classified as an assembly and must therefore be internationally compliant with legally binding and without doubt stricter safety regulations.

Further, the normal signalling systems are based on the stroke of the shutter element of the control element to indicate whether the element is operating or not. Sometimes, however, the stroke of the shutter (to enter regulating mode) is so small, even in the range of a few tenths of a millimetre, that its measurement by a mechanical detector may be completely imprecise or even not detected, if the above-mentioned movement is less than the sensitivity of the detector.

Disclosure of the invention

The aim of the invention is therefore to provide a detecting and signalling system which is free of the drawbacks and limitations of the prior art solutions.

A further aim of this invention is to provide a detecting and signalling system which is simple and inexpensive to implement and practical to use. The technical features of the invention according to the above-mentioned objects may be easily inferred from the contents of the appended claims, especially claims 1 and 8, and, preferably, any of the claims that depend, either directly or indirectly, on these claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view, with some parts in cross section for clarity, of a first embodiment of the system according to this invention integrated in a gas distribution line;

Figure 2 is a cross section view of a detail of a first embodiment of the system of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a cross section view of a variant embodiment of the detail of Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is a cross section view of a variant embodiment of a component of the details of Figures 2 and 3;

- Figure 5 is a schematic view, with some parts in cross section for clarity, of a second embodiment of the system according to this invention integrated in a gas distribution line;

- Figure 6 shows a scaled-up view, in order to better illustrate the components, of a detail of the system of Figure 5.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the reference numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a first embodiment of the detecting and signalling system made according to this invention.

The detecting and signalling system 1 , hereinafter denoted for brevity also merely as system 1 , is inserted in a unit G for regulating the gas along a stretch of a line 2 for distributing gas, for example natural gas.

The arrow F indicates the direction of travel of the gas along line.

With reference to the line 2, along the section illustrated there are, one after the other, two elements 3, 4 for controlling the flow of gas. They are pressure regulating devices of substantially known type.

The regulating device 3 positioned upstream, relative to the above- mentioned direction of travel, is a standby and safety device, whilst the regulating device 4 positioned downstream is the one normally operating, which therefore regulated the pressure of the gas passing through it. These control elements 3, 4 positioned upstream and downstream are denoted below, respectively, also as standby regulator 3 and main regulator 4.

For each standby and main regulator 3, 4 there is a respective control element 5, 6.

The control elements 5, 6 are of substantially known type and are actuated pneumatically using the difference in pressure of the gas between upstream and downstream of the pressure regulators 3, 4.

Each control element 5, 6 is connected to the respective adjusting device 3, 4 by a respective drive conduit 5a, 6a.

Inside the drive conduits 5a, 6a, when used, a respective drive pressure Pm is established, determined by the respective control element 5, 6 and designed to act on the pressure regulator 3, 4 of the modulating the operation.

The line 2 also comprises a conduit 7 for driving the control elements 5, 6. On the line 2, downstream of the main regulator 4, there are a multitude of points 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d for picking up the pressure regulated downstream. From these points 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d extend a plurality of pipes 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d designed to transmit the pressure measured value P1 to the various devices present in the regulating unit G on the line 1 .

In particular, both the control elements 5, 6 and the standby and main regulating devices 3, 4 need, in known manner, for their correct operation, to receive a signal representing the pressure value P1 of the gas downstream of the main regulating device 4.

A way to transmit this value is that of placing directly in communication each of the above-mentioned regulating devices and control elements with the gas on the respective line, downstream of the main regulating device 4.

As illustrated in Figure 1 , the detecting and signalling system 1 comprises a pneumatic detecting device 10.

As shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, the pneumatic detecting device 10 comprises an outer containment casing 1 1 inside of which is defined a chamber 12.

The chamber 12 slidably houses a movable body 13.

The movable element 13 slides longitudinally along a direction coinciding with a central axis A of the outer casing 1 1 .

The movable body 13 has an axial symmetrical extension.

The movable body 13 is configured to divide the chamber 12 into two sub- chambers 12a, 12b respectively upper and lower.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate in detail two variant embodiments of the pneumatic detecting device 10.

According to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2 (and also in Figure 1 ), the movable body 13 consists of two flanges 13a, 13b between which is clamped a deformable membrane 13c.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the movable body 13 comprises a piston 13d, isolated from the inner wall of the chamber 12 by means of two ring seals 13e.

The movable body 13, in both its embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and

3, has two axial projection 14, 15, respectively upper and lower.

The two upper and lower projections 14, 15 project, respectively, in the upper sub-chamber 12a and in the lower sub-chamber 12b and protrude from them through respective calibrated holes 14a, 15a.

Respective caps 16 are fitted at the upper and lower ends 1 1 a, 1 1 b of the outer casing 1 1 .

The caps 16 are advantageously threaded and screwed to the ends 1 1 a, 1 1 b.

In the preferred embodiments illustrated of the pneumatic detecting device 10, each cap 16 has a respective central through hole 16a.

As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the detecting and signalling system 1 comprises two electric switches 17 of the proximity type supported by the above-mentioned pneumatic detecting device 10 and configured to each generate a respective electrical signal representing an open and closed status of the shutter O of a gas control element 3, 4.

The above-mentioned electric proximity switches 17 are partly housed in an outer portion of the above-mentioned hole 16a formed in the cap 16. The electric switches 17 are screwed into the above-mentioned holes 16a. More specifically, the electric proximity switches 17 are designed to generate respective signals when the upper and lower projections 14, 15 of the movable body 13 move towards them.

Figure 4 illustrates a different electric switch 18, of the type also referred to as microswitch, wherein a pushbutton 18 is physically activated by contact with a respective projection 14 of the movable body 13.

The electric switch 18 equipped with pushbutton 18 is alternative to the electric proximity switch 17.

With reference to the limit positions of the movable body 13, they define to all intents and purposes conditioning positions of the electric switch 17, 18 at which, that is to say, the switches 17, 18 generate the electrical signals. A helical spring 19 opposing the movement of the movable body 13 is positioned inside the upper sub-chamber 12a and positioned around the upper projection 14 of the movable body 13.

The detecting and signalling system 1 comprises a first pneumatic conduit 20, partly defined by the pipe 8a, designed to connect the regulating device 10 to the gas distribution line 2, downstream of the control element 3, and a second pneumatic conduit 21 , partly defined by the drive conduit 5a of the standby regulator 3, designed to connect the detecting device 10 to the element 3 for controlling the gas of the shutter for which the status is to be signalled.

As is also evident from what is described above, the pressure P1 is established in the first pneumatic conduit 20 whilst the drive pressure Pm exists in the second pneumatic conduit 21 .

As illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the upper sub-chamber 12a is in fluid communication with the first pneumatic conduit 20 whilst the lower sub-chamber 12b is in fluid communication with the second pneumatic conduit 21 .

The detecting device 10 is therefore a differential type device, that is to say, subjected to two pressure values.

In use, the pneumatic detector 10 is configured in such a way that the relative movable body 13 adopts the above-mentioned limit conditioning positions of the electric switches 17, 18, at least in the passage from a condition of inequality of the value P1 , Pm of pressure of the gas in the above-mentioned first and second conduits 20, 21 to a condition of equality between the values P1 , Pm of pressure of the gas in the first or second conduits 20, 21 or vice versa.

In reality, in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, in view of the presence of two electric switches 17, one of them is normally active and the other will only become active following the above-mentioned modification of the pressure downstream of the control element 3.

The embodiment of the pneumatic detecting device 10 illustrated in Figure 1 , on the other hand, has a single electric switch 17 which is therefore is designed to indicate only the opening or closing of the shutter of the control element 3 and not both conditions.

According to this variant, therefore, the single electric switch 17 can be either normally switched ON or normally switched OFF and then modify its condition following changes in pressure conditions.

In short, with reference to the system diagram illustrated in Figure 1 , which comprises a safety regulator 3 (or monitor) and a main regulator 4, the detecting and signalling device 10 is activated when the regulator 3 passes from the open condition (that is, substantially inactive, that is to say, with shutter O open) to a regulating condition (that is to say, with shutter O partly closed), due to a malfunction of the main regulator 4.

In other words, if the main regulator 4 stops operating (that is, stops regulating the pressure) then the intervention of the standby regulator 3 (monitor) is requested by the variation of the drive pressure supplied by the control element and, therefore, the regulator 3 receives sufficient energy to close the flow of gas, assuming correct operation of the shutter O of the control element (standby regulator 3).

The pressure difference on the line 2 between upstream and downstream of the shutter O of the standby regulator 3 is reproduced firstly upstream and downstream of the pneumatic detecting device 10 which is therefore activated and by means of the electric switch 17 signals the entering into operation of the standby regulator 3.

More in detail, the increase of the pressure upstream of the shutter O of the standby regulator 3, through the first pneumatic conduit 20 (drive conduit 5a), is reproduced in the lower sub-chamber 12b therefore producing a movement of the movable body 13 downwards and the simultaneous conditioning of the switch 17 which, therefore, generates a respective electrical signal.

In this situation, therefore, the system 1 detects the condition of entering into operation of the standby regulator 3, generates a simultaneous electrical signal and transmits it by an electric cable 22 to any remote station.

The cable 22 defines, for the system 1 , respective means for remotely transmitting the electrical signal.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the reference numeral 101 denotes in its entirety a second embodiment of the detecting and signalling system according to this invention.

The detecting and signalling system 101 , hereinafter denoted for brevity also merely as system 101 , is positioned along a stretch of a line 102 for distributing gas, for example natural gas.

The arrow F indicates the direction of travel of the gas along line 102. With reference to the line 102, along the section illustrated there is a safety device 103.

More specifically, by way of an example, Figure 5 illustrates an element 103 for blocking the flow of gas along the line 102.

The block valve 103, during normal operation, is open and its intervention is only planned in certain circumstances, such as, for example, dangerous or potentially dangerous situations.

In this description, with reference to the valve 103 illustrated schematically in Figure 5, the expressions safety device and block valve will be used indifferently, without in any way limiting the scope of the invention.

More in detail, the block valve 103 comprises a shutter O, shown only partly in Figure 5, since it is shown in the retracted configuration, the shutter O being designed to move between two limit positions for, respectively, opening and closing the flow of gas.

The element 103, of substantially known type, has a mechanism 104 for driving the shutter, the mechanism 4 comprising a plurality of linkages. The linkages, schematically illustrated in Figure 5, contribute to defining, together with a spring 105, a position of stable equilibrium at which the shutter O is maintained in the open configuration.

The drive mechanism 104 is also connected to a pneumatic baffle 106 facing into a chamber 107 wherein there is normally a predetermined pressure value, for example atmospheric pressure (patm), which is significantly less than the regulated pressure value of the gas normally flowing along the line 102.

By using the pneumatic conduit 108, leading into the chamber 107, it is possible to place the chamber 107 at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, thereby destabilising the drive mechanism 104 which, abandoning its position of equilibrium in an open configuration, causes the immediate closing of the shutter O, in the manner described below.

The system 101 advantageously comprises two control elements 150,

160.

The control element 150, 160, known in the trade also as "control" or

"release element", is of a substantially known type.

In the embodiment used in the system illustrated in Figure 5, each control element 150, 160 is actuated pneumatically using the difference between the pressure pn of the gas downstream of the block valve 103 and respective values of calibration of the control elements 150, 160.

In other words, with reference, for example, to the control element 150, which can be defined as a minimum pressure element, it has a calibration value such as to intervene on the block valve 103 when the pressure value pn drops below a predetermined value pmin.

This circumstance might, for example, occur in the case of a significant loss of gas in the line 102, an event wherein the block of the line would be without doubt opportune.

Similarly, with reference to the control element 160, which can be defined as a maximum pressure element, it has a calibration value such as to intervene on the block valve 103 when the pressure pn exceeds a predetermined upper threshold value pmax.

This circumstance might, for example, occur in the case of a malfunction of the pressure regulating devices present along the line 102, which is also an event wherein the block of the line 102 would be without doubt opportune, to prevent a flow of gas with too high a pressure reaching users which are not set up for this.

In short, the operation of both the control elements 150, 160 is the same: if one of the following conditions occurs on the line 102 downstream of the safety valve 103:

pn > pmax

pn < pmin

using the pneumatic conduit 108, they change the chamber 107 to the pressure pn, that is to say, in substantial communication with the line 102 downstream of the safety valve 103.

Since the pressure value pn is without doubt greater than the value patm normally inside the chamber 107, this circumstance causes the immediate activation of the drive mechanism 104 and the simultaneous closing of the shutter O of the block valve 103.

After that, the flow of gas downstream of the valve 103 is interrupted, therefore placing the line 102 in safe conditions. As illustrated in Figure 5, the detecting and signalling system 101 comprises a pneumatic detecting device 1 10.

As shown more clearly in Figure 6, the pneumatic detecting device 1 10 comprises an outer containment casing 1 1 1 inside of which is defined a chamber 1 12.

The chamber 1 12 slidably houses a movable body 1 13.

The movable element 1 13 slides longitudinally along a direction coinciding with a central axis of the outer casing 1 1 1 .

The movable body 1 13 has an axial symmetrical extension.

The movable body 1 13 is configured to divide the chamber 1 12 into two sub-chambers 1 12a, 1 12b respectively upper and lower.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 6, the movable body 1 13 consists of two flanges 1 13a, 1 13b between which is clamped a deformable membrane 1 13c.

The movable body 1 13, has two axial projections 1 14, 1 15, respectively upper and lower.

The two upper and lower projections 1 14, 1 15 project, respectively, in the upper sub-chamber 1 12a and in the lower sub-chamber 1 12b and protrude from them through respective calibrated holes.

The upper sub-chamber 1 12a is in fluid contact with the outside environment (at atmospheric pressure) through a filter cap 125.

Respective caps 1 16a, 1 16b. are fitted at the upper and lower ends 1 1 a, 1 1 b of the outer casing 1 1 .

The caps 1 16a, 1 16b are advantageously threaded and screwed to the ends 1 1 1 a, 1 1 1 b.

In the embodiment of the pneumatic detecting device 1 10 illustrated in Figure 6, the upper cap 1 16a has a respective central through hole.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the detecting and signalling system 101 comprises an electric switch 1 17 of the proximity type supported by the above-mentioned pneumatic detecting device 1 10 and configured to generate a respective electrical signal representing an open or closed status of the shutter O of the safety valve 103.

Figures 5, 6 refer to a configuration of the device 1 10 wherein the switch 1 17 signals advantageously the closed condition of the shutter O.

Variant embodiments, not illustrated, of the device 1 10 comprise a second electric switch positioned close to the lower 1 1 1 b of the casing 1 1 1 , configured to generate a respective electrical signal representing an open status of the shutter O.

With reference to Figure 6, the above-mentioned electric proximity switch 1 17 is partly housed in an outer portion of the hole formed in the cap 1 16a. More specifically, the electric proximity switch 1 17 is designed to generate an electric signal when it moves towards the projection 1 14 of the movable body 1 13.

In short, with reference to what is described above, upon the intervention of the safety valve 1 03, the pneumatic detecting device 1 10 is also activated, which, therefore, by means of the electric switch 1 17, signals the entering into operation of the valve 103.

By means of a relative stretch 108a, the conduit 108 is in effect connected to the pneumatic detecting device 1 10.

More in detail, the increasing or decreasing of the pressure along the line 102 beyond predetermined reference values is reproduced in the conduit 108 producing, therefore, a movement of the movable body 1 13 upwards and the simultaneous conditioning of the switch 1 17 which, therefore, generates a relative electrical signal.

In this situation, therefore, the system 101 detects the condition of entering into operation of the safety valve 103, generates a simultaneous electrical signal and transmits it by an electric cable 122 to any remote station.

The cable 122 defines, for the system 1 , respective means for remotely transmitting the electrical signal.

In short, with reference to what is described above, the pneumatic detecting device 1 10 is activated by the variation of the signal by the control elements 150, 160 in parallel with the drive mechanism 104 for actuating the shutter 103 upon the intervention of the block valve, and, therefore, using the electric switch 1 17, the device 1 10 signals in a predictive manner the consequent effect expected by the block valve 103. According to a variant embodiment, not illustrated, of the device 1 10, the above-mentioned movable body consists of a piston.

Also according to the variant embodiments, not illustrated, of the device 1 10, the above-mentioned electric switch is a microswitch configured to be controlled by contact by one of the projections 1 14, 1 15 of the movable body 1 13, to cause the generation of the electrical signal.

Further alternative embodiments, not illustrated, of the systems 10, 1 10 according to this invention comprise, as the pneumatic detecting device, a differential pressure gauge (or a pressure switch) acting on a respective electric switch to signal the reaching of determined preset pressure values by generating a suitable electrical signal.

The invention brings important advantages.

A first advantage is that, unlike existing systems, the system 1 , 101 is able to supply a signal on the cause which requires the intervention of the control element and not on the consequent effect (closing of the shutter); therefore, the system 1 , 101 is able to allow from a remote position the direct comparison between variation of the controlled parameter (downstream pressure) and effect requested from the control element. If there are operating faults in the shutter O of the control element, this comparison makes it possible to remotely detect the malfunction of the control element (regulating device or block valve).

Moreover, since the detecting device according to the invention is a pneumatic device with differential operation, it detects the cause (drive energy) which must lead to the actuation of the control element and not the effect which the actuation of the control element has had on controlled parameter (downstream pressure).

A further advantage is without doubt given by the fact that it is no longer necessary to customise prior art systems, since, by using the system 1 , 101 according to the invention, it is no longer necessary to create brackets or specific elements for connecting the switch which are specific for each pressure regulator but it is only necessary, in the case of system 1 , to connect the two inputs of the detecting device 10, respectively at drive pressure Pm and at pressure P1 downstream of the regulator or, in the case of system 101 , to connect the input of the connecting device 1 10 to the pneumatic drive conduit 108 of the safety valve 103.

In this regard, there are pressurised outlets in every line downstream of the regulator.

Moreover, since the detecting device according to the invention is a pneumatic device with differential operation, it does not detect, in the case of system 1 , the particular pressure existing in a line but simply the pressure difference between the drive and downstream of the pressure regulator; similarly, in the case of the system 101 , it does not detect the particular pressure existing in a line but simply the fact that in the drive conduit 108 of the valve safety 103 a pressure is established which is higher than atmospheric pressure.

This means that it is not even necessary to carry out calibrations or selections based on the absolute pressure values of the lines, since a single detecting device is suitable for a multitude of different gas distribution lines.

A further advantage of the system according to the invention is due to the possibility of locating the pneumatic detecting device physically displaced from the relative element for controlling the gas, so as to prevent the need for specific electrical connections and certification requirements.