Method for Monitoring Valves

Abstract

Method for monitoring valves, in particular valves of a fire fighting system, comprising capturing first sensor signals at a valve in an intact state with a sensor, training the monitoring with the first sensor signals captured at the valve in the intact state, capturing second sensor signals at the valve in an unknown state with the sensor, comparing the trained first sensor signals with the second sensor signals and outputting a signal in case of a deviation of the second sensor signals from the first sensor signals above a limit value.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. Method for monitoring valves and/or pressure cylinders of a fire fighting system, comprising: acquisition of first sensor signals at a valve and/or a pressure cylinder in an intact state with a sensor; training the monitoring with the first sensor signals captured at the valve and/or pressure cylinder in an intact state; capturing second sensor signals at the valve and/or pressure cylinder in an unknown state with the sensor; and comparing the trained first sensor signals with the second sensor signals, and outputting a signal in case of a deviation of the second sensor signals from the first sensor signals above a limit value wherein the valve and/or pressure cylinder and the sensor are enclosed in a common housing and that the sensor signals are captured within the housing.

13. Method according to claim 12, wherein the sensor signals are captured by a sound sensor, an image sensor, a thermal sensor, a vibration sensor, a humidity sensor, a pressure sensor a current sensor and/or a position sensor.

14. Method according to claim 12, wherein the first and second sensor signals are cross-correlated.

15. Method according to claim 12, wherein the sensor signals are image signals of an image sensor and wherein the image signals are compared with one another, in particular wherein a deviation of pixel values is determined.

16. Method according to claim 15, wherein when the image signals are captured, the valve and/or the impression cylinder is illuminated by illumination means.

17. Method according to claim 12, wherein the second sensor signals are captured at intervals, in particular at regular intervals.

18. Method according to claim 12, wherein the sensor signals are transmitted from the sensor to an evaluation device remote from the sensor communicating with a plurality of sensors by wire, in particular by optical fiber, or wirelessly, in particular by LoRa or Wlan.

19. Method according to claim 12, wherein the first and second sensor signals are compared with one another in a processor which is arranged directly at the valve and/or pressure cylinder, and the comparison result is transmitted to a remote evaluation device.

20. Method according to claim 12, wherein the valves are area valves of a fire fighting system.

21. System arranged to monitor valves and/or pressure cylinders of a fire-fighting system, comprising: a sensor enclosed together with a valve and/ or pressure cylinder in a housing arranged to capture first sensor signals at a valve and/or pressure cylinder inside the housing in an intact state; a processor arranged to train the monitoring with the first sensor signals captured at the valve and/or pressure cylinder in an intact state; wherein the sensor is arranged to capture second sensor signals inside the housing at the valve and/or pressure cylinder in an unknown state; and the processor is arranged to compare the trained first sensor signals with the second sensor signals and to issue a signal if the second sensor signals deviate from the first sensor signals by more than a limit value.

Description

[0035] In the following, the subject matter is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing embodiments. In the drawing show:

[0036] FIG. 1 a schematic structure of a fire fighting system;

[0037] FIG. 2 a schematic structure of a valve box;

[0038] FIG. 3a an arrangement of a sensor in a valve box;

[0039] FIG. 3b an arrangement of a pressure cylinder in a housing;

[0040] FIG. 4 the arrangement of different sensors at a valve;

[0041] FIG. 5a,b the change of image information;

[0042] FIG. 6a,b the change of thermal information;

[0043] FIG. 7a-c the comparison of time-variant sensor signals.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a fire fighting system 2 with a main distribution line 4 as well as area lines 6. Extinguishing nozzles/extinguishing mist nozzles 8 are arranged on the area lines 6 as required. The area strands 6 are connected to the main strand 4 via area valves 10. The area valves 10 and the devices provided for monitoring and controlling the area valves 10 are connected to a control center 14 via a communication bus 12. A communication bus may be a CAN bus.

[0045] Via the communication bus 12, the control center 14 can control the valves 10 or the valve motors and, if necessary, receive sensor signals.

[0046] In the idle state, the area valves 10 are in an idle position, which may be either an open position or a closed position.

[0047] At maintenance intervals, the control center 14 controls the motors of the area valves 10 to move from the rest position to a maintenance position and/or an active position, which may be an open position or a closed position, to check the functionality of the valves 10. In the case of a wet system, the area valve 10 is closed in the rest position. For maintenance, a downstream maintenance valve is closed, the area valve 10 is opened and closed again, and then the maintenance valve is opened again.

[0048] In the event of a fire, an area in which a fire is present is detected by means of a fire alarm control panel, video surveillance or an operator. Depending on this, one or more of the area valves 10 are opened so that extinguishing fluid can flow, if necessary, first into the main line and then, if necessary, from the main line 4 into the respective area line 6, where it can be discharged via the respective extinguishing nozzles 8. Unquestionably the operation of the area valves 10 is essential to the operation of the fire suppression system 2. However, a manual check of the valves is costly and time-consuming.

[0049] In FIG. 2, an area valve 10 is shown in a valve box 16. The valve box 16 is a closable housing into which the piping of the main line 4 leads and the piping of the range line 6 leads out. The valve 10 is arranged inside the valve box 16. An adjustment motor 18 is provided on the valve 10, with which the valve 10 can be opened and closed in a motorized manner. Instead of the adjustment motor 18, a magnetic drive can also be provided in a magnetic valve 10. The examples presented here thus also apply to solenoid valves.

[0050] The adjustment motor 18 is controlled via a processor 20. The valve 10, the servomotor 18 and the processor 20 are connected to the communication bus 12 via a communication device 22.

[0051] For inspection purposes, an image sensor 24, for example, may be provided in the valve box 16 in addition to the aforementioned components, as shown in FIG. 3a. The image sensor 24 may be, for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The image sensor 24 may be oriented such that its field of view 24a covers the valve 10 together with the motor 18 and, if applicable, parts of the piping from the main line 4 and area line 6. The sensor 24 is connected to the processor 20. In addition to the image sensor 24, a light source may be provided in the valve box 16 to at least partially illuminate the valve box 16 at the moment the image is captured.

[0052] For inspection purposes, an image sensor 24, for example, may be provided in the housing 16a in addition to the aforementioned components, as shown in FIG. 3b. The image sensor 24 may be, for example, a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The image sensor 24 may be oriented such that its field of view 24a covers the pressure cylinder 10a including the valve 10 and, if applicable, parts of the piping from the main line 4 and area line 6. The sensor 24 is connected to the processor 20. In addition to the image sensor 24, a light source may be provided in the housing 16 that at least partially illuminates the housing 16 at the moment the image is captured. In particular, a humidity sensor may be arranged at the bottom of the housing 10a to detect a humidity in the area of the pressure cylinder 10a. A valve 10 according to the subject matter may be arranged on a pressure cylinder 10a and be monitored.

[0053] A wide variety of sensors can be arranged cumulatively or alternatively to one another at the valve 10 and at the motor 18 as well as at the lines connected to the valve 10 and at the pressure cylinder. FIG. 4 shows a number of different sensors as examples.

[0054] For example, a structure-borne sound sensor 26 can be arranged on the valve 10. Also, a motion sensor 28 may be arranged on the valve 10. Furthermore, a humidity sensor 30 may be provided in the valve box 16. Furthermore, a temperature sensor or thermal image sensor 32 may also be arranged in the housing 16. Position sensors 34 (or position switches) may be provided at the motor 18, which may sense a orientation/position of a valve position. A current sensor 36 may also be provided on the supply line to the motor 18. In addition, pressure sensors 38 and/or moisture sensors may be provided in the piping 4, 6. A wide variety of sensors 24-38 can be used to detect sensor signals at the valve 10 and the actuator motor 18.

[0055] In an intact state of the valve 10, the sensors may detect first sensor signals. Such sensor signals are shown by way of example in FIGS. 5a, 6a, 7a. These sensor signals may be used to train the monitoring system. During an operation, second sensor signals can then be detected again with the same sensor, as shown in FIGS. 5b, 6b, 7b. These second sensor signals can be compared to the first sensor signals and a deviation can be detected. Such a deviation may be indicative of a defect in the valve 10.

[0056] FIG. 5a shows, for example, an image of the image sensor 24 of the valve 10. No incrustations or other deposits can be seen on the valve 10. After a certain amount of time, for example after a few years, the same image sensor 24 can be used to take the image shown in FIG. 5b, for example. Deposits can be seen on the underside of the valve 10, which may be caused by leakage or condensation, for example.

[0057] By a pixel comparison of the pixels of the image according to FIG. 5a with the pixels of the image according to FIG. 5b, it can be determined that a number of pixels have different chroma and/or luma values. If the number of pixels that differ is greater than a threshold value, a signal can be output.

[0058] FIGS. 6a and b show exemplary images of a temperature sensor 32. For maintenance purposes, the adjustment motor 18 is driven to move the valve 10 to a maintenance position, for example. This generates frictional heat which, as can be seen in FIG. 6a, can be seen in the temperature image. The image 6b of the temperature sensor 32 shows the valve 10 in an unknown state. This image is also taken during a movement of the actuator 18 to a maintenance position. A changed thermal profile can be seen. By comparing the thermal images shown in FIGS. 6a and b, it can be determined that the temperature distribution at the valve 10 is different, which may also indicate a need for maintenance.

[0059] FIG. 7a and b show the profile of, for example, the structure-borne sound at the valve 10 when the motor 18 moves the valve 10 from a closed position to a maintenance position. FIG. 7a shows the sound profile in an intact condition and FIG. 7b shows the sound profile at the same valve 10 in an unknown condition. By cross-correlating the profiles according to FIG. 7a and b, it can be determined, as shown in FIG. 7c, that the time course of the sound signal no longer correlates at certain times. In this case, the value of the correlation falls below a threshold value. Such threshold crossing can indicate a need for maintenance.

[0060] The acquisition of the sensor signals is carried out with the sensors, as described above, in the valve box 16. The processor 20 can transmit these sensor signals to the control center 14 or evaluate the first and second sensor signals independently and transmit a signal to the control center 14 only if a need for maintenance is detected.

[0061] With the aid of the method shown, it is possible in a particularly simple manner to automatically inspect valves 10 which are spatially distributed over a large area.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0062] 2 fire fighting system

[0063] 4 main line strand

[0064] 6 area pipe strand

[0065] 8 extinguishing nozzle

[0066] 10 valve

[0067] 10a pressure cylinder

[0068] 12 communication bus

[0069] 14 control center

[0070] 16 valve box

[0071] 16a housing

[0072] 18 adjustment motor

[0073] 20 processor

[0074] 22 communication device

[0075] 24 image sensor

[0076] 26 sound sensor

[0077] 28 motion sensor

[0078] 30 humidity sensor

[0079] 32 temperature sensor

[0080] 34 position sensor

[0081] 36 current sensor

[0082] 38 pressure sensor