Flow Means For Reversing The Direction Of Flow

Abstract

A flow means with a housing and a fan to generate a fluid flow within a pipe or hose line of an intake monitoring system. The fan can be connected to the pipe or hose line via connecting pieces and can be driven to rotateaxis . The invention creates a flow means (100) which enables the direction of flow to be reversed. Respective blocking means are assigned to the connecting pieces and can be moved from an intake position (PS), in which an intake region of the fan is connected to the respective connecting piece into an exhaust position (PB), in which an exhaust region of the fan is connected to the respective connecting piece so the flow within the pipe or hose line is in a first direction of flow (S1) or in a second direction of flow (S2) as a function of the position (PS, PB) of the blocking means.

Claims

1. A flow means (100) with a housing (110) and a fan (120) arranged therein, which is used to generate a fluid flow within a pipe or hose line (210) of an intake monitoring system (200), which fan can be connected to the pipe or hose line (210) in a fluid-conducting manner via connecting pieces (130) and can be driven to rotate about a fan axis (A) in a direction of rotation, characterized in that respective blocking means (140) are assigned to the connecting pieces (130), which blocking means can be moved from a first position, an intake position (PS), in which an intake region (121) of the fan (120) is connected to the respective connecting piece (130) in a fluid-conducting manner, into a second position, an exhaust position (PB), in which an exhaust region (122) of the fan (120) is connected to the respective connecting piece (130) in a fluid-conducting manner, so that, when the fan (120) is in operation, the fluid flow within the pipe or hose line (210) can be generated in a first direction of flow (S1) or in a second direction of flow (S2) as a function of the respective position (PS, PB) of the blocking means (140).

2. The flow means (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the fluid flow within the pipe and/or hose line (210) can be generated in the first direction of flow (S1) if at least one of the blocking means (140) is in the intake position (PS), and the fluid flow can be generated in the second direction of flow (S2) if this blocking means (140) is in the exhaust position (PB).

3. The flow means (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the connecting pieces (130) have respective intake or exhaust openings (131, 132), which are structurally separate from one another, wherein a first intake or exhaust opening (131) connects the intake region (121) of the fan (120) and a second intake or exhaust opening (132) connects the exhaust region (122) of the fan (120) to the respective connecting piece (130) in a fluid-conducting manner.

4. The flow means (100) of claim 3, characterized in that, when the blocking means (140) is in the intake position (PS), at least one of the intake or exhaust openings (131, 132) of a connecting piece (130) is open and at least one other intake or exhaust opening (131, 132) of the same connecting piece (130) is blocked by the blocking means (140).

5. The flow means (100) of claim 3, characterized in that the first and the second intake or exhaust opening (131, 132) of a respective connecting piece (130) can be blocked by a common blocking means (140) in such a way that, in the intake position (PS) of this blocking means (140), the first intake or exhaust opening (131) is open and the second intake or exhaust opening (132) is blocked and, in the exhaust position (PB), the second intake or exhaust opening (132) is open and the first intake or exhaust opening (131) is blocked.

6. The flow means (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means (140) assigned to the respective connecting piece (130) can be actuated via a common actuator and switched in opposite directions, so that the blocking means (140) assigned to one connecting piece (130) is in the intake position (PS), provided the blocking means (140) assigned to another connecting piece (130) is in the exhaust position (PB).

7. The flow means (100) of claim 6, characterized in that at least one blocking means (140) designed as a shut-off valve can be pivoted or folded from the intake position (PS) to the exhaust position (PB) about a pivot axis (SA) extending parallel to the cross-sectional area of the respective connecting piece (130) or of the respective intake or exhaust openings (131, 132) of the connecting piece.

8. The flow means (100) of claim 6, characterized in that at least one blocking means (140) designed as a rotating blocking means can be rotated from the intake position (PS) to the exhaust position (PB) about an axis of rotation (RA) extending orthogonal to the cross-sectional area of the respective connecting piece (130) or of the respective intake or exhaust openings (131, 132) of the connecting piece.

9. The flow means (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the blocking means (140) can be moved into at least one additional, third position, a blocking position (P3), in which a fluid-conducting connection between the fan (120) and the respective connecting piece (130) is completely blocked.

10. The flow means (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the fluid flow within the pipe or hose line (210) can be generated, as a function of the position (PS, PB) of the blocking means (140), in a first direction of flow (S1) or in a second direction of flow (S2), during operation of the fan (120) in the same direction of rotation, respectively.

11. The flow means (100) of claim 10, characterized in that the fluid flow within the pipe or hose line (210) can be generated in a first direction of flow (S1) or in a second direction of flow (S2) during operation of the fan (120), regardless of its direction of rotation and as a function of the respective position (PS, PB) of the blocking means (140).

12. The flow means (100) of claim 11, characterized in that the fan (120) is a radial fan with an axial intake region (121) and a radial exhaust region (122), the fan axis (A) of which is orthogonal to the cross-sectional areas of the respective connecting pieces (130) or of the respective intake or exhaust openings (131, 132) of the connecting pieces (130).

13. An intake monitoring system (200) for detecting or locating a fire, an outbreak of fire, or a hazardous situation, which intake monitoring system (200) has a fluid line system with at least one pipe and/or hose line (210), which opens into one or more monitoring regions via one or more intake openings for the respective removal of a fluid sample, and a detection unit (220) for detecting fire or hazard parameters contained in the fluid sample, characterized in that the intake monitoring system (200) for generating a fluid flow within the pipe or hose line (210) has a flow means (100) of claim 1, which flow means (100) is connected to the pipe or hose line (210) via its connecting piece (130), so that, during operation of the fan (120) comprised by the flow means (100), the fluid flow within the pipe or hose line (210) can be generated in a first direction of flow (S1) or in a second direction of flow (S2) as a function of the respective position (PS, PB) of the blocking means (140).

14. A method for using a flow means (100) of claim 1 for generating a fluid flow within a pipe or hose line (210) of an intake monitoring system (200) and for reversing this fluid flow from a first direction of flow (S1) to a second direction of flow (S2), characterized in that the fan (120) of the flow means (100) is connected to the pipe or hose line (210) via a connecting piece (130) having at least one blocking means (140) in order to generate the fluid flow and is driven to rotate about a fan axis (A) in one direction of rotation, wherein, to reverse the direction of the fluid flow, either the at least one blocking means (140) is moved from a first position, an intake position (PS), in which the intake region (121) of the fan (120) is connected to the pipe or hose line (210) via the connecting piece (130) in a fluid-conducting manner, into a second position, an exhaust position (PB), in which the exhaust region (122) of the fan (120) is connected to the pipe or hose line (210) via the connecting piece (130) in a fluid-conducting manner, or the at least one blocking means (140) is moved from the exhaust position (PB) to the intake position (PS).

15. The method of use according to claim 14, characterized in that the connecting piece (130) has respective intake or exhaust openings (131, 132), which are structurally separate from one another, wherein a first intake or exhaust opening (131) connects the intake region (121) of the fan (120) and a second intake or exhaust opening (132) connects the exhaust region (122) of the fan (120) to the respective connecting piece (130) in a fluid-conducting manner, and wherein, in order to reverse the direction of the fluid flow, either the first intake or exhaust opening (131) is blocked and the second intake or exhaust opening (132) is opened by moving the blocking means (140) from the intake position (PS) to the exhaust position (PB), or the second intake or exhaust opening (131) is blocked and the first intake or exhaust opening (132) is opened by moving the blocking means (140) from the exhaust position (PB) into the intake position (PS).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the flow means according to the invention with two connecting pieces and two blocking means;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic front view of a connecting piece with an exemplary embodiment of a blocking means as a shut-off valve;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a schematic front view of a connecting piece with an exemplary embodiment of a blocking means as a rotation-blocking means;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the flow means according to the invention, which is connected to a pipe and/or hose line to generate a fluid flow in a first direction of flow via a connecting piece;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of the second exemplary embodiment, wherein the fluid flow here is generated in a second direction of flow opposite to the first direction of flow; and

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a schematic side view of the second exemplary embodiment, wherein one of the blocking means is in a third position.

[0040] The figures are only of an exemplary nature and serve to understand the invention. The same elements are provided with the same reference numerals and are usually only described once.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of the flow means 100 according to the invention. The flow means 100 comprises a fan 120 enclosed by a housing 110, a radial fan here by way of example, which can be driven to rotate about its fan axis A in order to generate a pressure difference. The pressure difference results in an intake region 121 and an exhaust region 122 in the region of the fan 120 as well as a flow directed from the intake region 121 in the direction of the exhaust region 122, which flow is illustrated in the drawing by means of arrows. In the radial fan used here, the intake region 121 is always formed axially and the exhaust region 122 is radially, regardless of the direction of rotation of the fan 120. The intake region 121 and the exhaust region 122 can be locally delimited by the geometry of housing 110. The housing 110 also has two connecting pieces 130 arranged opposite one another, which are suitable for connection to a pipe and/or hose line 210 (see FIG. 4). The blocking means 140 are assigned to respective connecting pieces 130. According to the embodiment shown here, exactly one blocking means 140 is assigned to each of the two connecting pieces 130. The blocking means 140 can each be moved from an intake position PS to an exhaust position PB, wherein one of the blocking means 140 is shown in the intake position PS and the other blocking means 140 is shown in the exhaust position PB. Due to the geometry of the housing 110, intake region 121 of the fan 120 is connected to the respective connecting piece 130 in a fluid-conducting manner in the intake position PS, and the same is true for exhaust region 122 in the exhaust position PB.

[0042] For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting pieces 130 have respective intake or exhaust openings 131, 132, which are structurally separate from one another, wherein a first intake or exhaust opening 131 connects the intake region 121 and a second intake or exhaust opening 132 connects the exhaust region 122 of the fan 120 to the respective connecting piece 130 in a fluid-conducting manner. The intake or exhaust openings 131, 132 are structurally separated from one another, for example by an inner wall 133. When the fan 120 is in operation, a fluid flow can be generated in a pipe and/or hose line 210 by connecting at least one of the connecting pieces 130 thereto (see FIG. 4). The direction of flow of the fluid flow depends on the respective position PS, PB of the blocking means 140 and can be reversed by moving one blocking means 140 from the intake position PS to the exhaust position PB and the other blocking means 140 from the exhaust position PB to the intake position PS. In the illustration according to FIG. 1, the blocking means 140 are designed, for example, as shut-off valves and can be pivoted about a respective pivot axis SA between the intake position PB and the exhaust position PS, as indicated by the dashed lines.

[0043] A blocking means 140 designed as a shut-off valve can also be seen in FIG. 2, which otherwise shows a schematic front view of a connecting piece 130. The connecting piece 130 is structurally subdivided into the intake or exhaust openings 131, 132 described above by means of an inner wall 133. The blocking means 140 is in the exhaust position PB, so that the first intake or exhaust opening 131 is blocked and the second intake or exhaust opening 132 is open. The blocking means 140 can be moved from the exhaust position PB into the intake position PS by pivoting about the pivot axis SA, which is arranged in a cross-sectional area of the connecting piece 130 and extends orthogonally to the flow. In this case the reverse is true; the first intake or exhaust opening 131 is then open and the second intake or exhaust opening 132 is closed (not shown). The pivot axis SA especially expediently extends along the inner wall 133, or the blocking means 140 designed as a shut-off valve is articulated to the inner wall 133. Preferably, two blocking means 140 assigned to a respective connecting piece 130 can be operatively connected to one another, for example by means of an attachment, and thus can be driven by a single actuator, for example an actuating motor.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows the connecting piece 130 according to FIG. 2. The blocking means 140 shown here is also in the exhaust position PB but is designed as a rotation-blocking means. It has a cross-sectional area that roughly corresponds to the cross-sectional area of the connecting piece 130 as well as an opening or recess 141 extending through the cross-sectional area. In the exhaust position PB shown here, the opening or recess 141 is in alignment with the second intake or exhaust opening 132, so that the latter is open and the first intake or exhaust opening 131 is blocked. Due to rotation, in particular by 180°, about an axis of rotation RA extending orthogonally to the cross-sectional area of the connecting piece 130 and along the flow, the blocking means 140 can be moved from the exhaust position PB to the intake position PS, whereby the opening or recess 141 is brought in alignment with the first intake or exhaust opening 131, so that then, inversely, the first intake or exhaust opening 131 is opened and the second intake or exhaust opening 132 is blocked (not shown). Preferably, two blocking means 140 designed as rotation-blocking means and each assigned to a connecting piece 130 can be connected to one another via a common shaft and can thus be driven in opposite directions by a single actuator, for example an actuating motor.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows a schematic side view of a second exemplary embodiment of the flow means 100 according to the invention. The flow means 100 shown here corresponds in its basic structure to that of the first exemplary embodiment, which is why not all components are described again in detail. Deviating from the first exemplary embodiment, the fan 120 here is surrounded by a double housing, which is divided into an outer housing 112 and a fan chamber 111 located therein. Due to the double housing, a modular structure of the flow means 100 can be implemented, which simplifies the retrofitting of existing systems. The two connecting pieces 130, which lie opposite one another, are formed on the outer housing 112, while the intake or exhaust openings 131, 132, which are respectively assigned to the connecting pieces 130, are on the fan chamber 111 and can be blocked by a respective blocking means 140.

[0046] The flow means 100 can be connected directly or indirectly to a pipe and/or hose line 210 of an intake monitoring system 200, which is only roughly indicated here, via one of the connecting pieces 130. The other connecting piece 130 also opens directly or indirectly into the environment or can be connected to a return line (not shown). A plurality of intake openings, not shown here, for the respective removal of a fluid sample from a monitoring region is arranged along the pipe and/or hose line 210. A fluid flow can be generated within the pipe and/or hose line 210 in a direction of flow via the connected flow means 100. In the first direction of flow S1 which is generated here and represented by arrows, fluid samples can be suctioned through the intake openings from the monitoring regions and transported along the pipe and/or hose line 210 in the direction of a detection unit 220. The detection unit 220 here is integrated into the pipe and/or hose line 210 upstream of the flow means 100 with respect to the first direction of flow S1, but could also be connected to the opposite connecting piece 130, i.e. downstream of the flow means 100.

[0047] The illustration according to FIG. 4 shows the blocking means 140, which is assigned to the connecting piece 130 connected to the pipe and/or hose line 210, in the intake position PS, wherein the first intake or exhaust opening 131 of this connecting piece 130 is open and the second intake or exhaust opening 132 is blocked. As a result, intake region 121 of the fan 120 is connected to the pipe and/or hose line 210 in a fluid-conducting manner via the connecting piece 130, indirectly via the detection unit 220. At the other, opposite connecting piece 130, the blocking means 140 there is in the exhaust position PB, with the first intake or exhaust opening 131 of this connecting piece 130 being blocked and the second intake or exhaust opening 132 being open. Correspondingly, the pipe and/or hose line 210 is “sucked in” and “blown out” at the opposite connecting piece 130, i.e. the fluid flow is generated in the first direction of flow S1, starting from the intake openings (not shown here) in the direction of the flow means 100. This state corresponds to the normal functioning of the intake monitoring system 200, wherein fluid samples are continually suctioned in and monitored for fire or hazard parameters contained therein by the detection unit 220.

[0048] FIG. 5 shows the flow means 100 according to FIG. 4, wherein the fluid flow is reversed here, i.e. in a second direction of flow S2, starting from the flow means 100 in the direction of the intake openings (not shown). For this purpose, the blocking means 140, which is assigned to the connecting piece 130 connected to the pipe and/or hose line 210, is in the exhaust position PB, so that the exhaust region 122 of the fan 120 is connected to the pipe and/or hose line 210 via the connecting piece 130, indirectly via the detection unit 220, in a fluid-conducting manner. The blocking means 140 is in the intake position PS at the other, opposite connecting piece 130. Correspondingly, the pipe and/or hose line 210 is “blown out” and “sucked in” at the opposite connecting piece 130. The function of reversing the direction of flow or “blowing out” is mostly used in intake monitoring systems 200 for locating the fire or hazard parameters detected by the detection unit 220 by determining the runtime. Other conceivable applications are functional testing of the intake monitoring system or a cleaning function, for example by blowing out blockages.

[0049] An additional third position, a blocking position P3, in which a fluid-conducting connection between the fan 120 and the intake connection 130 is completely blocked by the blocking means 140, is shown in FIG. 6, which otherwise shows the flow means 100 according to FIGS. 4 and 5. These show that the blocking means 140, which is assigned to the connecting piece 130 connected to the pipe and/or hose line 210, blocks both the first and the second intake or exhaust opening, 131 or 132. A third and, if necessary, further positions of the blocking means 140 can be implemented especially expediently using the design as rotation-blocking means, which can be rotated about its axis of rotation RA (see FIG. 3) to move to corresponding positions PS, PB, P3. The blocking means 140 is in the intake position PS at the opposite connecting piece 130, so that suctioning is carried out into the closed housing, in particular into the closed fan chamber 111, at this connecting piece 130. By blocking the fan chamber 111 completely on one side, fixed framework conditions can be created so that the state of wear of the fan 120 can be checked or the fan characteristics can be determined.

[0050] Due to the different positions PS, PB, P3 of the blocking means 140, respective flow conditions can be created in the fluid line system of an intake monitoring system 200, which enable respective operating modes. At the same time, the use of additional fans 120 or a reversal of the direction of rotation of a fan 120 can be dispensed with.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 100 Flow means 110 Housing 111 Fan chamber 112 Outer housing 120 Fan 121 Intake region of fan 122 Exhaust region of fan 130 Connecting piece 131 First intake or exhaust opening 132 Second intake or exhaust opening 133 Inner wall 140 Blocking means 141 Opening or recess 200 Intake monitoring system 210 Pipe and/or hose line 220 Detection unit A Fan axis PS First position or intake position of the blocking means PB Second position or exhaust position of the blocking means P3 Third position or blocking position of the blocking means RA Axis of rotation S1 First direction of flow S2 Second direction of flow SA Pivot axis