FR3031145A1 - DEVICE FOR DETECTING THE POSITION OF A PISTON OF A PNEUMATIC CYLINDER AND DEVICE FOR DISENGAGING COMPRISING SUCH A DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (10) for detecting the position of a piston of a pneumatic cylinder connected to an opening comprises: a means (105) for detachably fastening to a hollow duct connecting a chamber of a jack of the jack to a gas cartridge for supplying the gas chamber, - a sensor (110) for the temperature of the pipe positioned near the pipe and - a means (115) for determining a position of the opening as a function of the temperature received.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for detecting the position of a piston of a pneumatic cylinder and smoke extraction device of a room comprising such a device. It applies, in particular, to the securing of activity sites, industrial or residential. STATE OF THE ART In certain systems for securing a site against fires, smoke outlets are positioned high in the site so as to allow the evacuation of fumes or gas contained in this site. The opening of these outlets is controlled, for example, manually, or by an alarm center following the detection, by this control panel or a device communicating with this central, a risk in the secure place by these devices.

In particular, in some current systems, the opening or closing of an outlet is achieved by the implementation of a pneumatic cylinder receiving a gas pressurized chamber. This pressurized gas is usually stored in a gas cartridge connected by a line to the pneumatic cylinder. When the cylinder must be open or closed, the gas cartridge releases the gas in the pipe for the gas to enter a chamber of the cylinder and causes the displacement of a piston causing the opening. The disadvantage of these systems is that because of the positioning of the outlets, generally positioned out of sight or in a position difficult to see from the ground, it is easy for a user to forget that the outlet is in the open position. This can lead to water damage or unwanted intrusions of people into the site. On the other hand, these systems do not allow a user to become aware of the filling of the cartridge. Finally, no current system allows the automatic completion of maintenance of the device, that is to say with minimal human intervention. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to remedy all or part of these disadvantages. For this purpose, according to a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a device for detecting the position of a piston of a pneumatic cylinder, connected to an opening leaf, which comprises: a means of detachably fastening to a hollow pipe connecting a chamber 10 of a jack cylinder to a gas cartridge to supply the gas chamber, - a temperature sensor of the pipe positioned near the pipe and - a means for determining a position of the opening in function of the sensed temperature. With these provisions, the position of the opening is determined according to the sensed temperature, the determination being performed by the device or by another remote system and communicating with the device. In addition, the removable attachment allows movement of the device from one jack to another. This removable attachment also makes it possible to fix the device to pre-existing systems which do not have, in an integrated manner, such a device. In embodiments, the determining means determines the position as a function of a sensed temperature change. These embodiments allow detection of the position of the opening as a function of a temperature of the pipe depending on the passage of gas through this pipe. When a large variation in temperature is sensed, a change in the position of the opening position is determined. In embodiments, the determining means determines a state of the gas cartridge as a function of the sensed temperature or a sensed temperature change.

The advantage of these embodiments is that they make it possible to determine whether the gas cartridge must be changed, especially when this cartridge is empty, for example.

In embodiments, the device is secured near the gas cartridge. These embodiments make it possible to capture the temperature at a place where the temperature difference between the pipe and the outside air is more pronounced than at a remote location in which the heat exchanges have reduced this temperature difference. In embodiments, the fastening means is a clamp. The advantage of these embodiments is to implement an inexpensive and well known way to achieve fixation.

In embodiments, the temperature sensor is positioned on the attachment means to be positioned in contact with the conduit. These embodiments allow improved capture of the pipe temperature. In embodiments, the device which is the subject of the present invention comprises a means for wireless transmission of information representative of a sensed temperature or of a determined position. The advantage of these embodiments is to allow remote transmission of information representative of the position or information allowing the determination of this position.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a device for smoke extraction from a room, which comprises: a pneumatic cylinder whose piston is connected to an opening and a chamber of the jack has a gas circulation opening; hollow gas connected to the opening and at least one gas cartridge 25, the connection between the pipe and at least one cartridge being mechanically blocked by a sealed part, - a means of opening a connection for, during receiving a command by means of opening a link, opening the link between a pipe and the cartridge blocked by the sealing member and causing a flow of gas 30 in said pipe causing the opening or closing of the opening according to the cylinder chamber supplied with gas and - a device for detecting the position of the piston, object of the present invention, fixed on the pipe near the gas cartridge.

Since the aims, advantages and particular characteristics of the smoke extraction device according to the present invention are similar to those of the detection device which is the subject of the present invention, they are not recalled here. In embodiments, the device object of the present invention comprises a housing surrounding each gas cartridge, the conduit passing through a wall of the housing and the device being positioned on the pipe outside and close to the housing. These embodiments allow protection of each gas cartridge.

In embodiments, the device of the present invention comprises: - an additional opening in another chamber of the jack and - an additional line connecting the additional opening to an additional gas cartridge, - the additional gas cartridge , having a gas pressure higher than the pressure of the first cartridge, releasing the gas in the additional conduit when a sealing member blocking the connection between the additional conduit and the additional gas cartridge is moved to open that link, the gas released causing a displacement of the piston in a direction opposite to the displacement caused by the flow of gas from the first cartridge, a detection device being attached to at least one of the pipes. The advantage of these embodiments is to allow a function of opening and closing of the opening according to the gas cartridge 25 actuated. In embodiments, the device that is the subject of the present invention comprises an alarm center for receiving information transmitted by a transmission means of the detection device. These embodiments allow remote notification of a state of the sash or gas cartridge. The central alarm can then use this information to emit an alarm for example.

In embodiments, the control panel transmits an opening / closing command of the opening opening a link between a pipe and a gas cartridge to open or close the opening. The advantage of these embodiments is that they allow the alarm unit to remotely control the device object of the present invention. In embodiments, at least one gas cartridge is initially filled with carbon dioxide. These embodiments allow for improved temperature sensing, with carbon dioxide circulation causing a change in the temperature of the pipe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other advantages, aims and particular characteristics of the invention will emerge from the following nonlimiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the device which is the subject of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: which: - Figure 1 shows, schematically, a first particular embodiment of the detection device object of the present invention and - Figure 2 shows, schematically, a particular embodiment of the smoke extraction device object of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION This description is given in a non-limiting manner, each feature of an embodiment being combinable with any other feature of any other embodiment in an advantageous manner. Moreover, each parameter of an exemplary embodiment can be implemented independently of other parameters of said exemplary embodiment. Note that the term "one" is used in the sense of "at least one". It is already noted that the figures are not to scale.

FIG. 1, which is not to scale, shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the detection device 10 of the present invention. This device 10 for detecting the position of a piston of a pneumatic cylinder, connected to an opening leaf, comprises: a means 105 for detachably fixing a hollow pipe connecting a chamber of the cylinder to a gas cartridge for supplying the gas chamber, a sensor 110 of a value representative of the passage of gas in the pipe positioned near the pipe, a means 115 for determining a position of the opening as a function of the value of the sensed physical quantity; and a means 120 for wireless transmission of information representative of a value of the sensed physical quantity or of a determined position. Fixing means 105 is, for example, a clamp. This clamp is of the screw clamp type, spring clamp or wire clamp. This collar comprises a band or a wire whose length makes it possible to surround the pipe, this band or wire being fixed according to an embodiment depending on the type of clamping collar so that the device 10 is made integral with the conduct. In the case where the gas cartridge is positioned in a housing, the device 10 is preferably positioned outside and near the housing, on the conduit associated with the cartridge. The sensor 110 is, for example, a thermal probe placed in contact with the pipe when the device 10 is fixed in position on the pipe. This thermal sensor senses, for example, during the initial positioning of the device 10 on the pipe, the temperature of the pipe. This initial temperature serves as a point of comparison with the temperatures sensed thereafter, a temperature difference sensed allowing the determining means 115 to determine the position of the opening. This temperature change comes from the Joule-Thomson effect, a phenomenon in which the temperature of a gas varies when it relaxes under certain conditions, in particular when a gas cylinder, at an overpressure with respect to a gas cylinder. another volume, empties into this volume through a neck. In variants, the sensor 110 captures the temperature of the fastening means 105 integral with the pipe.

The determining means 115 is, for example, an electronic circuit configured to, depending on the temperature sensed by the sensor 110, determine the position of the opening. The positions considered, in this embodiment, are an open position and a closed position of the opening.

In variants, the determination means 115 is thermo-velocimetric, ie the electronic circuit is configured to follow the speed of variation of the temperature and compare it with a reference speed. A sudden change in temperature, a decrease in the case of the expansion of carbon dioxide, may be a sign of a percussion cartridge. During the initial operation of the device 10, a user can, in particular embodiments, configure the determination means 115 to define an initial position of the opening. The determining means 115 determines, for example, that the sash changes position when a sensed temperature difference is greater than a predetermined limit value. In variants, this predetermined limit value is adaptive. For example, if the gas in the gas cartridge causes cooling of the pipe as it passes through the pipe, the determining means 115 determines a change of position upon capturing such cooling. In simplified variants of the device 10, the determination means 115 determines that the opening is open during a temperature change. In these variants, the device 10 may also comprise a push button, not shown, operated manually whose pressure resets the detection, for example, following a change of gas cartridge. In variants, the determination means 115 determines the position of the opening as a function of a temperature variation of the captured pipe over a determined period of time. In variants, the determining means 115 determines a gas pressure in the pipe or the position of the cylinder or sash as a function of the value of the sensed physical quantity or a variation in the value of the physical quantity. received. In alternative embodiments, the determining means 115 determines a volume of the gas cartridge releasing gas into the pipe as a function of a capture time of the value of the magnitude representative of the passage of gas in the pipe. This volume of gas cartridge can also be determined as a function of the rate of change in the cooling of the pipe temperature.

In variants, the sensor 110 senses a displacement of the pipe. In these variants, the sensor 110 is, for example, an accelerometer or a gyroscope. When a displacement is detected for a duration longer than a predetermined time, the determining means 115 determines that gas has been released by the gas cartridge. This release of gas corresponds, as a function of the parameterization of the determination means 115, to the displacement of the opening from a closed position to an open position or vice versa. In variants, the sensor 110 picks up an acoustic wave propagated near the pipe, characteristic of the expansion of the gas or its passage Io in the pipe 230. In these variants, the sensor 110 is, for example, a piezoelectric sensor or a microphone, such as an electret microphone. Depending on the position of the sensor 110, in direct contact or not with the pipe 230, the characteristics of the acoustic wave are different. In variants, the determining means 115 determines the position of the cylinder or the sash according to the acoustic signature of the sensed signal. In variants, the sensor 110 captures the pressure in the pipe as a function of an acoustic wave, at least partially passing through said pipe, received.

In variants, the device 10 comprises means (not shown) for transmitting an acoustic wave, such as a loudspeaker or a micro-hammer for example. This acoustic wave is emitted through the pipe towards the sensor 110. The sensor 110 captures a deformation of the acoustic wave passing through the pipe. As long as the pipe is under normal pressure, an identical deformation of a wave is measured. When the pipe is filled with pressurized gas, the frequency or the transmission delay of the sensed wave varies depending on the characteristics of the gas and the pressure of this gas in the pipe. In variants, the sensor 110 captures a value representative of a mechanical deformation of the pipe during the passage of gas or overpressure 30 gas. In these variants, the sensor 110 is an optical sensor of the pressure in the pipe. In these variants, the device 10 comprises means (not shown) for emitting a light beam in the direction of the pipe. In these variants, the sensor 110 is an optical sensor capturing the light beam reflected on the pipe as long as the pipe is not deformed by the gas passage. When gas passes through the pipe, this pipe is deformed and the angle of reflection of the light beam on the pipe changes. When the determining means 115 detects a change in the light sensed by the optical sensor 110, the passage of gas in the pipe is determined. The transmission means 120 is, for example, an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals to or from a remote device. This remote device is, for example, a central alarm.

In variants, the transmission means 120 transmits an audible and / or visual signal. Such a means also makes it possible to signal the percussion of a gas cartridge and the state of the opening to a user located near the device 10. In variants, the transmission means 120 transmits a signal 15 representative of the state of the gas cartridge, the gas pressure in the pipe or a position of the opening. In certain particular embodiments, the transmission means 120 implements a spread spectrum technique according to a frequency spreading key. This frequency spreading key is transmitted, for example, by a mobile pairing device communicating according to signals having a local network range or less. The spectrum spreading technique used for communication with a device at a distance greater than the maximum range of the signals used to transmit the spreading key.

In variants, an alarm center remote from the device comprises the determination means. In these variants, the device 10 does not include a determination means 115 and transmits to the central station information representative of the sensed temperature or the temperature variation sensed. In variants, the device 10 comprises an autonomous power supply 30, such as a battery for example. FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the smoke extraction device that is the subject of the present invention. This device 20 for smoke removal from a room comprises: a pneumatic cylinder 205 whose piston 210 is connected to an opening 215 and a chamber 220 of the cylinder 205 has an opening 225 for the circulation of gas, a hollow pipe 230 of gas connected to the opening 225 and to at least one cartridge 235 of gas, the connection between the pipe 230 and at least one cartridge 235 being mechanically blocked by a sealed part 240, a means 245 for opening a connection when receiving a command by means 245 for opening a link, opening the link between a line 230 and the cartridge 235 blocked by the sealed part 240 and causing a circulation of the gas in said conduit 230 causing 10 the opening or closing of the opening 215 according to the chamber of the cylinder 205 supplied with gas, - an additional opening 255 in another chamber 275 of the cylinder 205 and - an additional pipe 260 connecting the additional opening 255 to a further gas cartridge 265, - the additional gas cartridge 265, releasing the gas into the additional pipe 260 when a sealing piece 270 blocking the connection between the additional pipe and the additional gas cartridge is opened, the gas released causing the piston 210 to move in a direction opposite to the displacement caused by the circulation of the gas of the first cartridge 230, - a housing 250 surrounding each gas cartridge 235, the pipe 230 passing through a wall of the housing 250, - a device 10 of the position of the piston, as described with reference to Figure 1, fixed on a pipe, 230 and / or 260, near the housing 250 25 or a sealing member 240 and near the cartridge of gas, an alarm center for receiving information transmitted by means 120 for transmitting the detection device. The pneumatic jack 205 comprises the piston 210, this piston 210 comprising a rod connected at one end to a part of the opening 215 and at another end 30 to a movable surface delimiting two chambers 220 and 275 in a cylinder of the jack 205. Each chamber, 220 and 275, has an opening, respectively 225 and 255, allowing the flow of gas to or from the chamber.

303 1 1 4 5 11 When the pressure is greater in one chamber than in the other, the moving surface is displaced, which causes a change of position of the opening. For example, if a pressurized gas is introduced into the chamber 275 closest to the opening 215, the piston 210 moves in a direction opposite to the opening 215, which causes the closure 215 to close. injection of a gas under pressure into the chamber 220 has the opposite effect. The opening 225 of the chamber 220, whose filling causes opening of the opening 215, is connected to the gas pipe 230. This gas line 230 is, for example, a copper pipe connected at one end to the gas cartridge 235. The junction between the gas cartridge 235 and the gas pipe 230 is mechanically blocked by a sealed part 240. This sealed part 240 is, for example, a seal closing the connection. The opening means 245 of the connection between the gas pipe 230 and the gas cartridge 235 opens this link when receiving an opening command 15 of this link. This opening means 245 is, for example, a striker piercing the sealed piece to release the gas present in the cartridge 230 of gas. This striker can be operated manually or by a motor. In variants, the opening means 245 causes a rotation or translation displacement of the sealed piece to allow the release of the gas from the gas cartridge 230. The opening command is, for example, of mechanical origin and coming from a joystick or a push button located on the front of the box 250, or of electronic origin and coming from the alarm center 30. This command causes the opening of a connection between a pipe, 230 or 260, and a gas cartridge, respectively 235 or 265, to open or close the opening 215. The pipe 260, the cartridge 265 and the sealing part 270 are respectively the pipe 230, the cartridge 235 and the sealing member 240. The additional cartridge 265 may have a gas pressure greater than the pressure of the first cartridge 235. In this way, even if the gas of the first 235 cartridge was released, the release of the gas from the additional cartridge 265 causes the closing of the opening 215.

In variants, the assembly formed by the chamber 220, the pipe 230 and the cartridge 235 has an additional opening for releasing the gas present in this assembly. This additional opening can be placed on the pipe 230, for example close to the opening means 245. A similar opening can be placed on the pipe 260. These openings can be controlled by means of a distribution valve, which allows to purge one of the pipes when the other pipe is subjected to an overpressure, and thus to facilitate the opening and closing of the opening 215.

The cartridges 235 and 265, for example, are filled with carbon dioxide at overpressure. The cartridges 235 and 265 are positioned in a housing 250 traversed by the pipes 230 and 260. A device 10 as described with reference to FIG. 1 is fixed on each pipe 230 and 260. When the device 10 is fixed on the pipe 230 detects a change of position, because of a sensed temperature or a temperature variation sensed, this device 10 determines that the opening 215 is in the open position. Conversely, when the device 10 fixed on the pipe 260 detects a change of position, this device 10 determines that the opening is in the closed position.

Each device 10 transmits, in the direction of the alarm center 30, a signal comprising information representative of the value of the sensed physical quantity, the state of the gas cartridge, 235 and 265, the passage of a gas and / or gas pressure in a pipe, 230 and / or 260, or a position of the opening 215 determined, the sensed temperature and / or temperature variation sensed. At least one device 10 is positioned near a sealed part 240. The alarm center 30 provides information, depending on the information received, either by lighting a light indicator or by displaying on a screen, either by controlling the transmission of an audible signal to a loudspeaker or by transmitting the information to another remote device. In variants, a single device 10 transmits the result of the detection of the two devices 10, these devices 10 communicating with each other via a wireless communication means, such as an antenna for example.

In other variants, two devices 10 are combined into a single object. Such an object comprises two fixing means to a hollow pipe, to be fixed both on the pipe managing the opening and on the pipe managing the closing of the opening. Two sensors and two determination means can be implemented and the object can also be equipped with a single transmission means. In variants of the devices described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, at least one gas cartridge is replaced or supplemented by a pneumatic compressor, this pneumatic compressor being notably used for the opening of the opening 215 in the absence of risk. Such variants allow, for example, to achieve the natural ventilation of a room. In particular, such a compressor can be implemented to automatically detect the presence of a leak in a pipe. Upon receiving a signal indicative of a command to execute a maintenance test by the device, the compressor is activated and pressurized air is injected into the line by means of opening. a link. The pressure in the pipe is increased, stabilized and measured by the sensor. If the pressure in the pipe decreases by more than a predetermined limit value during a determined measuring period, the device determines that the pipe has a leak. Information representative of the detection of a leak is then transmitted to a remote device, such as a central alarm for example. At the end of the test, the central alarm can send a command to close the opening or to purge the gas in the pipe. These variants have the advantage of allowing automation of the maintenance of the device.

Each embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be integrated in the housing, of a security system, comprising the gas cartridges.

Claims (9)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (10) for detecting the position of a piston of a pneumatic cylinder, connected to an opening leaf, characterized in that it comprises: means (105) for removable attachment to a hollow duct connecting a chamber of a actuator cylinder cylinder with a gas cartridge for supplying the gas chamber, a sensor (110) for the temperature of the pipe positioned near the pipe and means (115) for determining a position of the opening in function of the temperature sensed. 2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the means (115) determination determines the position as a function of a temperature variation sensed. 3. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the means (115) for determining determines a state of the gas cartridge as a function of the sensed temperature or a temperature variation sensed. 4. Device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, which comprises means (120) for wireless transmission of information representative of a sensed temperature or a specific position. 5. Device (20) for smoke removal from a room, characterized in that it comprises: a pneumatic jack (205) whose piston (210) is connected to an opening (215) and a chamber (220) of the cylinder present an opening (225) for gas circulation, a pipe (230) hollow with gas connected to the opening and at least one cartridge (235) of gas, the connection between the pipe and at least one cartridge being mechanically blocked by a watertight piece (240), means (245) for opening a connection for, upon receipt of a command by the means for opening a link, opening the link between a 303 1 1 4 5 15 pipe and the cartridge blocked by the sealed piece and cause a flow of gas in said pipe causing the opening or closing of the opening according to the cylinder chamber supplied with gas and - a device (10) for detecting the position of the piston, according to one of claims 1 to 4, attached to the pipe near the cartridge gas. 6. Device (20) according to claim 5, which comprises a housing (250) surrounding each cartridge (235) of gas, the pipe (230) passing through a wall of the housing and the device (10) being positioned on the pipe to the outside and close to the case. 10 7. Device (20) according to one of claims 5 or 6, which comprises: - an opening (255) additional in another chamber of the cylinder (205) and - an additional pipe (260) connecting the opening (255) additional to an additional gas cartridge (265), the additional gas cartridge, having a gas pressure higher than the pressure of the first cartridge (135), releasing the gas in the additional pipe when a sealed piece (270) ) blocking the connection between the additional pipe and the additional gas cartridge is opened, the released gas causing the piston (210) to move in a direction opposite to the displacement caused by the gas flow of the first cartridge, a device (10) ) of detection being attached to at least one of the conduits. 8. Device (20) according to one of claims 4 to 7, which comprises an alarm center (30) for receiving information transmitted by means (120) for transmitting the detection device (10). 9. Device (20) according to claim 8, wherein the central alarm (30) transmits a command opening / closing of the opening resulting in the opening of a connection between a pipe and a gas cartridge. to open or close the opening.