JP2008155140A - Tube cleaning device, liquid level gage, flowmeter, and float type flowmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tube cleaning device for easily cleaning the inner wall of a tube used for a liquid level gage, etc. <P>SOLUTION: The tube cleaning device 10 related to the present invention comprises a cleaner unit 30 disposed inside the tube 6 used for the liquid level gage, etc., and an operation unit 12 for moving the cleaner unit 30 from the outside of the tube 6 using magnetic force. The operation unit 12 has magnets 16, 18 emitting magnetic line of force toward the inside of the tube 6. The cleaner unit 30 is provided with a magnetic body 34 forming a part of a magnetic circuit for passing the magnetic line of force emitted from the outside of the tube 6 and returning to the outside; a cleaning member 32 removing contaminant attached to the inner wall 8 of the tube 6; and a through-hole 38 allowing passage of fluid present in the tube 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube cleaning device that removes dirt adhering to a tube inner wall to clean the tube inner wall, and a liquid level meter, a flow meter, and a float type flow meter that include the tube cleaning device.

  Conventionally, as a liquid level gauge for measuring the amount of liquid stored in the tank, a transparent liquid level measurement tube is placed on the side of the tank, and the top and bottom of the liquid level measurement tube are connected to the tank, The liquid stored in the liquid level measuring tube is allowed to flow into the tank, and the liquid level in the tank is observed by observing the liquid level in the liquid level measuring tube. A liquid level gauge for measuring the amount is known.

  In this liquid level gauge, when the amount of liquid stored in the tank decreases, the liquid level in the liquid level measuring tube also decreases. At this time, when scales such as impurities are mixed in the stored liquid, a phenomenon is observed in which the scales adhere to the inner wall of the tube where the liquid was present.

  Once the adhered scale is dried, the scale adheres to the wall surface, so that even if the liquid level rises next time, the adhered scale remains without melting. Repeating such rising and lowering of the liquid level gradually increases the amount of sticking of the scale, and further, the sticking scale deteriorates the transparency and makes it difficult to measure the liquid level. It was.

  As one method of removing scales fixed in the tube, a special sponge ball is passed through the tube of a heat exchanger such as a refrigerator or a condenser so that the operation of the heat exchanger is not stopped. A tube auto-cleaning system is known that uses a method of washing the surface of the tube to prevent the scale from adhering to the inner surface of the tube (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a small brush that rotates at the end of a thin, flexible extension cable is installed as a washer that removes the scale attached to the inner surface of the tube, such as a condenser, evaporator, or absorber, and this small brush is cleaned. 2. Description of the Related Art A brush rotation type tube cleaning machine that cleans the inside of a tube by inserting it into a target tube and rotating it is known (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

  Further, as a device for cleaning a curved window glass from one surface side, a primary side operation tool operated so as to move along one surface of the glass, and a primary side operation tool and a magnet via the glass. The secondary side operation tool is made to follow the moving primary side operation tool and the other surface of the glass is cleaned with the secondary side operation tool. A known glass cleaning device is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The glass cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 includes a holding member that holds the magnet unit or the magnetic body unit in close contact with the operation unit according to the shape of the glass surface, as well as the magnet unit or the magnetic body unit. It is provided. In addition, both of these operation tools are provided integrally with a water supply unit having a water retention and water supply function such as felt and sponge and a cleaning unit having a water collection function with an elastic body such as a rubber wiper on the glass contact surface side. The holding member holds the water supply unit and the cleaning unit in close contact with each other according to the curved surface of the glass.
Toshiba Carrier Corporation, “Product Introduction Air Conditioning System for Buildings and Factories”, “Auto Cleaning System”, [online], [December 20, 2006], Internet <URL: http: //www.toshiba-carrier. co.jp/products/small/04/011/index_j.htm> Tea Trading Co., Ltd., “Brush rotating tube washer”, [online], [December 20, 2006], Internet <URL: http://www.ti-trading.co.jp/brush /index.html> JP 2000-41905 A

  In the tube auto cleaning system described in Non-Patent Document 1, the efficiency of the heat exchanger is reduced by the scale adhering to the tube while always maintaining the rated capacity of the heat exchanger without stopping the heat exchanger. It is preventing.

  However, the fluid in the liquid level measurement tube arranged on the side surface of the tank stays in the liquid level measurement tube, and the fluid does not circulate. As described, even if a sponge ball is mixed into the liquid, it is difficult to clean the inner surface of the liquid level measuring tube. For example, when the liquid stored in the tank is a solvent or the like, it is often impossible to mix a sponge ball having no durability with respect to the solvent.

  The tube washer described in Non-Patent Document 2 is equipped with a mechanism that constantly supplies water to the brush rotating part, so that the dirt removed by the rotating brush can be washed away with water as it is, It is said that cleaning can be performed.

  However, in order to clean the inside of the tube with the brush rotary tube washer described in Non-Patent Document 2, at least one end of the tube to be cleaned must be opened in order to insert the brush into the tube. must not. In addition, when the curvature of the tube to be cleaned is large, it is possible to clean the inner wall of the tube by inserting a brush, but when the tube is bent or piped through an elbow, etc. In that state, the tube could not be washed. Therefore, when cleaning the inside of the tube, it was necessary to disassemble the tube. In addition, it is possible to cope with a pipe having a large inner diameter, but when the inner diameter of the pipe is 10 mm or less, it is difficult to insert the brush and the inside cannot be cleaned.

  Further, the glass cleaning device described in Patent Document 1 is used for cleaning plate-like or curved glass, and is devised for cleaning the inner wall without interfering with the flow of liquid in the pipe or tube. Not.

  Therefore, conventionally, it is difficult to clean the inner wall of a thin tube or the inner wall of a tube that is difficult to disassemble. Especially when the inner wall of a tube such as a liquid level gauge or a flow meter is dirty, it is cleaned and used repeatedly. Rather than taking measures such as replacing the entire tube. However, it takes time and money to replace the tube, and depending on the type of liquid in the tube, an operation by an engineer who has expertise in replacing the tube is necessary. In addition, even when a worker with specialized knowledge performs the work, if the tube exists in a place where the work is difficult or if the liquid present in the tube is a dangerous substance, The tube replacement work was dangerous.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and a first object is to disassemble the tube at the time of cleaning without mixing a cleaning material such as a special sponge ball into the liquid in the tube, and to open the end. An object of the present invention is to provide a tube cleaning device capable of easily cleaning the inner wall of the tube while maintaining the operating state of the device without inserting a brush.

  The second object of the present invention is to provide a tube cleaning device capable of cleaning the inner wall of the tube while maintaining the operating state of the device even with a bent tube.

  The third object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level meter, a flow meter and a float type flow meter liquid level meter provided with such a tube cleaning device.

  The tube cleaning device according to the first aspect of the present invention that achieves the first object includes a cleaner unit that is disposed inside the tube to clean the inner wall of the tube, and moves the cleaner unit from the outside of the tube using magnetic force. A tube cleaning device comprising an operation unit for guiding an operation or a rotation operation, wherein the cleaner unit forms a part of a magnetic circuit that passes a magnetic line of force generated from the outside of the tube and returns it to the outside again. A body, a cleaning member for removing dirt adhered to the inner wall of the tube by contacting the inner wall of the tube, and a through-hole for allowing the fluid in the tube to pass therethrough. It has the magnet which emits a magnetic field line for inducing the cleaner unit itself toward.

  According to this invention, the magnet provided in the operation unit emits magnetic lines of force toward the inside of the tube, and the magnetic body provided in the cleaner unit passes through the lines of magnetic force and returns to the outside to form a magnetic circuit. Then, since the operation unit sucks the cleaner unit, the cleaner unit also moves or rotates following the movement or rotation of the operation unit, and the cleaner member of the cleaner unit contacts the inner wall of the tube. . As a result, the dirt adhering to the inner wall of the tube is removed by the cleaning member of the cleaner unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the cleaner unit is provided with the through hole, even if the cleaner unit is left in the tube after the cleaning is finished, the fluid in the tube passes through the through hole. It can pass through the cleaner unit freely, and does not interfere with the functions of the liquid level meter and flow meter. Further, when cleaning the inside of the tube, it is easier to remove the dirt if the liquid is present inside, and the cleaning can be easily performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the cleaner unit from the inside of the tube after the cleaning is completed.In particular, when joints are arranged at both ends of the tube, the cleaner unit can be prevented from being lost and the inner wall of the tube can be cleaned. It can be done easily at any time at the user's discretion.

  In the tube cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation unit may arrange a pair of magnets in a portion facing the tube, and connect the pair of magnets with a magnetic body that passes the lines of magnetic force. preferable.

  According to the present invention, a pair of magnets of the operation unit are arranged at a portion facing the tube, and the pair of magnets are connected to each other by a magnetic body that passes the lines of magnetic force, thereby reducing the magnetic field leaking to the outside. A closed magnetic circuit can be formed to increase the attractive force of the cleaner unit.

  Moreover, the tube cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention that achieves the first object includes a cleaner unit that is disposed inside the tube to clean the inner wall of the tube, and a cleaner unit from the outside of the tube using magnetic force. An operation unit that guides the movement or rotation of the tube, and the cleaner unit includes a magnet for generating magnetic lines of force toward the outside of the tube, and dirt adhered to the inner wall of the tube by contacting the inner wall of the tube. A cleaning member for removing the fluid, and a through-hole for allowing the fluid in the tube to pass therethrough, and the operation unit passes the magnetic line for guiding the cleaner unit itself emitted from the inside of the tube and passes the inside again. It is characterized by having a magnetic body that forms part of the magnetic circuit.

  According to this invention, the magnet provided in the cleaner unit emits magnetic lines of force toward the outside of the tube, and the magnetic body provided in the operation unit passes the magnetic lines of force and returns to the inside again to form a magnetic circuit. Then, the cleaner unit is sucked by the operation unit, the cleaner unit moves or rotates following the movement or rotation of the operation unit, and the cleaning member of the cleaner unit contacts the inner wall of the tube. . As a result, the dirt adhering to the inner wall of the tube is removed by the cleaning member of the cleaner unit.

  Further, according to the present invention, since the through hole is provided in the cleaner unit as in the second aspect, even if the cleaner unit is left in the tube after the cleaning is completed, The fluid in the tube can freely pass through the cleaner unit through the through hole, and the function as a liquid level meter or a flow meter is not hindered. Further, when cleaning the inside of the tube, it is easier to remove the dirt if the liquid is present inside, and the cleaning can be easily performed. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the cleaner unit from the inside of the tube after the cleaning is completed.In particular, when joints are arranged at both ends of the tube, the cleaner unit can be prevented from being lost and the inner wall of the tube can be cleaned. It can be done easily at any time at the user's discretion.

  In the tube cleaning apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to use a magnet formed by alternately polarizing the N pole and the S pole along the inner wall of the tube as the magnet provided in the cleaner unit.

  According to this invention, the cleaner unit and the operation unit can be reduced in size by using a magnet formed by alternately polarizing the N pole and the S pole along the inner wall of the tube as the magnet of the cleaner unit.

  In the tube cleaning apparatus according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, it is preferable that the operation unit includes an outer wall cleaning member that removes dirt attached to the outer wall of the tube by contacting the outer wall of the tube.

  According to this invention, the inner wall and the outer wall of the tube can be simultaneously cleaned by providing the operation unit with the outer wall cleaning member that is brought into contact with the outer wall of the tube.

  The tube cleaning device of the present invention that achieves the above second object is characterized in that, in the tube cleaning device according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the cleaner unit has a spherical shape.

  According to this invention, it becomes possible to clean the inner wall of the bent tube by forming the cleaner unit arranged in the tube to be cleaned into a spherical shape.

  In the liquid level gauge of the present invention that achieves the third object, the tube cleaning device of the present invention is arranged in a tube for liquid level measurement in which a boundary portion between the liquid layer and the air layer exists in the tube. It is characterized by.

  In the flow meter of the present invention that achieves the third object, the tube cleaning device of the present invention is disposed in a tube for flow measurement in which a boundary portion between a liquid layer and an air layer exists in the tube. It is characterized by.

  In addition, the float type flow meter of the present invention that achieves the third object includes a float that is movable in the vertical direction in a tapered tube whose inner diameter is changed according to the position. Further, it is arranged in a tube for flow rate measurement.

  According to the tube cleaning device of the present invention, the operation unit or the cleaner unit sucks the cleaner unit or the operation unit that is the opposing member, and follows the movement operation or the rotation operation of the operation unit or the cleaner unit, and is the opposing member. Since the cleaner unit or the operation unit also performs the moving operation or the rotating operation, the dirt attached to the inner wall of the tube can be removed by the cleaning member of the cleaner unit that is in contact with the inner wall of the tube.

  In addition, according to the tube cleaning device of the present invention, the fluid in the tube can freely pass through the cleaner unit through the through hole even if the cleaner unit is left in the tube after the cleaning is completed. It does not interfere with the function as a liquid level meter or flow meter. Also, when cleaning the inside of the tube, it is easier to clean if the liquid is inside, and it is easier to clean, so there is no need to remove the cleaner unit from the inside of the tube after cleaning. In particular, when joints are arranged at both ends of the tube, the cleaner unit can be prevented from being lost, and the inner wall of the tube can be easily cleaned at any time by the user's judgment. Furthermore, since the cleaning member can be prevented from being contaminated by using a fluorine-coated material as the cleaning member of the cleaner unit, the life of the cleaner unit can be extended.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a tank 2 for storing liquid, a tube 6 for measuring the liquid level for measuring the amount of liquid stored in the tank 2, and a tube cleaning device 10 for cleaning the inner wall 8 of the tube 6. FIG. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tube cleaning device 10 shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

  The tube 6 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is disposed beside the tank 2 for storing liquid via the elbow 4, and the liquid stored in the tank 2 is caused to flow into the tube 6 to be stored in the tank 2. The liquid storage amount is measured by measuring the height of the liquid level of the liquid flowing into the tube 6.

  The tube 6 is formed of a non-magnetic material having translucency, and is provided with a scale 7 so that the level of the liquid level in the tank 2 can be visually observed from the outside. In addition, the photoelectric sensor 50 is disposed on the side surface of the tube 6 to detect the difference in refractive index and transmittance, thereby measuring the presence of the liquid, thereby automatically adjusting the amount of fluid stored in the tank 2. Judgment can be made.

  A tube cleaning device 10 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is arranged from the outside of the tube 6 using a cleaner unit 30 disposed inside the tube 6 to scrape off dirt adhering to the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 and a suction force by magnetic force. The operation unit 12 guides the cleaner unit 30 in the vertical direction and the rotation direction.

  The operation unit 12 arranged outside the tube 6 passes through the magnetic force generated by the magnets 16 and 18 for guiding the cleaner unit 30 itself and the magnetic force generated by the magnets 16 and 18 and reduces the magnetic field leaking to the outside. A yoke 20 made of a magnetic material having the function of a magnetic shield is provided, and a handle 24 for a user to hold when the operation unit 12 is moved along the tube 6.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer peripheral surface of the cleaner unit 30 disposed inside the tube 6, a cleaning member 32 for contacting the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 to scrape off dirt adhered to the inner wall 8, and a magnet 16. , 18 is provided with a cylindrical magnetic body 34 for moving the inside of the tube 6 in conjunction with the vertical movement of the tube cleaning device 10 by passing the lines of magnetic force generated by the tube 18. By forming the cleaner unit 30 in a cylindrical shape and providing the through hole 38 in the center, the fluid in the tube 6 can pass through the cleaner unit 30 in the vertical direction.

  Next, a magnetic circuit formed between the operation unit 12 and the cleaner unit 30 will be described. The magnetic force generated by one magnet 16 of the operation unit 12 passes through the tube 6, passes through the magnetic body 34 of the cleaner unit 30, reaches the other magnet 18, and further connects the magnet 18 and the magnet 16. It passes through the body yoke 20 and returns to the magnet 16. At this time, the operation unit 12 can attract the cleaner unit 30 more strongly by forming the magnetic circuit so that more lines of magnetic force pass through the magnetic body 34.

  Thus, when the operation unit 12 outside the tube 6 is moved up and down (moved in the direction AA shown in FIG. 1), the cleaner unit 30 inside the tube 6 follows and moves up and down. When the cleaner unit 30 moves up and down in the tube 6, the cleaning member 32 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the cleaner unit 30 may come into contact with the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 to scrape off dirt adhering to the inner wall 8. it can.

  As described above, the user can easily clean the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 by moving the operation unit 12 while holding the handle 24. Further, not only is the operation unit 12 moved in the vertical direction of the tube 6 to clean the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 in the vertical direction, but the operation unit 12 is rotated along the circumference of the tube 6 (shown in FIG. 1). The inner wall 8 of the tube 6 can also be cleaned by rotating in the BB direction.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaner unit 30 is disposed inside the tube 6, and the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 is cleaned by causing the cleaner unit 30 to follow from the outside by a magnetic force. 4 and the tube 6 are disassembled to clean the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 without opening one end of the tube 6 and without mixing and circulating a sponge ball in the liquid inside the tube 6. be able to.

  Note that a material such as a brush, a sponge, or a nonwoven fabric having excellent corrosion resistance can be used as the material of the cleaning member 32. Further, when the dirt on the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 is adhesion of scale or the like, or severe clogging of the scale, the object of cleaning can be achieved by scraping off the deposit on the inner wall 8 of the tube 6. Therefore, a coating such as a fluorine coat can be used as a material for the surface of the cleaning member 32.

  When a coating such as a fluorine coat is used on the surface of the cleaning member 32, the cleaning of the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 is repeated because the cleaning member 32 itself does not become dirty even if the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 is cleaned. Even in such a case, the maintenance of the cleaning member 32 becomes unnecessary, and the use can be repeated semipermanently without disassembling the tube 6.

  In addition, the outer diameter of the cleaning member 32 is preferably set to a size so as to be in close contact with the inner wall 8 of the tube 6, but the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 can be cleaned even if there is a gap.

  As a material of the yoke 20 and the magnetic body 34, a ferromagnetic body such as iron, cobalt, nickel, etc., which has been subjected to protective plating for preventing rust, or the like can be used.

  Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation unit 12 is formed in a U-shape and has a shape in which one side surface is opened, so that the operation unit 12 can be easily removed after the cleaning of the tube 6 is completed. 6 can be removed. The central portion of the cylindrical cleaner unit 30 has a through hole 38 that allows fluid to pass through. Therefore, the cleaner unit 30 is left inside the tube 6 after cleaning is completed. However, it does not hinder the function as a liquid level meter or flow meter. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the cleaner unit 30 from the inside of the tube 6 after the cleaning is completed, and the loss of the cleaner unit 30 can be prevented, and the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 can be easily cleaned at any time by the user's judgment. It can be carried out.

  In this way, when the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 becomes dirty, anyone can easily clean it at any time, so that the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 can always be kept clean. Moreover, since there is no risk that an operator touches the liquid, a safe cleaning operation can be performed.

  For example, even when the inner wall 8 of a tube 6 such as a level gauge used in a cleaning liquid tank used in a clean room is dirty, the level gauge is not disassembled in the clean room without disassembling the level gauge. The inner wall 8 of the tube 6 can be cleaned.

  In this embodiment, a preferable member 20 is a yoke, and a magnetic circuit is formed so that more lines of magnetic force pass through the magnetic body 34 and the operation unit 12 attracts the cleaner unit 30 more strongly. If the degree of the suction is allowed to some extent, the member denoted by reference numeral 20 may be made of other materials (for example, nonmagnetic metal or plastic).

(Second Embodiment)
Next, an embodiment of the tube cleaning device 110 that simultaneously cleans the inner wall 8 and the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a view showing an embodiment in which the magnets 16 and 18 of the tube cleaning device 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided with an outer wall cleaning member 126 that cleans the outer wall 9 of the tube 6.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the tube cleaning device 110 that cleans the inner wall 8 and the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 touches a part or the entire circumference of the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 and scrapes off dirt adhered to the inner wall 8 of the tube 6. A cleaner unit 30 to be dropped, and an operation unit 112 for guiding the cleaner unit 30 from the outside of the tube 6 by using a magnetic attraction force and cleaning dirt adhered to the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 are provided.

  In addition, since the structure of the cleaner unit 30 which cleans the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 is the same as the structure shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The operation unit 112 arranged outside the tube 6 includes magnets 16 and 18 that generate an attractive force for moving the cleaner unit 30, and a magnetic shield that transmits a magnetic force generated by the magnets 16 and 18 and reduces a magnetic field that leaks to the outside. Yokes 120 and 122 having the above functions, and a handle 24 for moving the operation unit 112 in the longitudinal direction of the tube 6.

  A portion of the magnets 16, 18 facing the tube 6 is provided with an outer wall cleaning member 126 for cleaning dirt on the outer wall 9 of the tube 6. As the outer wall cleaning member 126, a material such as a sponge, a nonwoven fabric, or a brush that removes dirt while being pressed against the surface of the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 3, by providing the outer wall cleaning member 126 for cleaning the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 on the operation unit 112 side, the outer wall 9 can be cleaned simultaneously with the cleaning of the inner wall 8 of the tube 6.

  As the material of the outer wall cleaning member 126, materials such as the above-mentioned sponge, nonwoven fabric, brush, etc. can be used. When the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 is contaminated with scales, a coating such as a fluorine coat is applied. By using it, the dirt adhering to the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 can be scraped off. When a coating such as a fluorine coating is used as the outer wall cleaning member 126, the outer wall cleaning member 126 itself is not soiled. Therefore, even when the outer wall 9 of the tube 6 is repeatedly cleaned, the outer wall cleaning member 126 is cleaned. Maintenance such as replacement or replacement becomes unnecessary, and the use can be repeated semipermanently.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the yoke 120 and the yoke 122 can be detachably coupled using a wing nut 128. Therefore, when cleaning the tube 6, as shown in FIG. 3, the yoke 120 and the yoke 122 are coupled, the wall surface of the tube 6 is moved in the vertical direction or the rotation direction, and the tube 6 is cleaned. When the operation is completed, the operation unit 112 can be detached from the tube 6 by disassembling the yoke 120 and the yoke 122 by removing the wing nut 128.

  In this embodiment, a preferable member indicated by reference numerals 120 and 122 is a yoke, a magnetic circuit is formed so that more lines of magnetic force pass through the magnetic body 34, and the operation unit 112 attracts the cleaner unit 30 more strongly. However, if the degree of suction is allowed to some extent, the members 120 and 122 may be made of other materials (for example, nonmagnetic metal, plastic, etc.).

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment in which a mesh 36 is provided in the cleaner unit 30.

  When a bubble enters the inside of a tube having a small diameter, such as the tube 6 for measuring the liquid level, the bubble may stay inside the tube due to the surface tension of the liquid. Thus, if bubbles remain in the tube 6, the liquid level in the tank 2 does not match the position of the liquid level in the tube 6, and the amount of liquid stored in the tank 2 is accurately measured. This causes a problem that it cannot be performed.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, by providing a mesh 36 in the cylindrical opening of the cleaner unit 30 arranged inside the tube 6, large bubbles can be broken up into small small bubbles 39 and then raised. it can. The small bubbles 39 finely decomposed by passing through the mesh 36 reach the liquid level without cracking in the tube 6 and crack, so that the problem of bubbles remaining in the tube 6 is prevented. The liquid level can be accurately measured. The mesh 36 may be provided on both sides of the cleaner unit 30. The mesh 36 may be appropriately determined depending on the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid to be used.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 5 is a side view showing an embodiment of the spherical cleaner unit 330.

  1 to 4 show an embodiment in which the cleaner unit 30 disposed inside the tube 6 has a cylindrical shape, but in FIG. 5, it has a spherical shape. The inside of the spherical cleaner unit 330 is made of a magnetic material, and the outside is made of a cleaning member. The spherical cleaner unit 330 has a plurality of through holes 338, through which fluids and bubbles can pass. When the spherical cleaner unit 330 is moved inside the tube 6, the operation unit 12 or the operation unit 112 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be used.

  By moving the spherical cleaner unit 330 as shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to scrape off the scale adhering to the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 and severe clogging due to the scale. Furthermore, in the present invention, the cleaner unit 330 has a spherical shape, so that the inside of the tube 6 can be cleaned even when the tube 6 is bent.

  Note that a porous material can be used instead of the through hole 338. Further, instead of the spherical cleaner unit 330, a cleaner unit having a shape corresponding to the bending of the tube 6 may be disposed.

(Fifth embodiment)
In FIG. 6, the top view which looked at other embodiment of the tube cleaning apparatus which cleans the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 from upper direction is shown.

  FIG. 6 is a view of the tube cleaning device 210 for cleaning the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 as viewed from above with the tube 6 cut. The tube cleaning device 210 touches a part or the entire circumference of the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 to scrape off the dirt adhering to the inner wall 8 of the tube 6, and from the outside of the tube 6 by using a suction force by magnetic force. And an operation unit 212 for guiding the cleaner unit 230.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the cleaner unit 230 includes a cylindrical magnet 216 formed by alternately polarizing the N pole and the S pole along the inner wall 8 of the tube 6. By forming the operation unit 212 with a cylindrical magnetic body, the magnetic lines of force generated from the N pole of the magnet 216 are transmitted through the cleaning member 32, the tube 6, the operation unit 212, the tube 6, and the cleaning member 32. Since it returns to the south pole of the magnet 216, the cleaner unit 230 can attract the operation unit 212. As a result, the cleaner unit 230 moves up and down following the operation unit 212, so that the dirt adhering to the inner wall 8 of the tube 6 can be scraped off by the cleaning member 32 formed on the outer periphery of the magnet 216.

  As the magnet 216, it is desirable to use a strong magnet such as a Nd—Fe—B rare earth sintered magnet. In order to prevent the surrounding area from being magnetically affected, it is preferable that the operation unit 212 has a structure that functions as a magnetic shield.

  The tube cleaning apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to cleaning of a general rubber hose, a fluororesin-based tube, a polyvinyl chloride tube, other non-magnetic tube, or piping.

  In addition, the tube cleaning device according to the present invention is used for cleaning a tube for liquid level measurement in which a boundary portion between a liquid layer and an air layer exists in the tube, and for measuring a flow rate such as a manometer or a fluid micrometer. It can be applied to tube cleaning. A fluid micrometer uses a float-type flow meter with a float that can move in the vertical direction in a tapered tube whose inner diameter is changed according to the position of the tube. And measuring the dimensional difference between the workpiece and the master by measuring the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the gap between the workpiece and the master inserted into the workpiece.

It is an external appearance perspective view of the tube arrange | positioned at the side surface of the tank which stores a liquid, and the tube cleaning apparatus which cleans the inner wall of the tube. It is the top view which looked at the tube cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 1 from upper direction. It is the top view which looked at the tube cleaning apparatus which cleans the inner wall and outer wall of a tube simultaneously from upper direction. It is a perspective view which shows embodiment which provided the mesh | cleaner in the cleaner unit. It is a side view which shows embodiment of a spherical cleaner unit. It is the top view which looked at other embodiment of the tube cleaning apparatus from upper direction.

Explanation of symbols

2 Tank 4 Elbow 6 Tube 7 Scale 8 Inner wall 9 Outer wall 10, 110, 210 Tube cleaning device 12, 112, 212 Operation unit 16, 18, 216 Magnet 20, 120, 122 Yoke 24 Handle 30, 230, 330 Cleaner unit 32 Cleaning Member 34 Magnetic body 36 Mesh 38, 338 Through hole 39 Small bubble 50 Photoelectric sensor 126 Outer wall cleaning member 128 Wing nut

Claims (9)

A tube cleaning device comprising a cleaner unit that is arranged inside a tube and cleans the inner wall of the tube, and an operation unit that induces a moving operation or a rotating operation of the cleaner unit from the outside of the tube using magnetic force,
The cleaner unit removes dirt adhering to the inner wall of the tube by contacting the inner wall of the tube with the magnetic body that forms part of the magnetic circuit that passes the magnetic lines of force emitted from the outside of the tube and returns it to the outside again. A cleaning member that has a through hole that allows fluid in the tube to pass through,
The tube cleaning apparatus, wherein the operation unit includes a magnet that emits magnetic lines of force for guiding the cleaner unit itself toward the inside of the tube.   The tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a pair of magnets disposed in a portion facing the tube, and connects the pair of magnets with a magnetic body that allows a line of magnetic force to pass therethrough. A tube cleaning device comprising a cleaner unit that is arranged inside a tube and cleans the inner wall of the tube, and an operation unit that induces a moving operation or a rotating operation of the cleaner unit from the outside of the tube using magnetic force,
The cleaner unit includes a magnet for generating magnetic lines of force toward the outside of the tube, a cleaning member that removes dirt adhered to the inner wall of the tube by contacting the inner wall of the tube, and fluid in the tube can pass freely. Having a through-hole,
The tube cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a magnetic body that forms a part of a magnetic circuit that passes a magnetic line of force generated from the inside of the tube and returns the line to the inside again.   The tube cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a magnet formed by alternately polarizing the N pole and the S pole along the inner wall of the tube is used as the magnet.   The said operation unit is a tube cleaning apparatus of any one of Claims 1-4 provided with the outer wall cleaning member which removes the stain | pollution | contamination adhering to the outer wall of a tube by making it contact with the outer wall of a tube.   The tube cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cleaner unit has a spherical shape.   A liquid level gauge, wherein the tube cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is disposed in a tube for liquid level measurement in which a boundary portion between a liquid layer and an air layer exists in the tube. .   A flowmeter comprising: the tube cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 disposed in a tube for flow rate measurement in which a boundary portion between a liquid layer and an air layer exists in the tube.   The tube cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is arranged in a tube for flow rate measurement including a float that is movable in the vertical direction in a tapered tube whose inner diameter is changed according to a position. Float type flow meter characterized by that.

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