Apparatus for shutting off flow of water through ductwork

An apparatus for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork is disclosed that is installed in an air conditioning duct in a building and closes the air conditioning duct in the event of the attack of seawater. Two upper and lower hinged door bodies disposed in the inside of the air conditioning duct are supported by a support device in the state in which the inside of the air conditioning duct is open. The opening and closing operations of the upper door body are interlocked with the opening and closing operations of the lower door body by a chain. A water intrusion detection device releases the supporting of the two upper and lower door bodies in the event of the intrusion of water. The two upper and lower door bodies are horizontally moved in the direction of water pressure when the inside of the air conditioning duct is closed.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent specification is based on Japanese patent application, No. 2014-102628 filed on May 16, 2014 in the Japan Patent Office, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork that closes air conditioning ductwork installed in a fixed structure, for example, when sea waves attack, thereby preventing seawater from intruding into a room.

2. Description of the Related Art

An air conditioning apparatus is disclosed that, in order to condition the air of each room in a fixed structure (hereinafter referred to as the “building”), supplies external air, received from an external air inlet, to the room through an inflow duct and discharges air, discharged from the room, to an outlet through an exhaust duct (see, e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-19966).

In the case where the building equipped with the air conditioning apparatus is strong because it has a reinforced concrete structure or the like, even when the building is not swept away by sea waves in the event of the attack of the sea waves, seawater intrudes from the external air inlet or outlet, installed in the building, into the room via the inflow duct or exhaust duct, thus resulting in significant damage.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A problem that the present invention attempts to solve resides in that seawater intrudes into a room via an inflow duct or an exhaust duct even when a building is not swept away by sea waves because the building is strong in the event of an attack of seawater, thus resulting in significant damage.

In order to overcome the above-described problem, an object of the present invention is to close an air conditioning duct, such as an inflow duct or an exhaust duct, when sea waves attack, thereby preventing seawater from intruding into a room.

According to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for shutting off flow of water through ductwork, the apparatus being installed in an air conditioning duct installed in a building and closing the air conditioning duct when sea waves attack, the apparatus including:

two upper and lower hinged door bodies disposed in an inside of the air conditioning duct;

a support device configured to support the two upper and lower door bodies in a state in which the inside of the air conditioning duct is open;

a chain or a belt configured to interlock opening and closing operations of the upper door body with opening and closing operations of the lower door body; and

a water intrusion detection device configured to detect intrusion of water into the air conditioning duct and release the supporting of the two upper and lower door bodies in the open state when the intrusion of water is detected;

wherein the two upper and lower door bodies are configured to be horizontally moved in a direction in which pressure of water, attributable to the intrusion of water into the air conditioning duct, is applied when the inside of the air conditioning duct is closed.

In the present invention, when seawater intrudes into the inside of the air conditioning duct due to the attack of sea waves, the water intrusion detection device detects the intrusion of the seawater and releases the supporting of the two upper and lower door bodies by the support device. The two upper and lower door bodies whose supporting has been released are closed in an interlocked manner, and thus close the inside of the air conditioning duct. The two upper and lower closed door bodies are horizontally moved by water pressure in a direction in which the water pressure is applied, and are thus pressed against airtight rubber.

In the present invention, an operation in which the two upper and lower door bodies are closed is performed using the weight of the upper door body, a counterweight mounted on the axis of rotation of the upper or lower door body, a motor, or a combination thereof.

In the present invention, when a damper is attached to a moving part of the upper or lower door body, impact when the door bodies are closed can be suppressed.

In the present invention, when the chain or belt configured to interlock the opening and closing operations of the upper door body with the opening and closing operations of the lower door body is configured to be driven by a motor, it is preferable to employ a brake configured to suppress the motor as the support device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has the object of closing air conditioning ductwork in response to the intrusion of water attributable to the attack of sea waves, thereby preventing seawater from intruding into a room in a building. The object of the present invention is achieved by detecting the intrusion of seawater into the air conditioning ductwork, closing two upper and lower door bodies, whose supporting has been released, in an interlocked manner, to thereby close the inside of the air conditioning ductwork, and horizontally moving the closed door bodies in a direction, in which water pressure is applied, to thereby press the door bodies against airtight rubber.

Embodiments

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention are described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7B.

FIGS. 1 to 3Bare diagrams illustrating a first example of an apparatus for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention, whereinFIG. 1illustrates the location of installation of the apparatus for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork,FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate the movement of door bodies when the pressure of water is applied, andFIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate an example an chain mechanism for interlocking the opening and closing operations of an upper door body with the opening and closing operations of a lower door body and a support device for supporting the two upper and lower door bodies in an open state are installed.

The apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention is installed in an air conditioning duct3in order to prevent seawater from intruding from an external air inlet, formed in a building2, into an important machine room4through the air conditioning duct3even when a building2is not swept away by sea waves in the event of the attack of sea waves.

The location of installation of the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention is not limited as long as the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork is installed in the air conditioning duct3so that it can prevent seawater from intruding into the important machine room4. For example, in an example illustrated on the left side ofFIG. 1, the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork is installed at a location near the surface of a wall of the important machine room4inside a general room5adjacent to the important machine room4. Furthermore, in an example illustrated on the right side ofFIG. 1, the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork is installed at the end of the air conditioning duct3that protrudes into the important machine room4.

Reference numeral6denotes an upper door body disposed on the upper side of the inside of the air conditioning duct3. The upper door body6is supported inside the air conditioning duct3so that the upper door body6can be rotated from a horizontal state to a downwardly vertical state using a horizontal shaft6a, protruding from both sides of the upper end of the inside of the air conditioning duct3, as a support point.

Reference numeral7denotes a lower door body disposed on the lower side of the inside of the air conditioning duct3. The lower door body7is supported inside the air conditioning duct3so that the lower door body7can be rotated from a horizontal state to a raised state in an upwardly vertical direction using a horizontal shaft7a, protruding from both sides of the lower end of the inside of the air conditioning duct3, as a support point.

That is, these upper and lower door bodies6and7are configured to close the inside of the air conditioning duct3(in a hinged manner) (in a state indicated by imaginary lines on the left sides ofFIGS. 2A and 2B) by being changed from a state in which the inside of the air conditioning duct3is open and the upper and lower door bodies6and7are horizontal (a state indicated by solid lines on the left sides ofFIGS. 2A and 2B) to a state in which the upper door body6is lowered to a downwardly vertical state and the lower door body7is raised in an upwardly vertical direction.

Furthermore, the upper door body6and the lower door body7are configured such that they are horizontally moved in a direction in which the water pressure of seawater intruding into the inside of the air conditioning duct3is applied when the air conditioning duct3is closed (see the right sides ofFIGS. 2A and 2B).

For example, in connection with the upper door body6, a skin plate8is disposed under the upper door body6in an open state so that the skin plate8can approach or be separated from the upper door body6. According to this configuration, when the upper door body6is closed and enters a downwardly vertical state, the skin plate8is horizontally moved by the water pressure of seawater, intruding into the inside of the air conditioning duct3, in a direction in which the water pressure is applied.

Furthermore, in connection with the lower door body7, a bearing portion9for the horizontal shaft7ais formed in a longitudinal hole9athat extends downwardly when the lower door body7is in an open state. According to this configuration, when the lower door body7enters a state in which the lower door body7has been raised in an upwardly vertical direction, the lower door body7is horizontally moved by the water pressure of seawater, intruding into the inside of the air conditioning duct3, in a direction in which the water pressure is applied.

Reference numeral10denotes a door stopper that is disposed downstream of the upper and lower door bodies6and7at the location of the inside of the air conditioning duct3with which the skin plate8and the back surface of the lower door body7come into contact when the upper door body6enters a downwardly vertical state and the lower door body7is raised in an upwardly vertical direction, so that they close the inside of the air conditioning duct3.

This door stopper10has ventilation openings10aand10bin the height direction above and below the center portion thereof, and is provided with airtight rubber11on the sides thereof with which the skin plate8and the back surface of the lower door body7come into contact.

Reference numeral12denotes, for example, a chain that interlocks the opening and closing operations of the upper door body6with the opening and closing operations of the lower door body7. This chain12engages with sprockets located at shaft center locations corresponding to the horizontal shafts6aand7aof the upper and lower door bodies6and7and on the upstream and downstream sides of the horizontal shaft7aof the lower door body7, respectively, i.e., a total of four sprockets13ato13d, so that the operations of the upper and lower door bodies6and7from an open state (seeFIG. 3A) to a closed state (seeFIG. 3B) can be interlocked with each other. Furthermore, a mechanism for interlocking the opening and closing operations of the upper door body6with the opening and closing operations of the lower door body7is installed outside the air conditioning duct3.

The interlocking that is performed when the upper and lower door bodies6and7are closed from an open state is performed via the chain12in such a way that when the upper door body6is rotated by its own weight by using the horizontal shaft6aas a support point, the sprocket13ainstalled at the shaft center location corresponding to the horizontal shaft6ais rotated.

An interlocking means that is employed when the upper and lower door bodies6and7are closed from an open state is not limited to a means in which the upper door body6is rotated by its own weight by using the horizontal shaft6aas a support point.

For example, as illustrated inFIG. 4A, a mean may be employed in which a torque arm14is attached to the horizontal shaft7aof the lower door body7in an open position in the state of being raised in an upwardly vertical direction and a counterweight15is mounted on the torque arm14. In this case, the closing of the air conditioning duct3is more rapidly achieved because the counterweight15aids in the rotation of the sprocket13aattributable to the rotation of the upper door body6.

Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 4B, a means may be employed in which the sprocket13dinstalled downstream of the horizontal shaft7aof the lower door body7is rotated by a motor16in forward and reverse directions.

Reference numeral17denotes a support device that normally supports the upper and lower door bodies6and7in a state in which the inside of the air conditioning duct3is open.

The configuration of the support device17is not limited to a particular configuration, such as a configuration for magnetically supporting the upper and lower door bodies6and7, as long as the support device17supports the upper and lower door bodies6and7in a state in which the inside of the air conditioning duct3is open. In this case, when maintenance and repair are taken into account, it is preferred that the support device17be installed outside the air conditioning duct3.

When the lower door body7is supported, the torque arm14also functioning as a weight that drives the lower door body7may be supported by the support device17installed outside the air conditioning duct3, as illustrated inFIG. 5A.

Alternatively, when the upper door body6is supported, a torque arm18also functioning as a weight that drives the upper door body6may be mounted on the horizontal shaft6aof the upper door body6in an open position in parallel with the upper door body6and then the torque arm18may be supported, as illustrated inFIG. 5B.

Furthermore, when interlocking that is performed in the case where the upper and lower door bodies6and7are closed from an open state is performed by the motor16, a brake that suppresses the rotation of the motor16may be used as the support device17.

Reference numeral19denotes a water intrusion detection device that is installed upstream of a location at which closing is performed by the door bodies6and7in the inside of the air conditioning duct3and detects the intrusion of water into the air conditioning duct3. When the intrusion of water is detected, the supporting of the upper and lower door bodies6and7are released (seeFIG. 1).

The water intrusion detection device19may be of one of a float type, an electric type (for example, an electric capacitance type), an electromagnetic type, and an ultrasonic type.

Of these types of devices, the float-type water intrusion detection device19is configured to transfer buoyancy attributable to the intrusion of water to the support device17, thereby releasing the supporting of the support device17. This float-type water intrusion detection device is employed in the case of a support device that performs mechanical supporting.

Furthermore, the electric capacitance-type water intrusion detection device19is configured to, when a change in electric capacitance attributable to the intrusion of water between electrodes is detected, send an electric signal to the support device17to electrically release the supporting of the support device17.

Furthermore, the electromagnetic-type water intrusion detection device19is configured to, when a change in magnetic field attributable to the intrusion of water between electrodes is detected, send an electric signal to the support device17to electrically release the supporting of the support device17.

Moreover, the ultrasonic-type water intrusion detection device19is configured to detect the presence of the intrusion of water by radiating ultrasonic waves that reflect from the surface of water and send an electric signal to the support device17to electrically release the supporting of the support device17when the intrusion of water is detected.

These electrical-type, electromagnetic-type and ultrasonic wave-type water intrusion detection devices19are employed in the case of the support device17that performs supporting by magnetic force. Furthermore, the support device17that performs supporting by magnetic force includes a brake that suppresses the rotation of a motor using magnetic force.

When the opening and closing operations of the upper door body6are interlocked with the opening and closing operations of the lower door body7by the chain12, the tension of the chain12may be adjusted by inserting turnbuckles20in the middle of the chain12, as illustrated inFIG. 6A. Alternatively, it may be possible to dispose tensioners21, instead of the turnbuckles20, in the middle of the chain12and then adjust the tension of the chain12, as illustrated inFIG. 6B.

Furthermore, for example, when the front end of a damper22that rotatably supports a base end side is rotatably attached to the torque arm14attached to the horizontal shaft7aof the lower door body7, as illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, impact that occurs when the door bodies6and7are closed can be suppressed.

According to the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention, which is configured as described above, in normal times, fresh air flowing through the air conditioning duct3enters the important machine room4, as illustrated on the left sides ofFIGS. 2A and 2B. According to the above-described configuration, there is no case where, for example, even when the building2is vibrated, the door bodies6and7are closed by the action of the support device17and thus the inside of the air conditioning duct3is closed.

Meanwhile, when seawater intrudes into the inside of the air conditioning duct3in case of emergency, the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork detects the intrusion of seawater using the water intrusion detection device19illustrated inFIG. 1and sends a signal adapted to release the supporting of the upper door body6to the support device17. When the supporting of the upper door body6is released, the upper and lower door bodies6and7are closed in an interlocked manner and thus close the inside of the air conditioning duct3, as illustrated in the right sides ofFIGS. 2A and 2B.

The skin plate8, connected with the upper door body6that has closed the inside of the air conditioning duct3, and the lower door body7are pressed against the airtight rubber11by the water pressure of seawater that has intruded into the inside of the air conditioning duct3.

The apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention can apply effective measures to only important places essentially requiring the avoidance of the intrusion of water because the measures against the intrusion of water can be taken by replacing only part of the existing air conditioning duct3.

Furthermore, the range of application of the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention is wide because the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork can be realized in small size and light weight.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples, but appropriate changes to the embodiments can be made within the scope of the technical spirit of each of the claims.

For example, although the example in which the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention is attached to the inflow duct in the embodiment, the apparatus1for shutting off the flow of water through ductwork according to the present invention may be attached to an exhaust duct.

Furthermore, although the example in which the damper22is attached to the lower door body7has been illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 7A and 7B, the damper22may be attached to the upper door body6. Furthermore, although the example in which the opening and closing operations of the upper door body6and the opening and closing operations of the lower door body7are interlocked with each other by the chain12, the interlocking may be performed using a belt. In this case, tension is adjusted using tensioners. Furthermore, it may be possible to suppress impact, occurring when the upper and lower door bodies6and7are closed, using an air cylinder instead of the damper22.

Furthermore, as the water intrusion detection device19, a volume may be imparted to the lower door body7itself, and the intrusion of water may be detected by the floating of the lower door body7resulting from buoyancy attributable to the intrusion of water. In this case, the floating force of the lower door body7is transferred by the torque arm14coaxial with the horizontal shaft7aof the lower door body7, and thus the supporting of the support device17is released by the moment of the torque arm14.

According to the present invention, the two upper and lower door bodies whose closing has been released by the detection of seawater intruding into an air conditioning duct in the event of the attack of sea waves are closed in an interlocked manner and thus close the inside of the air conditioning duct, are horizontally moved in a direction in which the pressure of water is applied, and are pressed against the airtight rubber. Accordingly, watertightness when the inside of the air conditioning duct is closed is improved and thus seawater can be prevented from intruding into a room in a building, with the result that reliable measures can be taken against the intrusion of water into an important machine room.

Note that, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Although it is to those skilled in the art, the following are disclosed as the one embodiment of this invention.Mutually substitutable members, configurations, etc. disclosed in the embodiment can be used with their combination altered appropriately.Although not disclosed in the embodiment, members, configurations, etc. that belong to the known technology and can be substituted with the members, the configurations, etc. disclosed in the embodiment can be appropriately substituted or are used by altering their combination.Although not disclosed in the embodiment, members, configurations, etc. that those skilled in the art can consider as substitutions of the members, the configurations, etc. disclosed in the embodiment are substituted with the above mentioned appropriately or are used by altering its combination.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the sprit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.