REMOTE MONITORING SYSTEM OF UNIAXIAL ECCENTRIC SCREW PUMP

Abstract

 In order to enable monitoring of operating conditions of a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps with monitoring means installed in a remote site, a remote monitoring system (1) is capable of sending and receiving operating condition detection information items in a communication network (N) established by wireless intercommunication means (10) provided in the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps (100). Further, the operating condition detection information items aggregated to a coordinator (10a) can be sent to the Internet via Internet connection means (30). By this means, a state is achieved in which the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps (100) can be monitored by monitoring means (50) connected to the Internet.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote monitoring system that uses a network of a wireless intercommunication type so as to enable remote monitoring on operating conditions of a plurality of installed uniaxial eccentric screw pumps.

Background Art

[0002] In the related art, a measure to detect abnormalities of pumps has been taken, for example, by using a manhole pump station management system as disclosed in Patent Literature 1. The management system according to Patent Literature 1 facilitates prediction of malfunctions of the manhole pump station so as to reduce a burden on a maintenance engineer. This management system prompts inspection based on determination that there is a high risk of malfunctions of the pumps, for example, in a case where an average operation time period per day of each of the pumps provided in the manhole pump station is predetermined times or more as long as an initial average operation time period per day in a predetermined period from installation.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003] [PTL 1] JP 2002-266421 A

Summary of Invention

Technical Problems

[0004] However, the management system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 merely performs the prediction of malfunctions of the pumps in an installation location of the pumps, and is incapable of monitoring operating conditions of the pumps from a remote site. Further, in general, a plurality of pumps, such as uniaxial eccentric screw pumps, are installed in a single installation region in many cases, and hence there have been demands for a system that is capable of integrally monitoring the pumps. However, such problems or measures to solve the problems are not disclosed or suggested at all in Patent Literature 1.

[0005] Further, in a case where the technology disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is applied to monitor the plurality of pumps with monitoring means provided in a remote site, there may be given a measure to perform one-to-one information communication between each of the pumps or sensors and the like provided to the pumps and the monitoring means. When such a measure is employed, information communication links are required as many as the pumps in order to integrally monitor the plurality of pumps. As a result, there is a problem in that a complex information communication network needs to be established. Further, there is another problem in that high initial cost for installing the information communication links as many as the pumps and high running cost for performing information communication for detecting abnormalities of the pumps are required.

[0006] In view of the circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a remote monitoring system for a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region, the system enabling operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps to be monitored with monitoring means installed in a remote site, and enabling initial cost and running cost that are required for the monitoring to be suppressed to the minimum.

Solution to Problems

[0007] According to one embodiment of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, there is provided a remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, including: monitoring means for monitoring operating conditions of a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region, the monitoring means being connected to an Internet and provided out of the predetermined region. The remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes wireless intercommunication means that are capable of wireless intercommunication; Internet connection means that is capable of connection to the Internet; and operating condition detecting means that is capable of detecting the operating conditions of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps and outputting the operating conditions of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps as the operating condition detection information items. In the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention, the wireless intercommunication means are provided to the respective plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps so as to establish a communication network to enable sending and receiving of the operating condition detection information items through intercommunication via the wireless intercommunication means. Further, the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the communication network are aggregated to information aggregation means that is constructed of one of the wireless intercommunication means and sent to the Internet via the Internet connection means, to thereby be monitored with the monitoring means.

[0008] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, an independent communication network is established by the wireless intercommunication means provided to the respective uniaxial eccentric screw pumps, and the operating condition detection information items indicating the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be sent and received via the communication network. Further, one of the plurality of wireless intercommunication means functions as the information aggregation means, and hence the operating condition detection information items sent and received within the above-mentioned communication network can be aggregated. In addition, the operating condition detection information items aggregated to the information aggregation means are sent via the Internet connection means, to thereby be monitored with the monitoring means. Thus, in the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention, even when the Internet connection means is not provided to each of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps, the operating conditions of the respective uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be monitored with the monitoring means. Thus, the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention enables installation cost and communication cost of the Internet communication means to be suppressed to the minimum.

[0009] Further, the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used not only for detecting abnormal states of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps but also for detecting decreases in output of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps so as to notify of in advance, for example, whether or not maintenance such as replacement of components is required to be performed. When the necessity of maintenance can be notified of in advance in this way, a period in which the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps need to be stopped can be suppressed to the minimum. As a result, a risk of an inevitable stoppage of a line in a factory and the like can be prevented.

[0010] Further, according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is provided based on similar findings, there is provided a remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, the uniaxial eccentric screw pump including: a driving machine that is capable of generating rotational power; a male screw type rotor that is eccentrically rotated by the rotational power transmitted from the driving machine side; and a stator that allows the male screw type rotor to be inserted therethrough and has an inner peripheral surface formed into a female screw shape. The remote monitoring system for the uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: operating condition detecting means that is capable of detecting an operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump as an operating condition detection information item; wireless intercommunication means that are provided to a part or all of a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region and are capable of sending and receiving the operating condition detection information items through wireless intercommunication; and Internet connection means for connecting a local network and an Internet to each other, the local network including the wireless intercommunication means each serving as a node. In this remote monitoring system, at least one of the wireless intercommunication means has a function of information aggregation means for aggregating the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the local network. The operating condition detection information items that are aggregated to the at least one of the wireless intercommunication means having the function of the information aggregation means are sent to the Internet via the Internet connection means. In this manner, the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be monitored with monitoring means that is connected to the Internet and provided out of the predetermined region.

[0011] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in the predetermined region can be detected with the operating condition detecting means, and output as the operating condition detection information items. Further, in this remote monitoring system, the operating condition detection information items output from the operating condition detecting means are sent and received within the local network that is established by the wireless intercommunication means as nodes, and aggregated to the at least one of the wireless intercommunication means that functions as the information aggregation means. Further, in this remote monitoring system, the operating condition detection information items aggregated to the predetermined one of the wireless intercommunication means are sent via the Internet connection means. With this, the operating condition detection information items can be monitored with the monitoring means. Thus, in the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention, even when the Internet connection means is not provided to each of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps, the results of the detection of the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be grasped with the monitoring means. Thus, the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention enables installation cost and communication cost of the Internet communication means to be suppressed to the minimum.

[0012] Further, the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention can be used not only for detecting abnormal states of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps but also for sensing behavior such as the decreases in output of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps so as to determine or notify of in advance whether or not the maintenance such as replacement of components needs to be performed, for example. When the necessity of maintenance can be determined or notified of in advance in this way, a stoppage period of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be suppressed to the minimum. As a result, a risk of an inevitable stoppage of, for example, a line in a factory can be prevented.

[0013] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention described above, it is desired that each of the wireless intercommunication means wait in a de-energized state, and be switched to an energized state to send and receive the operating condition detection information items that are detected by the operating condition detecting means.

[0014] With such a configuration, power consumption of the wireless intercommunication means can be suppressed to the minimum. With this, running cost of the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to the present invention can be suppressed to the minimum. Further, also when a portable power source such as a dry cell is used as a power source for the wireless intercommunication means, the wireless intercommunication means can be used over a long time period without replacement of the power source. With this, time and effort for maintenance can be suppressed to the minimum.

[0015] Here, the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps as monitoring objects in the remote monitoring system according to the present invention each pump a fluid substance by rotating the male screw type rotor inserted in the female screw type stator. Thus, the operating condition of each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be monitored by detecting a driving condition of the driving machine for rotating the rotor, specifically, rotational torque, a rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions of the driving machine.

[0016] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, which is provided based on the above-mentioned findings, the operating condition detecting means is capable of detecting at least one of rotational torque, a rotational frequency, and a number of revolutions of the driving machine for driving the uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

[0017] With such a configuration, the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump can be appropriately monitored.

[0018] Note that, the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps each pump a fluid substance by rotating the rotor inserted in the stator, and hence it is assumed that the stator or the rotor is abraded by use over a long time period. Further, by influence of the abrasion and the like of the stator or the rotor, it is assumed that the rotational torque, the rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions of the driving machine required for rotating the rotor fluctuates. Thus, in each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps, an appropriate value of the rotational torque, the rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions of the driving machine also fluctuates along with operating conditions. As a result, when the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps are monitored based on the rotational torque, the rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions of the driving machine, monitoring accuracy can be further enhanced by performing abnormality determination while taking measures considering the operating conditions, such as adjustment of a threshold in accordance with an elapsed operation time period, the threshold being set as a reference of the abnormality determination.

[0019] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, the operating condition detecting means may be capable of detecting an information item on a fluid substance that flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump. Specifically, the operating condition detecting means may be capable of detecting at least one of a discharge pressure and an inflow pressure of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and information items on the fluid substance as a pumping obj ect, such as physical properties of the fluid substance, and a flow rate of the fluid substance.

[0020] With such a configuration, based on the information items on the fluid substance that flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump, the operating condition of each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be accurately monitored. Further, according to the above-mentioned configuration, a failure of pumping of the fluid substance in a transportation system to which the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps are connected also can be monitored.

[0021] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention described above, it is preferred that the operating condition detecting means be capable of performing determination as to whether or not the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump is abnormal, and a result of the determination be sent and received as one of the operating condition detection information items.

[0022] In the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention, detection data items indicating the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps are not sent and received as they are. Instead, the operating condition detecting means performs the determination on the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and the result of the determination is sent. Thus, in the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention, a communication data volume in the local network can be minimized. As a result, occurrence of failures of communication and the like can be prevented.

[0023] Further, in the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, a part of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps may include the Internet connection means instead of the wireless intercommunication means, and the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the local network may be sent to the Internet via the Internet connection means.

[0024] With such a configuration, the Internet connection means provided to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump which does not include the wireless intercommunication means can be utilized as means for sending the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the local network established by the wireless intercommunication means to the Internet. Further, wireless intercommunication means needs not be additionally provided to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump which does not comprise the wireless intercommunication means. Thus, according to the above-mentioned configuration, the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump can be simplified in configuration. As a result, installation cost can be suppressed to the minimum.

[0025] In the remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is desired that the Internet connection means be capable of performing information communication via a mobile communication system.

[0026] With such a configuration, from a region in which the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps are installed, the operating condition detection information items of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be sent via the Internet connection means without using a communication network that is installed independently of the remote monitoring system according to the present invention, such as a local area network (LAN) or an intranet. In this way, the remote monitoring system according to one embodiment of the present invention can be installed without considering connection to the separately provided local area network or the like.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide the remote monitoring system for a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region, the system enabling the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps to be monitored with the monitoring means installed in a remote site, and enabling the initial cost and the running cost that are required for the monitoring to be suppressed to the minimum.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0028] 

FIG. 1 is a system schematic view of a remote monitoring system for uniaxial eccentric screw pumps according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

FIG. 3 (a) is a configuration block diagram of a computer that is connected to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump, and FIG. 3(b) is a configuration block diagram of a cell computer that is connected to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d) are images each showing an example of a pictogram that is displayed on monitoring means in a case where an abnormality in the uniaxial eccentric screw pump is detected.

FIG. 5 is a system schematic view of a remote monitoring system for uniaxial eccentric screw pumps according to a modification.

FIG. 6 (a) is an image showing a method of displaying locations of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps in which an abnormality has occurred, FIG. 6 (b) is an image showing operational behavior of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump in an abnormal condition, and FIGS. 6(c) to 6(e) are images each showing an example of a pictogram indicating an abnormal part or an abnormal condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

Description of Embodiment

[0029] Next, with reference to the drawings, detailed description is made of a remote monitoring system 1 for uniaxial eccentric screw pumps according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter also abbreviated as "remote monitoring system 1"). Note that, in the following, prior to detailed description of the remote monitoring system 1, description is made of an outline of a structure of a uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 as objects of monitoring by the remote monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment.

(Uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100)

[0030] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is a pump of what is called a rotary displacement type including a uniaxial eccentric screw pump mechanism 110 as a main part. As illustrated in FIG. 2, in the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 110, a casing 152 houses therein a stator 166, a rotor 172, a power transmission mechanism 178, and the like. The casing 152 is a cylindrical metal member, and includes a first opening portion 154 on one longitudinal end side. Further, a second opening portion 164 is provided through an outer peripheral part of the casing 152. The second opening portion 164 communicates to an interior space of the casing 152 at an intermediate portion 160 located at a longitudinal intermediate part of the casing 152.

[0031] The first opening portion 154 and the second opening portion 164 each function as a suction port and a discharge port of the pump mechanism 110. In the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, the rotor 172 is rotated in a forward direction so as to cause the first opening portion 154 and the second opening portion 164 to function respectively as the discharge port and the suction port. Further, the rotor 172 is rotated in a reverse direction so as to cause the first opening portion 154 and the second opening portion 164 to function respectively as the suction port and the discharge port.

[0032] The stator 166 is a member obtained by forming an elastic body such as rubber, a resin, or the like into a substantially cylindrical external shape. An inner peripheral wall 170 of the stator 166 is formed into a single-stage or multistage female screw shape having "n" starts. In this embodiment, the stator 166 is formed into a multistage female screw shape having two starts. Further, a through-hole 168 of the stator 166 is formed to have a substantially oblong shape in cross-section (opening shape) at any longitudinal position of the stator 166.

[0033] The rotor 172 is a metal shaft body formed into a single-stage or multistage female screw shape having n-1 starts. In this embodiment, the rotor 172 is formed into an eccentric male screw shape having a single start. The rotor 172 is formed to have a substantially perfect circular shape in cross-section at any longitudinal position. The rotor 172 is inserted through the through-hole 168 that is formed through the stator 166 in a freely eccentrically rotatable manner in the through-hole 168.

[0034] When the rotor 172 is inserted through the stator 166, an outer peripheral wall 174 of the rotor 172 and the inner peripheral wall 170 of the stator 166 are held in close contact with each other at tangents therebetween. In this state, a fluid transport path (cavity) 176 is formed between the inner peripheral wall 170 of the stator 166 and the outer peripheral wall of the rotor 172. The fluid transport path 176 helically extends in the longitudinal direction of the stator 166 and the rotor 172.

[0035] When the rotor 172 is rotated in the through-hole 168 of the stator 166, the fluid transport path 176 shifts in the longitudinal direction of the stator 166 while being rotated in the stator 166. Thus, when the rotor 172 is rotated, a fluid can be sucked from one end side of the stator 166 into the fluid transport path 176, and the fluid can be sealed in the fluid transport path 176. In this state, the fluid can be transported toward another end side of the stator 166, and discharged on the another end side of the stator 166. The pump mechanism 110 in this embodiment is used by rotating the rotor 172 in the forward direction so that a viscous liquid sucked through the second opening portion 164 can be pumped to and discharged from the first opening portion 154.

[0036] The power transmission mechanism 178 transmits power from a driving machine 196 to the rotor 172. The power transmission mechanism 178 includes a power transmission portion 180 and an eccentric rotary portion 182. The power transmission portion 180 is provided on one longitudinal end side of the casing 152. Further, the eccentric rotary portion 182 is provided in the intermediate portion 160 formed between the power transmission portion 180 and a stator mounting portion 156. The eccentric rotary portion 182 is a part connecting the power transmission portion 180 and the rotor 172 to each other so that power can be transmitted therebetween. The eccentric rotary portion 182 includes a coupling shaft 188 formed of a related-art well-known coupling rod, a screw rod, or the like. With this, the eccentric rotaryportion 182 is capable of transmitting rotational power generated by actuating the driving machine 196 to the rotor 172. In this way, the rotor 172 can be eccentrically rotated.

[0037] Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a controller 200 for operational control is connected to each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. The controller 200 includes an inverter circuit 202 and a programmable logique controller (PLC) 204. Further, for one of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 that are provided as objects of monitoring by the remote monitoring system 1, a controller 200 including a computer 210 described in detail below is used (hereinafter also referred to as "controller 200a"). Further, for others of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, controllers 200 each including a cell computer 220 described in detail below instead of the computer 210 are used (hereinafter also referred to as "controllers 200b").

(Remote monitoring system 1)

[0038] The remote monitoring system 1 is used, for example, by a manufacturer or maintenance/inspection engineers of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 so as to monitor, from a remote site, the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 that are installed in premises of a factory of a client user of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. The manufacturer or the maintenance/inspection engineers of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can use the remote monitoring system 1 for the purpose of successively grasping operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 used by the client so as to suggest appropriate maintenance timings or to immediately cope with troubles, for example.

[0039] Next, description is made of a specific configuration of the remote monitoring system 1. As illustrated in the system schematic view of FIG. 1, the remote monitoring system 1 is a system for monitoring, with monitoring means 50 installed in a remote site, the operating conditions of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 that are installed in a predetermined region such as a factory or a work place. The remote monitoring system 1 mainly includes wireless intercommunication means 10, operating condition detecting means 20, and Internet connection means 30 that are installed on the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 side, and the monitoring means 50 that is installed in the remote site.

[0040] The wireless intercommunication means 10 is a terminal installed to each of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 that are installed in a local area, and functions as a node that establishes an independent multi-hop network in the local area (hereinafter also referred to as "communication network N"). Examples of the wireless intercommunication means 10 may include node terminals that establish a wireless personal area network (PAN) . In this embodiment, ZigBee (trademark) is employed as a standard of the wireless PAN that is established in the local area. Further, the communication network N is a communication network that is uniquely established for remote monitoring on the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, and hence is independent of a network existing, for example, in the factory in which the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 are installed, such as a local area network (LAN).

[0041] Specifically, in the example in which the manufacturer or the maintenance/inspection engineers of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 use the remote monitoring system 1 so as to monitor the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 installed, for example, in the premises of the factory on the client (user) side, the communication network N is established as a communication network for communicating monitoring data in addition to the local area network (LAN) that is established in the premises by the client. Thus, in principle, the monitoring data of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 is communicated without using an information infrastructure such as the local area network (LAN) on the client side.

[0042] The wireless intercommunication means 10 mounted respectively to the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 are mainly classified as a coordinator 10a (information aggregation means), a router 10b, and an end device 10c based on their functions. The wireless intercommunication means 10 that is classified as the coordinator 10a (hereinafter also abbreviated as "coordinator 10a") has an information aggregation function to aggregate information items that are sent and received within the communication network N. Further, the wireless intercommunication means 10 that is classified as the router 10b (hereinafter also abbreviated as "router 10b") exerts a relay function in the communication network N. Still further, the wireless intercommunication means 10 that is classified as the end device 10c (hereinafter also abbreviated as "end device 10c") serves as a terminal in the communication network N, and does not exert the relay function, which is different from the router 10b.

[0043] The coordinator 10a is capable of exerting a function to start up the communication network N and a function of the router. In this way, the coordinator 10a is capable of managing operations of all the wireless intercommunication means 10 that function as the nodes in the communication network N. Further, the router 10b is incapable of starting up the communication network N, but capable of exerting the function of the router and managing an operation of the wireless intercommunication means 10 that functions as a child node of its own. The end device 10c is capable of managing an operation of its own, but incapable of starting up the communication network N or exerting the function of the router. The wireless intercommunication means 10 other than the coordinator 10a normally wait in a de-energized state, and are switched to an energized state only when information is sent and received and the like.

[0044] The operating condition detecting means 20 detect the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 and output the operating conditions as operating condition detection information items. The operating condition detecting means 20 are provided correspondingly to the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. The operating condition detecting means 20 each mainly include a detection unit 22 including various sensors, and an abnormality determination unit 24 for executing abnormality determination based on data detected by the detection unit 22.

[0045] Examples of the detection unit 22 may include a unit that is capable of detecting rotational torque, a rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions of the driving machine 196 of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100. Specifically, the unit as an example of the detection unit 22 is capable of detecting the rotational torque, the rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions based on data acquired from an inverter for controlling the drive of the driving machine 196. Alternatively, the examples of the detection unit 22 may include a sensor that is capable of detecting a discharge pressure and an inflow pressure of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, and information items on a fluid substance as a pumping object, such as physical properties (temperature, viscosity, ph, and the like) of the fluid substance, and a flow rate of the fluid substance.

[0046] The abnormality determination unit 24 determines whether or not the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is abnormal based on the data acquired by the detection unit 22. Specifically, when a data item (rotational torque, rotational frequency, number of revolutions, or the like) that indicates a drive state of the driving machine 196 does not fall within a predetermined permissible range, the abnormality determination unit 24 can determine that the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is abnormal. Further, when the information (discharge pressure, inflow pressure, physical properties, flow rate, or the like) on the fluid substance that flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 does not fall within a predetermined permissible range, the abnormality determination unit 24 can determine that the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is abnormal.

[0047] The operating condition detecting means 20 is capable of outputting, as the operating condition detection information, any one or both of the above-mentioned detected data that is acquired by the detection unit 22 and data that is obtained by processing the detected data. Examples of the data obtained based on the detected data include data that is obtained by the abnormality determination unit 24 and indicates an abnormality determination result (hereinafter also referred to as "abnormality determination data"). In this embodiment, the abnormality determination data obtained by the abnormality determination unit 24 is output as the operating condition detection information from the operating condition detecting means 20.

[0048] The above-mentioned wireless intercommunication means 10 and abnormality determination unit 24 of the operating condition detecting means 20 are unified as the cell computer 220 together with an external I/O connector and the like, and provided in this state to each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. Further, the detection unit 22 of the operating condition detecting means 20 is electrically connected to the cell computer 220. The cell computer 220 is connected to a separately provided power source such as an electric cell.

[0049] The Internet connection means 30 has a function of a gateway 32 for connecting the communication network N and the Internet to each other, and a function of a communication terminal 34 that enables information communication via the Internet by using a mobile communication system. The Internet connection means 30 may be provided in the computer 210 of the controller 200 of one of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 that are provided as monitoring objects (hereinafter also referred to as "extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 101").

[0050] Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 3, the computer 210 includes the Internet communication means 30 instead of the wireless intercommunication means 10 of the computer 220. Thus, the communication network N cannot be established between the extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 101 and any of the other uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. Meanwhile, the gateway 32 provided in the Internet communication means 30 is capable of receiving operating condition detection information items that are aggregated to and output from the wireless intercommunication means 10 having the function of the coordinator 10a in the communication network N. Further, as well as the cell computers 220, the operating condition detecting means 20 is provided also in the computer 210 for the extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100. Thus, the Internet communication means 30 can transmit, together with operating condition detection information items of the extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 101, the operating condition detection information items that are received by the gateway 32 to the Internet via the communication terminal 34.

[0051] The monitoring means 50 is a terminal such as a server or a personal computer that is connected to the Internet. In this embodiment, in the monitoring means 50, a client terminal 50b (client computer) that is a personal computer is connected in a wired or wireless manner to a server 50a so that data communication can be performed therebetween. In the monitoring means 50, the server 50a can receive the above-mentioned operating condition detection information items that are sent to the Internet via the communication terminal 34, and the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can be monitored on the client terminal 50b by using a predetermined viewer and the like.

[0052] The operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 may be displayed as letters, graphs, or what is called pictograms on the monitoring means 50. Specifically, the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 as monitoring objects may be displayed as the pictograms, and a pictogram corresponding to a uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 in which an abnormality is detected may be displayed in a different display pattern. More specifically, the pictogram corresponding to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 in which the abnormality is detected may be displayed in a different color, or may be flashed. Alternatively, warning signs using the pictograms, warning signs of other types such as the letters and the graphs, and warning using sound and the like may be used in combination. When warning is issued by using the pictograms in this way, one of a large number of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, in which an abnormality has occurred, can be intuitively grasped.

[0053] Alternatively, the abnormality that is detected in the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 may be notified of by displaying the pictograms as shown in FIGS. 4(a) to 4(d). Specifically, when jamming occurs in the suction port (second opening portion 164) of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, the rotational torque of the driving machine 196 exceeds the permissible range. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), a pictogram of the suction port (second opening portion 164) is displayed on the monitoring means 50. With this, occurrence of jamming with the fluid substance can be notified of so as to be intuitively and accurately grasped.

[0054] Similarly, in a case where the flow rate sensor is provided as the detection unit 22, when the flow rate of the fluid substance is not detected, it is assumed that the fluid substance is not flowing through the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, that is, the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is in a state of a liquidless operation. Thus, in this case, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a pictogram of the liquid transport path 176 is displayed on the monitoring means 50. With this, the state of the liquidless operation can be notified of so as to be intuitively grasped. Further, when clogging occurs in a pipe connected to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, it is assumed that the flow of the fluid substance cannot be detected by the detection unit 22. In this case, a pictogram indicating the pipe clogging is displayed as shown in FIG. 4(c). With this, the pipe clogging state can be notified of. Still further, in a case where a valve that is provided to the pipe connected to the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is closed, it is assumed that pressure exceeds a predetermined range. Thus, when a state of the high pressure exceeding the predetermined range is detected by the detection unit 22, a pictogram schematically indicating that the valve is closed is displayed as shown in FIG. 4(d). With this, the closed state of the valve can be notified of.

[0055] Further, in a case where at which part in the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 as a monitoring object an abnormality has occurred can be specified, as shown in FIG. 4(b), in the pictogram of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 in which the abnormality has occurred, apart corresponding to the abnormality may be displayed in a display pattern different from those of other parts. In this way, when the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is displayed as the pictograms that are variously classified to indicate parts at which occurrence of an abnormality is suspected, an engineer who is in charge of monitoring can intuitively and accurately grasp the parts at which the abnormality has occurred.

[0056] Still further, the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 in which an abnormality is detected may be displayed on the monitoring means 50, and then a pictogram indicating the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 may be selected, for example, by clicking thereon, to thereby display the pictogram for indicating the abnormal part as shown in FIG. 4(b). With such a configuration, in which of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 as monitoring objects an abnormality has occurred can be specified first, and then at which part the abnormality has occurred can be sequentially specified. With this, operations of specifying parts and causes of occurrence of abnormalities can be more smoothly performed.

[0057] As described above, in the remote monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment, the operating condition detection information items of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can be sent and received within the communication network N that is established by the wireless intercommunication means 10, and can be aggregated to the coordinator 10a. Further, in the remote monitoring system 1, the operating condition detection information items aggregated to the coordinator 10a are sent via the Internet connection means 30. With this, the operating condition detection information items can be monitored with the monitoring means 50. Thus, according to the remote monitoring system 1, even when communication means via the Internet is not provided to each of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can be grasped with the monitoring means 50. Thus, the remote monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment is capable of suppressing installation cost and communication cost of the Internet communication means to the minimum.

[0058] Further, in the remote monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment, the wireless intercommunication means 10 normally wait in the de-energized state, and are switched to the energized state to send and receive the information items detected by the operating condition detecting means 20. Thus, according to the remote monitoring system 1, power consumption of the wireless intercommunication means 10 can be suppressed to the minimum. As a result, running cost of the remote monitoring system 1 can be minimized. Further, also when a portable power source such as a dry cell or a small-capacity power source is used as a power source for the cell computer 220 including the wireless intercommunication means 10, the cell computer 220 can be used over a long time period without replacement of the power source. With this, time and effort for maintenance of the wireless intercommunication means 10 and the cell computers 220 including the same can be suppressed to the minimum.

[0059] Note that, in the example described in this embodiment, an electric cell is used as the power source for the cell computer 220. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a power source connected to the driving machine 196 of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 may also be used as that for the cell computer 220. Further, in the example described in this embodiment, the wireless intercommunication means 10 normally wait in the de-energized state for power saving. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the wireless intercommunication means 10 may always wait in the energized state.

[0060] As described above, in the remote monitoring system 1, when the rotational torque, the rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions of the driving machine 196 of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be detected with the detection unit 22 of the operating condition detecting means 20, the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be appropriately monitored. Further, also when the information items on the fluid substance as the pumping object, which flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, specifically, the discharge pressure, the inflow pressure, the physical properties and the flow rate of the fluid substance, and the like can be detected with the detection unit 22, the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be appropriately monitored. Still further, by monitoring the condition of the fluid substance that flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, for example, a failure of pumping in a fluid substance transportation system to which the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is connected can also be monitored.

[0061] Note that, only one of the data items such as the rotational torque, the rotational frequency, or the number of revolutions, may be detected from the driving machine 196. However, when a plurality of the data items are acquired, monitoring accuracy can be further enhanced. Similarly, only one of the information items of the fluid substance that flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 may be detected. However, when a plurality of the information items are acquired, higher monitoring accuracy can be expected. Further, only one of the information items on the driving machine 196, such as the rotational torque, and the information items on the fluid substance, such as the flow rate of the fluid substance, may be detected by the detection unit 22. However, when those information items are acquired in combination, the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be multilaterally analyzed. As a result, much higher monitoring accuracy can be expected.

[0062] Further, in the remote monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 24 is provided to each of the operating condition detecting means 20 so that whether or not the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is abnormal can be determined based on the detected data that is acquired by the detection unit 22. Further, in the remote monitoring system 1, results of the determination by the abnormality determination units 24 are sent and received as the operating condition detection information items via the wireless intercommunication means 10. Thus, in the remote monitoring system 1, a communication data volume in the communication network N can be suppressed to the minimum. As a result, occurrence of failures of communication and the like can be prevented.

[0063] Note that, in the configuration exemplified in this embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 24 is provided to the cell computer 220 that is provided to each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, and the results of the determination obtained by the abnormality determination units 24 are sent and received. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the abnormality determination unit 24 may be provided on the monitoring means 50 side that is provided in a site out of the communication network N, and the abnormality determination of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be performed on the monitoring means 50 side. In this case, the information items detected by the detection units 22 are successively sent to the monitoring means 50 side via the communication network N and the Internet. With this, whether or not the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 are abnormal can be monitored. With such a configuration, determinations of abnormalities in operations of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can be intensively performed on the monitoring means 50 side. With this, the cell computers 220 can be simplified in configuration, and hence burden required for information processes in the cell computers 220 can be reduced.

[0064] Further, in the configuration exemplified in this embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 24 is provided so that whether or not the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 is abnormal can be determined. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, without providing a unit for performing the abnormality determination, such as the abnormality determination unit 24, the information items detected by the detection unit 22 may be checked on the monitoring means 50 side.

[0065] In the above-mentioned remote monitoring system 1, an abnormal condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be detected by the abnormality determination unit 24, and checked with the monitoring means 50. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, a decrease in output of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 maybe detected based on the detected data items such as the rotational torque of the driving machine 196 or the detected data items such as the discharge pressure of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, and necessity of maintenance may be notified of in the monitoring means 50 before the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 becomes abnormal. When the necessity of maintenance can be notified of in advance in this way, a stoppage period of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 can be suppressed to the minimum. As a result, a risk of an inevitable stoppage of, for example, a line in a factory can be prevented.

[0066] Further, a single or a plurality of references (thresholds) may be used for abnormality determination by the above-mentioned abnormality determination unit 24. Further, when the plurality of references (thresholds) are set, the plurality of references (thresholds) may be set for each use such as a reference for detecting that the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 has become completely abnormal, and a reference for whether or not to prompt the maintenance of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100.

[0067] In the above-mentioned remote monitoring system 1, one of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 installed in a predetermined region such as premises of a factory (extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 101) includes the computer 210 including the Internet communication means 30 instead of the cell computer 220 including the wireless intercommunication means 10. The computer 210 is utilized as a device for sending and receiving the operating condition detection information items via the Internet. Thus, in the remote monitoring system 1, a configuration that is necessary for communication via the Internet, such as the gateway 32, needs not be additionally provided. As a result, installation cost can be suppressed to the minimum.

[0068] Note that, in the example described in this embodiment, the extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 101 including the computer 210 having the Internet communication means 30 is provided outside the communication network N, and the Internet connection means 30 of the computer 210 is connected to the Internet. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0069] Specifically, instead of providing the extra-system uniaxial eccentric screw pump 101 including the computer 210, there may be additionally provided equivalents of the gateway 32 and the communication terminal 34 that serve as the Internet communication means 30. In such a configuration, when the cell computer 220 is provided to each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, all the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can be arranged within the communication network N. Also in this case, the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the communication network N can be aggregated to the wireless intercommunication means 10 having the function of the coordinator 10a, and can be sent and received via the gateways 32 and the communication terminals 34.

[0070] The Internet connection means 30 employed in the above-mentioned remote monitoring system 1 is capable of information communication via the mobile communication system. Thus, without using communication networks such as an existing local area network (LAN) or an intranet, the operating condition detection information items can be sent and received via the Internet. In this way, the remote monitoring system 1 according to this embodiment can be installed without considering connection to the separately provided local area network or the like. Note that, in the example described in this embodiment, a unit capable of information communication via the mobile communication system is employed as the Internet connection means 30. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, when the connection to the Internet can be established even without performing the information communication via the mobile communication system, for example, in a case where the existing local area network can be used for connection to the Internet, the mobile communication system needs not be used.

[0071] In the example described in this embodiment, ZigBee (trademark) is employed as the standard of the wireless personal area network (PAN) N. However, communication configurations compliant with other standards may be employed. Specifically, the wireless intercommunication means 10 is not particularly limited as long as wireless intercommunication can be performed, and may include not only a wireless communication terminal compliant with Zigbee (trademark) but also a wireless LAN terminal.

[0072] Further, in the configuration exemplified in this embodiment, the computers 210 and 220 serve as part of the controllers 200a and 200b. However, the present invention is not limited there to. The computers 210 and 220 may be provided separately from the controllers 200a and 200b (refer to FIG. 5). With such a configuration, also in a case where the controllers 200a and 200b, which do not have the functions equivalent to those of the computers 210 and 220, are separately prepared for operating the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, when the computers 210 and 220 are provided in addition to the controllers 200a and 200b, the remote monitoring system 1 as in the above description can be established. With this, the operations of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 can be monitored via the Internet.

[0073] Further, in the configuration exemplified in this embodiment, the cell computer 220 includes the wireless intercommunication means 10. However, the cell computer 220 needs not necessarily include the wireless intercommunication means 10. Specifically, the wireless intercommunication means 10 may be independent of the cell computer 220 and the controllers 200a and 200b. Alternatively, the wireless intercommunication means 10 as a component separate from the cell computer 220 may be mounted to the controller 200a or 200b.

[0074] In this embodiment, the data items such as the rotational torque of the driving machine 196 of each of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 are received on the monitoring means 50 side from a predetermined region side such as a factory so that a manager of the remote monitoring system 1 can read results of analysis on the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) terminal, a smartphone, and the like belonging to a user of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 or an engineer who is in charge of maintenance may be used as the client terminal 50b so that an access to the server 50a side can be made when necessary by using an ID number or a password that is assigned in advance. In this way, the user, the maintenance engineer, and others may also be allowed to grasp the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100. Alternatively, when an abnormality occurs in the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 as a monitoring object, notification data for notifying of occurrence of the abnormality may be sent to the client terminal 50b belonging to the user of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, the maintenance engineer, or others, who are preregistered.

[0075] Further, in the configuration exemplified in this embodiment, the abnormality determination units 24 provided to the computers 210 and 220 perform determination of abnormalities of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 on the predetermined region side such as a factory, and results of the determination are sent to the monitoring means 50 side. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Specifically, the server 50a may have a function equivalent to those of the abnormality determination units 24. With this, the data items of the operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 are aggregated to the server 50a side of the monitoring means 50, and the determination of an abnormality is performed thereon. In this way, results of the determination can be read on the client terminal 50b.

[0076] The above-mentioned abnormality notification method using display of the pictograms is merely an example of the present invention, and an abnormality can be notified of in various other patterns using pictograms. Specifically, in a case where installation regions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 as monitoring objects are located at various sites in Japan, as shown in FIG. 6(a), marks (location indicators) that indicate locations of the installation regions on a map are displayed on a monitor of the client terminal 50b. Further, when an abnormality of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 occurs, a pattern of the display is changed, for example, by flashing the location indicator corresponding to the location, or changing a display color of the location indicator. At this time, existence of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 in the abnormal condition may be notified of by means of voice and the like.

[0077] Further, in the configuration in which the locations of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100 are displayed on the map as in FIG. 6 (a), numerical values, graphs, or the like of data items indicating operational behavior of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 in the abnormal condition may be checked, for example, by selecting (clicking on) the location indicator indicating the occurrence of the abnormality on the monitoring means 50 side as shown, for example, in FIG. 6(b). Alternatively, there may be employed a configuration in which the pictograms as shown, for example, in FIGS. 6(c) and 6(d) may be displayed by selecting (clicking on) the "ABNORMALITY CHECK" icon displayed as in FIG. 6(b) so that at which part in the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 the abnormality has occurred and of what type the abnormality is can be intuitively grasped. Specifically, in a case where supply of the fluid substance has stagnated and the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 has idled, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the idling can be notified of by displaying the indicator (indicator of "DRY" in FIG. 6(c)). Further, when clogging with the fluid substance occurs near the discharge port, a mark indicating the occurrence of the clogging near the discharge port can be displayed in an overlapping manner so that abnormal parts and abnormal conditions can be intuitively notified of.

[0078] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6(c) to 6(e), it is preferred that the pictogram indicating the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 be appropriately changed in accordance with apparatus configurations. Specifically, when the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 does not include a hopper for supplying the fluid substance, a pictogram as shown in FIG. 6(c) may be displayed, and when the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100 includes the hopper for supplying the fluid substance, a pictogram as shown in FIG. 6 (d) may be displayed. Alternatively, when a screw is provided in the intermediate portion 160 of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump 100, a pictogram as shown in FIG. 6 (e) may be displayed. In this way, by changing pictograms in accordance with the apparatus configurations of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps 100, intuitive and appropriate notifications can be issued in accordance with the apparatus configurations, such as error indication at a part corresponding to the screw in a case where a trouble occurs to the screw.

Industrial Applicability

[0079] The remote monitoring system of the present invention can be used effectively for a service of performing maintenance inspection of a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region by monitoring operating conditions of the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps with monitoring means that is installed in a remote site.

[0080] Specifically, the remote monitoring system of the present invention can be used by a manufacturer or maintenance/inspection engineers of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps so as to monitor a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in premises of a factory of a client from a remote site for the purpose of suggesting maintenance timings, or immediately coping with troubles. Further, in the remote monitoring system of the present invention, a communication network for communication of monitoring data is established by wireless intercommunication means. Thus, remote monitoring on the uniaxial eccentric screw pumps can be performed without using an information infrastructure that is installed, for example, in the premises of the factory on the client side.

Reference Signs List

[0081] 

1

remote monitoring system

10

wireless intercommunication means

10a

coordinator

10b

router

10c

end device

20

operating condition detecting means

22

detection unit

24

abnormality determination unit

30

Internet connection means

32

gateway

34

communication terminal

50

monitoring means

100

uniaxial eccentric screw pump

220

cell computer

N

communication network

Claims

1. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, comprising:

monitoring means for monitoring operating conditions of a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region, the monitoring means being connected to an Internet and provided out of the predetermined region;

wireless intercommunication means that are capable of wireless intercommunication;

Internet connection means that is capable of connection to the Internet; and

operating condition detecting means that is capable of detecting the operating conditions of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps and outputting the operating conditions of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps as the operating condition detection information items,

wherein the wireless intercommunication means are provided to the respective plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps so as to establish a communication network to enable sending and receiving of the operating condition detection information items through intercommunication via the wireless intercommunication means, and

wherein the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the communication network are aggregated to information aggregation means that is constructed of one of the wireless intercommunication means and sent to the Internet via the Internet connection means, to thereby be monitored with the monitoring means.

2. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump, the uniaxial eccentric screw pump comprising:

a driving machine that is capable of generating rotational power;

a male screw type rotor that is eccentrically rotated by the rotational power transmitted from the driving machine side; and

a stator that allows the male screw type rotor to be inserted therethrough and has an inner peripheral surface formed into a female screw shape, the remote monitoring system for the uniaxial eccentric screw pump comprising:

operating condition detecting means that is capable of detecting an operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump and outputting an operating condition detection information item based on a result of detection;

wireless intercommunication means that are provided to a part or all of a plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps that are installed in a predetermined region and are capable of sending and receiving the operating condition detection information items through wireless intercommunication; and

Internet connection means for connecting a communication network and an Internet to each other, the communication network comprising the wireless intercommunication means each serving as a node,

wherein at least one of the wireless intercommunication means has a function of information aggregation means for aggregating the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the communication network, and

wherein the operating condition detection information items that are aggregated to the at least one of the wireless intercommunication means having the function of the information aggregation means are sent to the Internet via the Internet connection means, to thereby allow the operating conditions of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps to be monitored with monitoring means that is connected to the Internet and provided out of the predetermined region.

3. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the wireless intercommunication means waits in a de-energized state, and is switched to an energized state to send and receive the operating condition detection information items that are detected by the operating condition detecting means.

4. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the operating condition detecting means is capable of detecting at least one of rotational torque, a rotational frequency, and a number of revolutions of a driving machine for driving the uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

5. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the operating condition detecting means is capable of detecting an information item on a fluid substance that flows in and out from the uniaxial eccentric screw pump.

6. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the operating condition detecting means is capable of performing determination as to whether or not the operating condition of the uniaxial eccentric screw pump is abnormal, and
wherein a result of the determination is sent and received as one of the operating condition detection information items.

7. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein a part of the plurality of uniaxial eccentric screw pumps comprises the Internet connection means instead of the wireless intercommunication means, and
wherein the operating condition detection information items that are sent and received within the communication network established through the intercommunication via the wireless intercommunication means are sent to the Internet via the Internet connection means.

8. A remote monitoring system for a uniaxial eccentric screw pump according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the Internet connection means is capable of performing information communication via a mobile communication system.

Drawing