FR2647209A1 - REMOTE READING AND CUTTING SYSTEM OF DOMESTIC GAS METERS - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for remotely reading and switching off household gas meters. According to the invention, it comprises a concentrator 1 to which meters 2 can be connected, by means of a cut-off valve 3 associated with each meter; the concentrator 1 is optically coupled to a portable terminal 9 by means of which one has access to all the information and by means of which one can order the opening or closing of each of the valves 3; with each meter 2 is associated a pulse transmitter which, in turn, is connected to the respective valve 3. The present invention applies to all domestic fuel gas distribution networks.

Description

The invention relates to a system for reading and cutting

  distance from domestic gas meters, based on a set of appliances

  electronic, mechanical and electromechanical

  interconnected with each other. The purpose of the system is to make it possible to remotely read a fixed number of domestic gas meters as well as to allow remote opening or closing of passage valves which are connected in series to these

counters.

  The preferred system is based on a pulse transmitter device associated with each meter and a gas solenoid valve corresponding to a patent application recently filed by the same applicant. Both

  elements (pulse transmitter and electro-

  valve) are connected in series and electrically connected to a central apparatus, which is in a place accessible to the gas distributor, where

governed the system.

  It also includes a portable optical terminal-

  connected to the central unit, the terminal by means of which all the information contained (values of the counter totalizers, system parameters, alarm status, etc.) is accessed, so that, on the basis of this terminal, may order the opening or closing of any

gate valve.

  It can be clearly understood from what has been stated that the scope of the system can be extended to all domestic gas distribution networks.

fuels.

  Before the description of the system according to the invention

  as well as its operation, a series of antecedents

  defining the current state of the art will be given.

  In this sense, it is a fact that the distributing

  The following are some of the major problems that gas has to solve: 1. Reading consumptions: we are looking for systems that make fast and reliable readings possible and that automate data processing at lower cost (less errors , decreased time between reading and billing, etc.). 2. Supply cut-off: The supplying company is often faced with a situation that forces it to stop supplying gas to a home for various reasons (for reasons of safety, improper handling of the installation of the

  user's share of unpaid invoices).

  3. Access to the subscriber's home: the development of a system making it possible to implement the aforementioned actions without having to access the user's home is of the greatest interest, as well to avoid disturbing it as for not having to meet the legal problems that may arise when the company that provides must perform the actions cited requiring access to the user's home. The equipment that currently exists is

  and answer one or more of these questions.

  tions. Thus, one can find equipment and systems that improve the reading of the counters, making it faster, systems that solve the interruption of the supply of gas from a distance, without having to enter the user's home, or systems

  that solve the two points without optimizing any of them.

  Systems developed at the global level to try to solve these three problems, that is to say, to improve the reading of the meters and to cut the supply, are summarized in three big groups, each of them including various forms of putting the three main groups are: a) Systems that improve meter readings; D) systems this remote shutdown of the

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  supply; and c) intelligent cutoff systems.

  For the first group (systems that improve meter reading), they can be summarized as follows: Manual reading systems. The simplest system uses a portable terminal instead of the notebook. Thus, the track of the readings is programmed and the employee of the company must only introduce the reading in the terminal by a keyboard. In this type of reading, it is necessary to access the place where each

  counter, with the difficulties that this may represent.

  Other systems include an encoder serving as a totalizer of the gas meter and sending remotely

  the value of the totalizer by means of electrical conductors

  to an outdoor device that can be located in a place of easy access and from which one collects

  information by a portable terminal.

  These systems make it possible to increase the productivity during the readings but nevertheless the reading must be

  performed individually, counter by meter.

Central appliances.

  A central unit is electronic equipment (usually installed in an area of easy access from the supplying company) where a set of meters is connected. With this equipment, you can read and annotate consumptions through a means of visualization, or you can read directly through a portable terminal that can be connected to the device

central.

  One of these central devices was developed in Spain by the plaintiff and has been on the market since

several years.

Radiofrequency system.

  Each counter is associated with an encoder, a

  power source and a radio receiver-transmitter

  frequency. A data receiving unit, which may be fixed or mobile, receives, upon request, the readings of the associated counters. In its current configuration, the action on the solenoid valves is not envisaged. Telephone systems. As above, except that a telephone line is used for the transmission of meter data to the supplying company. Each counter

  has a modem to perform this function.

  An important functional difference in this type of telephone transmission equipment comes from the origin of the communication, where two types of equipment are encountered: those where the call comes from the meter itself and those where the call comes from the company of

  gas that "operates" the meter and asks it to read.

  Other differences that may be encountered are that the equipment requires an exclusive switched telephone line or may share

the subscriber line.

PLC system.

  There is also equipment whose trans-

  mission is performed by modulating the data and injecting them into the power grid itself. Thus, each meter can use low voltage installation

  as a channel for the transmission of data between itself

  and a central apparatus that is installed in the low voltage medium voltage transformer station that powers the area in question. The central unit installed at the transformer station manages the readings of the counters belonging to it, and produces lists or creates archives with the respective data which are

  subsequently collected by the distributing company.

  These systems are developed in the United States

  America, Italy, Spain, Japan and France.

  In relation to the second group (systems for remote shutdown of the supply), the purpose of the latter is to allow the supply of gas to be cut off by the distributing company, without having to enter the

home of the user.

  Among the most remarkable systems to implement this function, we can notice a developed equipment in the United States, which performs the cut by means of a valve mounted in the meter and which is connected to a cable (of maximum length meters) which interconnects the valve with an external connector, through which it acts as well as by a portable terminal. The reset of this valve is manual and is performed by means of a special lever, which implies that the person authorized to

perform it can access it.

  Finally, with regard to the third group (intelligent cut-off systems), it can be said that in Japan an automated counter is manufactured which does not allow automatic reading but which contains a processor and a set of sensors making it possible to detect:

  The consumption of excessive gas flow.

  Gas consumption during periods

excessively large.

Earthquakes.

  Natural gas in the ambient atmosphere.

  Carbon monoxide in the ambient atmosphere.

  Because of these alarms, the system acts on a valve which is inside the meter and which

cuts the gas.

  It should be pointed out that this system does not allow the cutting of the remote supply by the

company.

  It can be deduced from all the above that none of the existing systems can solve simultaneously

  and satisfactorily the three fundamental questions

  laid down in principle (reading of consumptions,

  supply and access to the home of the user

  The proposed system according to the invention solves these three questions simultaneously, since it is designed to perform all the functions by a single unit.

  central office, containing the values of the totalisa-

  meters that are connected to it, allowing the reading of the information by manual means or by means of a portable terminal, including a telephone line, a PLC system or the like, if the corresponding interfaces are incorporated. , with the advantages over individual systems that the price of an interface is distributed among the meters connected to the central office. Basically, the system comprises: gas meters with corresponding emitter of volume pulses; shut-off valves; a central unit and a portable terminal, all of which must be interconnected to

  allow the purported functions and objectives.

  On the other hand, it is remote control cutoff valves that are installed in series with the meters, both as may be installed in the home of the user. By means of the same portable terminal used for reading, it is possible to reset or cut any valve. In the same way, the system itself constantly controls specific variables which cause the automatic shutdown of the corresponding valve, in the

  where its values exceed certain limits

  established validity. This is the case for: excess flow, short circuit or open circuit in the cables joining the meter or valve to the central unit, gas leakage, etc. For the realization of all the functions exhibited, it is not necessary to access the

home of the user.

  The use of a central or

  associated with the valves allows significant savings

  in the domestic gas system and the provision oe The counter individualized cut-off function allows these, with the valves, to be installed at the

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  user's home without the need for a meter headquarters and similarly allows the use of a single conduction

  general with branching for each user.

  The invention will be better understood, and other purposes, features, details and advantages thereof

  will become clearer during the description

  explanatory text which will follow with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which: FIG. 1 shows a representation of a diagram corresponding to the pulse transmitter forming part of the system according to the invention; and - Figure 2 shows a representation of the various

  blockas referring to the elements and / or appliances

  which must be associated and connected

  ment and constituting the system of the invention, including

two counters arranged in series.

  As can be seen, the system consists of a concentrator or central unit 1 to which a number of meters 2 can be connected, up to a maximum of 32, each counter 2 being associated with a special cut-off valve 3 which obviously will pass or cut the gas from the general supply pipe 4 o o depart the corresponding ramifications or ducts 5 to connect each valve 3 or meter 2. As is known, the totalizer 6 of each meter 2 will be connected to the appropriate valve of

  3. The connection of each valve 3 with the concentra-

  is carried out through a corresponding driver

  7 while between the valve 3 and the totalizer

  respective 6, there is another driver 8.

  The assembly is completed with a portable terminal 9 which is optically coupled, according to the reference 10, to

concentrator 1.

  As regards the characteristics of the gas meters 2, these may be those which are traditionally mounted in the homes of the users, as long as they are equipped with a volume pulse transmitter as shown in FIG. 1, which comprises a transmitter 11, of the type called potential-free contact, which is completed with a resistor network 12 and 12 '. This transmitter will be connected, as is

  concentrator 1, by the terminals 13 of this

  this. As the most appropriate values for resistance

  12 and 12 ', 750 ohms + 1% can be indicated for

  the resistance 12 'and 2400 ohms + 1 /% for the resistance 12.

  For its part, the concentrator 1 is an electronic device capable of supporting the connection up to a maximum of 32 gas meters (two wires each) and 32 shutoff valves (two wires each). Its functions are as follows: - Reading the values of the totalizers 6 of each of the counters 2 and visualization through

  alphanumeric display diodes available.

  - Monitoring the correct operation of the system, detecting the presence of one or more of the following alarms: Short-circuit between the cables connecting them

  to pulse emitting devices.

  Open circuit between the cables that connect them to one of the pulse emitting devices. Maximum flow through a counter, higher

at a preset limit.

  - Automatic shut-off of the duct valve where one or more of the various alarms above are detected. - Periodic monitoring of the condition of the valves 3 and automatic opening of any valve in the event of detection of a short circuit or an open circuit in

cables 7 and 8 of each valve.

  - Screening of the internal parameters of the system and transmission of the corresponding messages through the alphanumeric means of visualization:

State of the battery.

  State of random access memory of

memorizing the data.

  State of the alphanumeric medium of visualization.

  The device has a battery that allows it

  to work even if there is no network.

  The device has a non-volatile memory area or EEPROM to automatically gather the data contained in the case of a voltage drop of the network for a time longer than that of the autonomy

drums.

  The apparatus has a bidirectional infrared optical access for the connection of the portable terminal 9 through which commands can be applied to the system, and information to be received, these commands being as follows: Perform a test of the display means of

random access memory.

  Store data in the memory area

non-volatile EEPROM.

  Preset the value of the totalizer of a channel.

  Pre-establish the serial number of a meter.

  Pre-establish the value of the maximum admissible flow

for each channel.

  Clear alarms from one or all channels.

  Reset, shut off or disable a valve.

  Reading the information contained: values of

  totalizers, system states and alarms.

  The apparatus has a connector 14 which allows remote reading by the switched telephone network, a PLC or a radio channel by means of the use of a

adequate modem.

  Regarding the portable terminal 9, it can be any of those that currently exist, simply having the following minimum characteristics:

An RC232-C serial access point.

  An optical interface compatible with that of the concentrator 1.

  A sufficient amount of random access memory

  to contain the data and the program

to collect.

Claims (3)

R E V E N D I C A T I ON   1.- System for remotely reading and the remote shutdown of domestic gas meters, of the type designed to allow remote reading and cutting of a number of meters, without accessing the user's home, characterized in that it comprises an electronic concentrator (1) to which a number of counters (2) are independently electrically connected, each of said counters having a special shut-off solenoid valve, through which the connection between the concentrator and the respective counter is made; each counter likewise having a volume pulse transmitter associated with an array of resistors connected in series and in parallel; a   portable terminal (9) being optically coupled to the   traitor, said terminal for giving the respective orders of opening and closing of each of the solenoid valves (3), as well as to know the information relating to the values of the totalizers of the counters,   parameters in general, the state of the alarms.   2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic concentrator comprises a connector for connection to a modem which allows reading by the switched telephone network, a PLC or a radio channel.   3.- System according to any one of   preceding claims, characterized in that the   If the transmitter is seen from the outside, two possible values are 3150 ohms + 1% 0 or 750 ohms + 1% depending on whether the contact is open or closed, respectively.