JP2002104600A - Method of monitoring residual kerosine amount in kerosine tank for use in kerosine supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and quickly monitor a residual kerosine amount in a kerosine tank in a kerosine supply system. SOLUTION: An integrating flowmeter provided on a supply pipe for each of kerosine consumers includes a means for measuring an increment in an integrated flow rate within a duration. A kerosine tank, the supply pipe and the kerosine consumer are classified into a group for each tank, while each group includes a meter reading disk for summing increments in integrated flow rates for all customers belonging to the group, and each of the groups and a centralized supervisory center are connected via a communication line. The increment measuring means is reset each time kerosine is supplied to the kerosine tank for each group. Thereafter, an increment in the integrated flow rates is measured by the increment measuring means and a total of the increments is obtained by the meter reading disk. When the total reaches a predetermined value, need of supplying kerosine to the tank is informed to the centralized supervisory center from the meter reading disk. If the number of customers constituting a group is one, the increment measuring means also serves as a means for summing up the increments.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a kerosene supply system for kerosene consumers, and more particularly to a monitoring of a kerosene remaining amount in a kerosene tank used in the kerosene supply system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art
The supply of kerosene used as fuel in ordinary households,
This is done by each kerosene consumer (each household, etc.) individually purchasing small quantities from kerosene suppliers in portable tanks and the like. In this case, kerosene is injected into each kerosene-burning device, for example, a device tank of an oil water heater or an oil heater in each household.

In recent years, however, kerosene tanks are installed in advance outdoors, for example, on the ground or underground, for each household or for a group of a plurality of homes, and kerosene is supplied from the kerosene tank to kerosene-burning equipment of each household through kerosene piping. The system to do it is beginning to spread. Although such a kerosene supply system requires an initial investment, once the system has been constructed, the kerosene supply company supplies kerosene to each household, collects tolls from each household, and collects each household's fees. There is an advantage that the supply of kerosene to the kerosene-burning equipment in the above becomes easy.

In this system, kerosene can be replenished to the kerosene tank only by using a tank lorry to the kerosene tank in which the remaining kerosene amount has become too small. To this end, the change (change) in the kerosene remaining amount in the tank is grasped. Needs to be monitored (monitored). If the amount of kerosene is insufficiently understood, there is a risk of an unexpected situation such as the supply of kerosene to each household being interrupted. In the ground, there is a life and death problem due to the stoppage of the heating equipment, so monitoring the remaining amount of kerosene in the tank is an important matter for system operation.

[0005] Such monitoring of the remaining amount of kerosene in the tank is directly performed by equipping each kerosene tank with an oil meter or an oil level gauge, and constantly outputting a signal to a kerosene supplier. However, in this case, it is necessary to provide a detection facility for each tank and a communication line between the detection facility and a kerosene supplier, thereby increasing the cost of the apparatus.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to easily and quickly monitor the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank in a kerosene supply system.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a kerosene supplier supplies kerosene from a kerosene tank to a kerosene consumer via a kerosene supply pipe to a kerosene demander. A method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank used in a supply system, wherein the kerosene supply pipe is provided with an integrating flow meter for each kerosene user, and the integrating flow meter is used within a required time. The kerosene tank, the kerosene supply pipe and the kerosene demander are provided with an increment measuring means for measuring the increment of the integrated flow rate, and the kerosene demander is connected to the kerosene supply pipe by a group for each kerosene tank. Each of the groups is provided with an increment summing means for summing increments of the integrated flow rate for all the kerosene consumers belonging to the group, and each of the groups, the kerosene supplier and Is After the supply of kerosene to the kerosene tank, for each of the groups, an increment of the integrated flow rate is measured by the increment measuring means, and an increment total value is obtained by the increment summing means. When the increment total value reaches a predetermined value, the increment total means notifies the kerosene supplier of the necessity of replenishing the kerosene tank to the kerosene tank via the communication line. A method for monitoring the remaining amount of kerosene in a kerosene tank is provided.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the kerosene supplier has a computer, and the computer is connected to the incremental summing means. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication line is a telephone line or a wireless communication line. In one embodiment of the present invention, the number of kerosene consumers belonging to at least one of the groups is one, and the increment measuring unit also serves as the increment totaling unit for the group.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the kerosene tank is supplied with kerosene, the increment measuring means is reset. In one embodiment of the present invention, a signal corresponding to a predetermined value of the increment total value is transmitted to the group via the communication line.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing one embodiment of a method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank in a kerosene supply system according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a single-family house 62 in which a kerosene consumer lives is provided with a kerosene tank 60 installed on the ground for each house, and an apartment house 63 in which the kerosene consumer lives is installed underground. A large kerosene tank 61 is provided. The kerosene tank 60 and the indoor pipe of the detached house 62 are connected by a kerosene supply pipe 64 and the kerosene tank 6
A kerosene supply pipe 65 is connected between 1 and an indoor pipe of each house in the apartment house 63. Kerosene combustion equipment such as an oil heater (fan heater, etc.) and an oil water heater are connected to the indoor piping of each house.

At each kerosene consumer's house, kerosene integrated flow meters 68, 69 are interposed between the pipes 64, 65 and the indoor pipes. The integrating flow meters 68 and 69 are described in, for example,
This is an indirectly heated thermal flow meter as described in Japanese Patent No. 18566, and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the integrated flow rate of kerosene flowing in the kerosene flow passage. In this flow meter,
An electric circuit (detection circuit) including a bridge circuit is used to obtain an electric output corresponding to the flow rate of the fluid (details will be described later). The integrated flow rate output signals of the integrated flow meters 68 and 69 are connected to a computer in the centralized monitoring center of the kerosene supplier 76 via telephone lines or wireless communication lines 70 and 71.

Although only the kerosene consumer who receives kerosene supply from the two kerosene tanks 60 and 61 has been described above, the same applies to kerosene consumers (not shown) that receive kerosene supply from some other kerosene tanks (not shown). It is. One group is formed by the kerosene tank 60, the kerosene supply pipe 64, and the kerosene consumer of the detached house 62, and another group is formed by the kerosene tank 61, the kerosene supply pipe 65, and all the kerosene consumers of the apartment house 63. Two groups are formed. That is, a group is formed for each kerosene tank.

FIG. 2 is a further schematic block diagram of the present embodiment. In this figure, the connection between the integrating flow meter of each kerosene consumer and the centralized monitoring center is shown separately for each house size of the kerosene consumer. In the case of a detached house, the integrating flow meter is connected to a central monitoring center via an NCU (network control unit). In the case of a small apartment house of about 16 houses, the integrating flow meter of each house is connected to a centralized monitoring center via a meter board. In the case of a large-scale apartment house of 16 or more units, the integrating flow meter of each unit is connected to the centralized monitoring center via a repeater and a meter reading board.

Each of the integrating flow meters is connected to an alarm device for notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the supply of kerosene. This alarm may be attached to the integrating flow meter,
It may be arranged in a living room. Each integrating flow meter is also connected to a solenoid valve of a kerosene supply pipe to stop the supply of kerosene to kerosene-burning equipment in the room when an abnormality occurs in kerosene supply. This solenoid valve may be attached to the integrating flow meter, or may be separately arranged upstream or downstream of the integrating flow meter.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection example between a meter (integrated flow meter) of each house and a meter reading board in the case of a small apartment house, and FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the example of a connection form of a flow meter), a repeater, and a meter-reading board. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the repeater, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the meter reading board. The repeater is used when the distance is too large to directly connect the meter of each house and the meter reading board. RS4
Reference numeral 85 denotes a data transmission interface.

In the case of a multi-family house, the meter reading panel enables centralized meter reading based on a signal relating to the flow rate emitted from the meter of each house in order to save the trouble of reading the meter for each house one by one. That is, by communicating with the integrating flow meter via the RS485 and the terminal block, the CPU board can collectively grasp the flow rate of all the target houses, and can display it in a desired format on the display unit. At the time of meter reading, the meter reader can collect data on the integrated flow rate and the like via the connector. The CPU board is connected to a telephone-compatible NCU for communication with a computer in the centralized monitoring center via a telephone line, and a PHS / mobile phone-compatible NCU for wireless communication with the centralized monitoring center. .

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the entire configuration of the integrating flow meter, particularly a flow rate detecting system. The ends of the fin plates 24, 24 'of the flow rate detection unit 4 and the fluid temperature detection unit 6 extend into the fluid flow passage 3 formed in the flow passage member 2. The fin plates 24, 24 'extend through the center of the cross section in the fluid flow passage 3 having a substantially circular cross section. Fin plate 24, 24 '
Are arranged along the flow direction of the fluid in the fluid (kerosene) flow passage 3, so that the flow rate detection unit 22 and the fluid temperature detection unit 2 are not greatly affected by the fluid flow.
Good heat transfer between 2 'and the fluid is possible. The direction of fluid flow in the fluid flow passage 3 is indicated by an arrow.

A DC voltage V1 is supplied from a power supply circuit (not shown) to a bridge circuit (detection circuit) 40. The bridge circuit 40 is a thin film temperature sensing element 4 for flow rate detection of the flow rate detection unit 4.
1 and thin film temperature sensing element 4 for temperature compensation of fluid temperature detection unit 6
1 ′ and resistors 43 and 44. The potentials Va and Vb at points a and b of the bridge circuit 40 are input to the differential amplification / integration circuit 46.

On the other hand, the DC voltage V2 from the power supply circuit is supplied to the thin film heating element 48 via a transistor 50 for controlling the current supplied to the thin film heating element 48 of the flow rate detection unit 4. That is, in the flow rate detecting unit 22, the fin plate 2
Under the influence of the heat absorption by the fluid to be detected via 4, the thin-film temperature sensing element 41 performs temperature sensing. Then, as a result of the temperature sensing, the potential Va, at the points a and b of the bridge circuit 40,
Vb difference is obtained.

The value of (Va-Vb) changes as the temperature of the flow sensing temperature sensing element 41 changes according to the flow rate of the fluid. By appropriately setting the resistance values of the resistors 43 and 44 of the bridge circuit 40 in advance, the value of (Va−Vb) can be made zero in the case of a desired fluid flow rate serving as a reference. At this reference flow rate, the output of the differential amplification / integration circuit 46 is constant (a value corresponding to the reference flow rate), and the resistance value of the transistor 50 is also constant. In this case, the partial pressure applied to the thin-film heating element 48 is also constant, and the voltage at the point P at this time indicates the reference flow rate.

When the fluid flow rate increases or decreases, the output of the differential amplifying / integrating circuit 46 has a polarity (depending on the positive or negative of the resistance-temperature characteristic of the flow rate detecting temperature sensing element 41) in accordance with the value of (Va-Vb). And the output of the differential amplifying / integrating circuit 46 changes accordingly.

When the flow rate of the fluid increases, the temperature of the temperature sensing element 41 decreases, so that the differential amplification / integration is performed so as to increase the calorific value of the thin-film heating element 48 (ie, increase the power). From the circuit 46, a control input to the base of the transistor 50 is made so as to reduce the resistance value of the transistor 50.

On the other hand, when the fluid flow rate decreases, the temperature of the flow rate detecting temperature sensing element 41 rises, so that the thin film heating element 4
In order to reduce the heat value of the transistor 8 (that is, reduce the power), the differential amplification / integration circuit 46 provides a control input to the base of the transistor 50 so as to increase the resistance value of the transistor 50.

As described above, the heat generation of the thin-film heating element 48 is feedback-controlled so that the temperature detected by the flow sensing element 41 always becomes the target value regardless of the change in the fluid flow rate. At this time, the thin film heating element 48
(Voltage at point P) corresponds to the fluid flow rate, and is taken out as a flow rate output.

The flow rate output is A / D converted by the A / D converter 52, integrated by the CPU 54, and displayed by the integrated flow rate display section 56. In addition, CPU
From 54, an electric signal corresponding to the integrated flow rate is transmitted to the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 via communication lines 70 and 71 such as a telephone line and a wireless communication line.

In the present embodiment, the integrating flow meter has a second counter different from the first counter 57 relating to the original integrated flow rate calculation. This second counter is used for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in the kerosene tank, and constitutes an increment measuring means for measuring the increment of the integrated flow rate within the required time.
It can be reset as appropriate.

First, monitoring of the remaining amount of kerosene in the kerosene tank 60 of the detached house 62 will be described. In this case, along with the installation of the kerosene tank 60, as a default setting, the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 sends the CPU 54 of the integrating flow meter the capacity value v of the kerosene tank 60 and the kerosene residue for the kerosene tank. The minimum permissible value v _{0 of the} quantity (which may be normalized by the capacity value v, ie, a ratio to the capacity value v) is output. The minimum allowable value v ₀ is the kerosene tank 6
Taking into account the possible time until kerosene replenishment to 0 and kerosene consumption per unit period by kerosene consumers, kerosene replenishment can be performed reliably before the kerosene remaining amount in the tank becomes zero. Set to value. When the kerosene tank 60 is supplied with kerosene to the kerosene tank 60 by the tank lorry 77 and filled to the full, the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 is input to the computer of the integrating flow meter to output a full signal from the computer, The CPU 54 resets the second counter based on this. In the case where the minimum allowable value v ₀ of kerosene remaining amount is changed due changing the subsequent kerosene supply delivery plan, updated value of the minimum allowable value v ₀ of kerosene remaining with the output of the full signal is outputted Is done.

In the CPU 54 of the integrating flow meter, a second value corresponding to the difference between the capacity value v of the kerosene tank 60 and the minimum allowable value v ₀ is determined.
The count value C ₀ of the counter 58 is calculated. Then, when the count value of the second counter 58 reaches C ₀ , the CPU 54 of the integrating flow meter notifies the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 that the kerosene remaining amount has reached the minimum allowable value v _0. A signal is output.

In this case, the second counter 58 constitutes an increment measuring means and also constitutes an increment summing means for summing up the increment of the integrated flow rate for all the kerosene consumers belonging to the group. At the time of the initial setting, a signal corresponding to a predetermined value (v−v ₀ ) of the increment total value is transmitted to the CPU 54 via the communication line.

Next, monitoring of the remaining amount of kerosene in the kerosene tank 61 of the apartment house 63 will be described. In this case, along with the installation of the kerosene tank 61, as a default setting, the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 sends the capacity value v of the kerosene tank 61 and the kerosene residue for the kerosene tank to the CPU board of the meter reading board. Minimum permissible value v _{0 of the} quantity (normalized by the capacity value v, that is, may be a ratio to the capacity value v)
Is output. The minimum allowable value v ₀ is determined in consideration of a possible time until the supply of kerosene to the kerosene tank 61 and kerosene consumption per unit period of all kerosene consumers of the apartment house 63,
The value is set such that kerosene can be reliably supplied before the remaining amount of kerosene in the tank becomes zero. When the kerosene tank 60 is supplied to the kerosene tank 60 by the tank lorry 77 to fill the kerosene tank 60 and fill the kerosene tank 60 with the kerosene tank 60, the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 receives the CPU5 of the integrating flow meter from the computer.
The full signal is output to the CPU 4, and the CPU 54 resets the second counter 58 based on the full signal. In the case where the minimum allowable value v ₀ of kerosene remaining amount is changed due changing the subsequent kerosene supply delivery plan, updated value of the minimum allowable value v ₀ of kerosene remaining with the output of the full signal is outputted Is done.

In the CPU board of the meter reading board, the kerosene tank 6
1 corresponding to the difference between the capacitance value v of 1 and the minimum allowable value v ₀ .
Counter (however, only those related to the meter reading board) 58
Calculates a count total value C _00. When the count total value of all the second counters 58 reaches C ₀₀ , the CPU board of the meter reading board informs the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 that the kerosene remaining amount has reached the minimum allowable value v _0. Is output.

In this case, the meter reading board constitutes an increment totaling means, and at the time of initial setting, a signal corresponding to a predetermined value (v-v ₀ ) of the increment total value is transmitted via a communication line. C
It is transmitted to the PU board.

As described above, in the computer of the kerosene supplier 76, the remaining amount of each kerosene tank is set to the minimum allowable value v _0.
Is received, the tank lorry 77 supplies the kerosene tank to the kerosene tank involved in the generation of the notification signal in accordance with the replenishment plan.

The measurement of the kerosene integrated flow rate by the integrated flow meter of each house is performed by calculation using a first counter, and the value is calculated by the meter reader for each billing period (for example, one month). From the integrating flow meter or from the meter reading board of each apartment house. Alternatively, the value is stored in the communication lines 70 and 7
It is also possible to output to the computer of the kerosene supplier 76 through 1 and collectively from the computer.

As described above, it is possible to quickly and easily detect the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank in a kerosene central supply system without frequently visiting the kerosene tank and checking the kerosene remaining amount. And the kerosene tank can be appropriately replenished with kerosene.

The signal output from the integrating flow meter to the alarm device and the solenoid valve shown in FIG. 2 is abnormal because the flow pattern detected by each integrating flow meter deviates from a preset one. This is done when it is detected. Detection of such a flow pattern abnormality is performed based on an abnormality detection program installed in each integrating flow meter.

The integrating flow meter in the method of the present invention is not limited to the one using the thermal flow sensor described in the above embodiment.

[0040]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Without having to stop at the kerosene tank frequently and check the kerosene level, the kerosene level in the kerosene tank in the kerosene supply system can be detected using the kerosene consumer's integrating flow meter, and if necessary. It can be performed quickly and easily by using a meter reading board, and it is possible to efficiently supply kerosene appropriately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an embodiment of a method for monitoring the remaining amount of kerosene in a kerosene tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for monitoring the remaining amount of kerosene in a kerosene tank according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection example of an integrating flow meter and a meter reading board of each house in a small apartment house.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection example of an integrating flow meter, a relay, and a meter reading board of each house in the case of a large-scale apartment house.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a repeater.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a meter reading board.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the integrating flow meter, particularly a flow detection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Flow path member 3 Fluid flow path 4 Flow rate detection unit 6 Fluid temperature detection unit 22 Flow rate detection unit 22 'Fluid temperature detection unit 24, 24' Fin plate 40 Bridge circuit (detection circuit) 41 Thin film temperature sensing element for flow rate detection 41 ' Temperature compensation thin-film thermosensitive element 43,44 Resistor 46 Differential amplification / integration circuit 48 Thin-film heating element 50 Transistor 60,61 Kerosene tank 62 Detached house 63 Apartment house 64,65 Kerosene supply pipe 68,69 Kerosene integrated flow meter 70,71 Communication line 76 Kerosene supplier 77 Tank truck

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank used in a kerosene supply system in which a kerosene supplier supplies kerosene to kerosene consumers from a kerosene tank via a kerosene supply pipe, The kerosene supply pipe is provided with an integrating flow meter for each kerosene consumer, and the integrating flow meter includes an increment measuring means for measuring an increment of the integrated flow rate within a required time. The kerosene supply pipe and the kerosene demander are divided into groups for each kerosene tank connected to the kerosene demander by the kerosene supply pipe, and each of the groups includes all the kerosene demands belonging to the group. The total flow rate for each of the users is provided, and each of the groups and the kerosene supply company are connected via a communication line, and for each of the groups, to the kerosene tank Light After refueling,
The increment measuring means measures an increment of the integrated flow rate to obtain an increment total value by the increment totaling means, and when the increment total value reaches a predetermined value, the increment totaling means sends the kerosene supplier to the kerosene supplier. A method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank, comprising reporting to the kerosene tank the need to replenish kerosene to the kerosene tank via the communication line. 2. The kerosene remaining amount monitoring in the kerosene tank according to claim 1, wherein the kerosene supplier has a computer, and the computer is connected to the increment summing means. Method. 3. The method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank according to claim 1, wherein the communication line is a telephone line or a wireless communication line. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the number of kerosene consumers belonging to at least one of the groups is one, and for the group, the increment measuring means also functions as the increment totaling means. The method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank according to claim 1. 5. When replenishing kerosene to the kerosene tank,
The method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining in a kerosene tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the increment measuring means is reset. 6. The kerosene tank according to claim 1, wherein a signal corresponding to a predetermined value of said increment total value is transmitted to said group via said communication line. A method for monitoring the amount of kerosene remaining inside.