JP2005189216A - Flow rate measuring device and abnormality deciding method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flow rate measuring device and an abnormality deciding method that can conduct exact abnormality decision, by suspending the abnormality judgment during mixed status of air and gas being produced. <P>SOLUTION: By using an acoustic transducer a TD1 and a TD2, a μCOM14 intermittently measures gas flow rate in gas passage and measures the passage flow rate of the gas, based on the measured flow rate. Also, the μCOM14 decides the occurrence of an abnormality in a gas flow rate, on the basis of the measured velocity. At this time, the deciding of abnormalities in the flow rate is suspended, while the mixed status of the air and the gas is being produced. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device that measures a gas flow rate based on a gas flow rate measured intermittently, and an abnormality determination method for the flow rate measuring device.

  As the flow rate measuring device described above, for example, there is an ultrasonic flow rate measuring device using an ultrasonic flow rate sensor disclosed in Patent Document 1. The ultrasonic flow rate measuring device constitutes an ultrasonic flow rate sensor by two acoustic transducers composed of, for example, a piezoelectric vibrator that operates at an ultrasonic frequency arranged at a predetermined distance in the gas flow path. .

  Then, the ultrasonic signal generated by one transducer is alternately received by the other transducer, and the time during which the ultrasonic signal propagates between the transducers in the gas flow direction and in the direction opposite to the gas flow direction is measured. The flow rate of the gas is obtained intermittently based on the difference between the two measured propagation times, and the passage flow rate is obtained by multiplying the flow rate by the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path and the intermittent time. Further, an electronic gas meter can be configured by displaying the integrated flow rate obtained by integrating the passing flow rate.

In recent years, electronic gas meters, in addition to the function of measuring the flow rate of the gas passing through the gas flow path described above, have an abnormal gas flow rate such as a gas leak, or a flow rate sensor such as an ultrasonic flow rate sensor. In the case of a measurement abnormality in which the flow velocity cannot be measured accurately due to a failure or the like, an increasing number have a shutoff function that shuts off the gas supply through the gas flow path by closing the gas shutoff valve. With this blocking function, the safety and reliability of the electronic gas meter can be improved.
Japanese Patent Publication No.7-119638

  By the way, the gas flow path in the electronic gas meter described above is not necessarily filled with air or supply gas at the time of shipment, and there may be a state where air and supply gas are mixed. In addition, even when it is filled with air at the time of shipment, it is necessary to perform a replacement operation to replace the air in the flow path in the gas meter with the supply gas by using a combustor provided on the downstream side of the gas meter at the time of installation. There may be a case where air and supply gas are mixed during this replacement operation.

  However, it has been found that the flow velocity sensor described above cannot normally measure the flow velocity only when air and supply gas are mixed. In particular, ultrasonic flow velocity sensors cannot receive ultrasonic signals normally only during this mixing, and thus cannot normally measure the flow velocity.

  For this reason, in the conventional electronic gas meter, there is a possibility that the flow rate abnormality such as gas leakage does not occur but it is erroneously determined that the flow rate abnormality occurs due to the mixture. By the way, when the gas meter is shipped, it is in a low power consumption state and is in a “shipping mode” in which the gas shut-off valve is closed. When the gas meter is installed, it is necessary to cancel the “shipping mode” and open the gas shut-off valve. When the gas shut-off valve is opened, it is necessary to perform a safety check for return to open the gas shut-off valve only when it is safe, while confirming whether or not a flow rate abnormality such as gas leakage has occurred.

  If mixing occurs during the return safety check and it is determined that the flow rate abnormality has occurred as described above, there arises a problem that the gas cutoff valve cannot be opened.

  Further, in the conventional electronic gas meter, there is a problem in that it is determined that a measurement abnormality has occurred due to the mixture and the interruption is performed even though the flow rate sensor has not failed.

  Therefore, the present invention pays attention to the above-mentioned problems, and makes an accurate abnormality determination by not performing the abnormality determination while it can be determined that a mixed state of air and gas is occurring. It is an object of the present invention to provide a flow measurement device and an abnormality determination method that can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 1, which has been made in order to solve the above problem, is a flow rate measuring means for intermittently measuring a gas flow rate in a gas flow path, and a flow rate for measuring a gas flow rate based on the measured flow rate. A flow rate measurement device comprising: a measurement unit; and an abnormality determination unit that determines whether a gas flow rate abnormality has occurred based on the measured flow velocity, wherein air and supply gas are contained in the gas flow path. A mixture determination unit that determines whether or not a mixed state has occurred, and a stop that stops the determination of the flow rate abnormality by the abnormality determination unit while the mixture determination unit determines that the mixture is occurring The present invention resides in a flow rate measuring device further comprising means.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the flow velocity measuring means intermittently measures the gas flow velocity in the gas flow path. The flow rate measuring means measures the gas flow rate based on the measured flow velocity. The abnormality determining means determines whether or not a gas flow rate abnormality has occurred based on the measured flow velocity. The mixing determination means determines whether or not a state where air and supply gas are mixed in the gas flow path has occurred. The stop means stops the determination of the flow rate abnormality by the abnormality determination means while the mixture determination means determines that the mixture is occurring. Accordingly, it is possible to stop the determination of the flow rate abnormality based on the measured flow velocity during the mixing in which the flow velocity cannot be accurately measured.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the flow rate measuring device according to the first aspect, wherein the gas shut-off valve that shuts off the gas supply through the gas flow path by closing the valve and the gas according to a shipping mode release operation. After the shut-off valve is opened, the flow rate measuring device further comprises return safety confirmation means for closing the gas shut-off valve when the abnormality determining means determines that the flow rate is abnormal.

  According to invention of Claim 2, a gas shut-off valve interrupts | blocks the gas supply through a gas flow path. The return safety confirmation means opens the gas shut-off valve in response to the shipping mode release operation, and then closes the gas shut-off valve when the abnormality judging means determines that the flow rate is abnormal. Therefore, it is determined that the flow rate is abnormal based on the measured flow rate during mixing in which the flow rate cannot be measured accurately, and the return safety check means does not close the gas shutoff valve.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the flow rate measuring device according to claim 2, wherein when the shipping mode release operation is performed, measurement by the flow velocity measuring means is disabled or measured by the flow velocity measuring means. The flow rate measuring apparatus further includes a mixture detection unit that starts detection of the presence / absence of the mixture based on a flow velocity, and the mixture determination unit performs the determination based on a detection result of the mixture detection unit. .

  According to the invention described in claim 3, immediately after the shipment mode canceling operation, if the measurement by the flow velocity measuring means is impossible or the flow velocity can be measured, the measurement abnormality or the flow abnormality is detected. The possibility that the flow velocity cannot be measured due to the mixture of supply gas and air is more likely than the possibility that it has occurred. Paying attention to this, when the shipping mode release operation is performed, the mixed detection means starts detection of the presence or absence of mixing based on the state where measurement by the flow velocity measuring means is disabled or the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measuring means, The mixing determination unit makes a determination based on the detection result of the mixing detection unit. Therefore, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not a mixed state has occurred by the mixing determination unit.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the flow rate measuring apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the mixed detection unit is configured so that the state in which the flow velocity measurement by the flow velocity measurement unit can be performed continues for a predetermined number of times or a predetermined number of times or more. When the measured flow velocity does not fluctuate continuously, it detects the absence of mixing, and the mixing determination means, from the shipping mode release operation until the mixing detection means detects the absence of mixing, It exists in the flow measuring device characterized by determining that the mixed state has generate | occur | produced.

  According to the invention of claim 4, when the state where the flow rate measurement by the flow rate measuring unit can be measured for a predetermined number of times or when the flow rate measured continuously for the predetermined number of times has not changed. , Detect no mixing. The mixing determination unit determines that a mixed state has occurred from the shipment mode release operation until the mixing detection unit detects no mixing. Therefore, while there is a high possibility that the mixture is occurring immediately after the shipment mode is released, it is possible to determine that the mixture is in progress and not make an abnormality determination. In addition, when a state in which measurement is possible or a state in which the flow rate does not fluctuate continues and no mixing is detected, it is determined that mixing is not in progress, and abnormality determination can be performed.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the flow rate measuring device according to claim 4, wherein the absence of mixture is not detected by the mixture detection means continuously from the shipping mode release operation for a first predetermined time or more. Further, the present invention resides in a flow rate measuring device further comprising shipping mode return means for returning to the shipping mode again.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the shipping mode returning means returns to the shipping mode again when no mixing is detected by the mixing detecting means for a first predetermined time or more after the shipping mode canceling operation. Therefore, if no mixing is detected for the first predetermined time or more after the shipment mode canceling operation, it is assumed that a measurement abnormality has actually occurred in the flow velocity measuring means, not a measurement abnormality has occurred due to mixing. , Can return to shipping mode.

  A sixth aspect of the present invention is the flow rate measuring apparatus according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the abnormality determining means is immediately after the absence of mixing is detected by the mixing detecting means and the stop by the stopping means is released. The flow rate measuring apparatus is characterized in that the flow rate abnormality is determined based on the flow rate measured by the flow rate measuring unit immediately before the release.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is noted that the measurable state continues for a predetermined number of times or immediately before the stoppage of the judgment by the stopping means is released, and the abnormality judging means Immediately after the presence of the mixture is detected by the mixture detection means and the stop by the stop means is released, the flow rate abnormality is determined based on the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measurement means immediately before the release. Therefore, by determining the flow rate abnormality based on the flow rate measured immediately before the stoppage of the determination is canceled, the flow rate abnormality determination can be performed more quickly than when the flow rate abnormality is determined based on the flow rate measured after the cancellation. It can be performed.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the flow rate measuring device according to the fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, wherein the abnormality determining means is based on a flow velocity measurement by the flow velocity measuring means a predetermined number of times performed immediately after the shipment mode is released. When the absence of mixture is detected, the abnormality determination of the normal mode is performed. When the absence of mixture is not detected, the abnormality determination of the replacement mode is performed. In the abnormality determination of the normal mode, the first predetermined value or more is determined. When the gas flow rate is flowing, it is determined to be abnormal, and when the gas flow rate smaller than the first predetermined value is flowing, it is determined to be normal, and in the replacement mode abnormality determination, it is greater than the first predetermined value. The present invention resides in a flow rate measuring device characterized in that when a gas flow rate equal to or greater than a second predetermined value flows, it is determined as abnormal, and when a gas flow rate smaller than the first predetermined value is flowing, it is determined as normal.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the abnormality determining means determines that the mixed state is detected according to the shipping mode canceling operation when no mixing is detected immediately after the shipping mode canceling. Gas replacement is not performed, and it is determined that a mixed state has not occurred, and an abnormal flow rate is determined in the normal mode. On the other hand, if no mixed state is detected, it is assumed that a mixed state has actually occurred and a mixed state has occurred, and thus a second predetermined value that is larger than the first predetermined value used in the normal mode. Is used to determine abnormal flow. The gas replacement is performed by causing the combustor on the downstream side of the gas flow path to perform gas consumption. For this reason, gas consumption by the fuel device may continue even after gas replacement is completed. Therefore, when the gas replacement is actually performed, the gas consumption by the combustor is continued by judging the flow rate abnormality by using the second predetermined value or more larger than the first predetermined value used in the normal mode. Even if it exists, it will not be determined that the flow rate is abnormal.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the flow rate measuring apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the abnormality determination unit has a second time until the abnormality is determined after the abnormality determination in the replacement mode is started. The present invention resides in a flow rate measuring device characterized in that it is determined that the flow rate is abnormal when it is longer than a predetermined time.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, the abnormality determining means determines that an abnormality has occurred when the time from the start of the abnormality determination in the replacement mode to the time when it is determined to be normal continues for a second predetermined time or more. Therefore, it can be determined that the flow rate is abnormal when the gas consumption of the combustor continues after the gas replacement is completed.

  The invention according to claim 9 is a flow velocity measuring means for intermittently measuring a gas flow velocity in the gas flow path, a flow rate measuring means for measuring a gas flow rate based on the measured flow velocity, and the flow velocity measuring means. A flow rate measuring device including a failure determination means for determining whether or not a measurement abnormality has occurred, wherein whether or not a mixed state of air and supply gas has occurred in the gas flow path is determined. A flow rate characterized by further comprising: a mixture determination unit for determining; and a stop unit for stopping determination of a measurement abnormality by the abnormality determination unit while the mixture determination unit determines that mixing has occurred. It exists in a measuring device.

  According to the invention described in claim 9, the flow velocity measuring means intermittently measures the gas flow velocity in the gas flow path. The flow rate measuring means measures the gas flow rate based on the measured flow velocity. The abnormality determining means determines whether or not a measurement abnormality has occurred in the flow velocity measuring means. The mixing determination means determines whether or not a state where air and supply gas are mixed in the gas flow path has occurred. The stop unit stops the determination of the measurement abnormality by the abnormality determination unit while the mixture determination unit determines that the mixture is occurring. Therefore, the determination of the measurement abnormality based on the measured flow velocity can be stopped while the flow velocity cannot be accurately measured.

  The invention according to claim 10 is the flow rate measuring device according to claim 9, wherein the flow rate measuring device has a shipping mode, a first learning mode for confirming return safety of the gas shut-off valve, and after the end of the first learning mode. After the third predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the first learning mode, operations corresponding to a plurality of modes including a second learning mode waiting for a gas flow rate exceeding the third predetermined value to flow are performed, and the mixture The determination means includes the mixture during the shipping mode, the first learning mode performed immediately after the shipping mode is canceled, or the second learning mode performed immediately after the shipping mode is canceled. It exists in the flow measuring device characterized by determining that it is carrying out.

  According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the mixing determination unit determines that mixing is occurring during the shipping mode, the first learning mode from the shipping mode cancellation, and the second learning mode from the shipping mode cancellation. . Therefore, during the gas replacement work or the shipping mode in which mixing may occur, the first learning mode, or the second learning mode, the determination of the measurement abnormality of the flow velocity measuring unit can be stopped.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the flow rate measuring device according to claim 10, wherein immediately after the release of the shipping mode, when the mode is shifted to the second learning mode, measurement by the flow velocity measuring unit is disabled, or It further comprises a mixture detecting means for starting detection of the presence / absence of mixing based on the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measuring means, and the mixing determination means is in the second learning mode performed immediately after the shipment mode is released. Further, the present invention resides in a flow rate measuring apparatus characterized in that, when the mixture detecting means detects no mixing, it is determined that the mixing does not occur.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, when the mixed detection means shifts to the second learning mode immediately after the release of the shipping mode, based on the state in which measurement by the flow velocity measuring means is disabled or the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measuring means. Start detection of mixed presence. The mixing determination means determines that no mixing has occurred when the mixing detection means detects no mixing even during the second learning mode performed immediately after the shipment mode is released. Therefore, even in the second learning mode, if no mixing is detected, it is determined that no mixing has occurred, so that the measurement abnormality can be detected more quickly than waiting until the second learning mode ends. Can start.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 and 11, wherein the flow velocity measuring means includes a transmitting means for transmitting an ultrasonic signal into the gas flow path; Receiving means for receiving the transmitted ultrasonic waves, measuring a propagation time from transmission of the ultrasonic waves to reception thereof, wherein the mixed detection means is configured to receive the ultrasonic signals by the receiving means. The flow rate measuring apparatus determines whether the flow velocity measurement is possible based on the reception state.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the flow velocity measuring means includes transmitting means for transmitting an ultrasonic signal in the gas flow path and receiving means for receiving the transmitted ultrasonic wave, and transmits the ultrasonic wave. Measure the propagation time from receiving to receiving. The mixed detection unit determines whether or not the flow velocity measurement is possible based on the reception state of the ultrasonic signal by the reception unit. Therefore, paying attention to the fact that ultrasonic signals are not normally received during mixing, whether or not flow velocity measurement is possible is determined based on the reception state of the ultrasonic signals.

  The invention according to claim 13 is an abnormality determination method for intermittently measuring a gas flow rate in a gas flow path and determining whether or not a gas flow rate abnormality has occurred based on the measured flow rate. The abnormality determination method is characterized in that the determination of an abnormality in the gas flow rate is not performed while it can be determined that a mixed state of air and gas occurs in the gas flow path.

  According to the invention described in claim 13, the gas flow rate in the gas flow path is intermittently measured. Based on the measured flow velocity, it is determined whether a gas flow rate abnormality has occurred. While it can be determined that a mixed state of air and gas is occurring in the gas flow path, the determination of an abnormal gas flow rate is not performed. Accordingly, it is possible to stop the determination of the flow rate abnormality based on the measured flow velocity during the mixing in which the flow velocity cannot be accurately measured.

  The invention according to claim 14 is an abnormality determination method for determining whether or not the measurement abnormality of the flow velocity measuring means for intermittently measuring the gas flow velocity in the gas flow channel has occurred. In this abnormality determination method, the determination of the measurement abnormality is not performed while it can be determined that a state in which air and gas are mixed is generated.

  According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the measurement abnormality of the flow velocity measuring means for intermittently measuring the gas flow velocity in the gas flow path has occurred. While it can be determined that a mixed state of air and gas is occurring in the gas flow path, determination of measurement abnormality is not performed. Therefore, the determination of the measurement abnormality based on the measured flow velocity can be stopped while the flow velocity cannot be accurately measured.

  As described above, according to the first and thirteenth aspects of the present invention, the determination of the flow rate abnormality based on the measured flow rate can be stopped while the flow rate cannot be accurately measured. It is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring apparatus and an abnormality determination method that can perform abnormality determination.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is determined that the flow rate is abnormal based on the measured flow rate during mixing in which the flow rate cannot be measured accurately, and the return safety confirmation means does not close the gas shut-off valve. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device that can prevent the gas shut-off valve from being unable to be restored after the shipment mode is released even though the flow rate abnormality has not occurred.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device capable of accurately determining whether or not a mixed state has occurred by the mixing determination unit.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, while there is a high possibility that the mixing immediately after the release of the shipping mode is occurring, it is determined that the mixing is in progress and it is possible not to make an abnormality determination. Moreover, if a state where measurement is possible or a state where the flow rate does not fluctuate continues and no mixing is detected, it is determined that mixing is not occurring and an abnormality can be determined. Nevertheless, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device that can more reliably prevent the gas cutoff valve from being unable to be restored after the shipment mode is released.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the absence of mixing is not detected continuously for the first predetermined time or more after the shipment mode canceling operation, the measurement abnormality is not actually caused by the mixing, but the flow velocity measuring means is actually used. Since it is possible to return to the shipping mode assuming that a measurement abnormality has occurred, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measurement device in which detection of being mixed is not continued when a measurement abnormality actually occurs.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the flow rate abnormality is determined based on the flow rate measured immediately before the determination stop is canceled, so that the flow rate abnormality is determined based on the flow rate measured after the cancellation. Thus, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device that can quickly determine the abnormality of the flow rate.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the gas replacement is actually performed, the combustor is determined by using the second predetermined value or more larger than the first predetermined value used in the normal mode to determine the flow rate abnormality. Even if the gas consumption continues due to the gas flow, it will not be determined that the flow rate is abnormal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gas shut-off valve from returning after the shipment mode is released, even if the flow rate is not abnormal. It is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device capable of

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device that can determine that the flow rate is abnormal when the gas consumption of the combustor continues after the gas replacement is completed.

  According to the inventions of claims 9 and 14, since the determination of the measurement abnormality based on the measured flow velocity can be stopped during the mixing in which the flow velocity cannot be measured accurately, the abnormality determination can be performed accurately. Can be obtained.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, during the gas replacement work, the shipping mode in which mixing may occur, the first learning mode, or the second learning mode, the determination of the measurement abnormality of the flow velocity measuring means is stopped. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device that can accurately determine an abnormality.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, even in the second learning mode, when no mixing is detected, it is determined that no mixing has occurred, so that the second learning mode is waited until the end. In comparison, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device capable of quickly starting a measurement abnormality.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, attention is paid to the fact that reception of ultrasonic signals is not normally performed during mixing, and the determination of flow velocity measurement is made based on the reception state of ultrasonic signals. Thus, it is possible to obtain a flow rate measuring device capable of accurately determining whether flow velocity measurement is possible.

First Embodiment Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an electronic gas meter incorporating a flow rate measuring apparatus that implements the abnormality determination method of the present invention. The illustrated electronic gas meter is configured as an ultrasonic type, and is arranged so as to be opposed to each other so as to be separated by a distance L in the gas flow path and at an angle θ with respect to the gas flow direction Y. There are two acoustic transducers TD1 and TD2.

  The two acoustic transducers TD1 and TD2 are composed of, for example, piezoelectric vibrators that operate at an ultrasonic frequency. The gas flow path is provided with a gas shut-off valve 10 that shuts off the gas flow path by closing the valve upstream of the two acoustic transducers TD1 and TD2.

  Each transducer TD1 and TD2 is connected to a transmission circuit 12 and a reception circuit 13 via transducer interface (I / F) circuits 11a and 11b, respectively. The transmission circuit 12 transmits a signal for generating an ultrasonic signal by driving one of the transducers TD1 and TD2 in the form of a pulse burst under the control of the microcomputer (μCOM) 14, and an oscillation circuit (see FIG. (Not shown).

  The receiving circuit 13 incorporates the amplifier (not shown) that receives signals from the other transducers TD1 and TD2 that have received the ultrasonic signals that have passed through the gas flow path and processes the ultrasonic signals. Further, a display 15 is connected to the μCOM 14.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the μCOM 14 described above includes a central processing unit (CPU) 14a that performs various processes according to a program, a ROM 14b that is a read-only memory that stores a program for processing performed by the CPU 14a, and the like. A RAM 14c, which is a readable / writable memory having a work area used in the processing process, a data storage area for storing various data, and the like are built in, and these are connected to each other by a bus line 14d.

  Next, the operation of the electronic gas meter having the above-described configuration will be described. The above-described CPU 14a uses the two transducers TD1 and TD2 to measure the gas flow rate at each sampling time, and performs the instantaneous flow rate measurement process of measuring the instantaneous flow rate by multiplying the measured gas flow rate by the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path. . Details of the instantaneous flow rate measurement process will be described below.

  First, the CPU 14a outputs a trigger signal to the transmission circuit 12 to generate a pulse burst signal, supplies it to one of the transducers TD1 and TD2, and causes one of the transducers to generate an ultrasonic signal. In addition, the receiving circuit 13 receives the signal from the other transducer that receives the ultrasonic signal transmitted from one transducer, and takes in the signal generated by the receiving circuit 13 in response thereto.

  Thereafter, the CPU 14a performs control to turn back the same operation again by reversing the transducer for generating the ultrasonic signal and the transducer for receiving the ultrasonic signal. Then, the CPU 14a uses the propagation time timer formed in the RAM 14c to output a trigger signal to the transmission circuit 12 to generate an ultrasonic signal of one transducer, and then receives the ultrasonic signal of the other transducer. Propagation times T1 and T2 until a signal generated by the signal is taken in via the receiving circuit 13 are measured.

Assuming that the sound velocity is c and the gas flow velocity is v, the propagation speed of the ultrasonic signal from the transducer TD1 to the transducer TD2 is (c + v cos θ), and the propagation speed of the ultrasonic signal from the transducer TD2 to the transducer TD1 is (c− vcos θ). Accordingly, if the distance between the transducers TD1 and TD2 is L, the time T1 when the ultrasonic signal from the transducer TD1 travels in the same direction Y as the gas flow and reaches the transducer TD2, and the ultrasonic signal from the transducer TD2 is the gas flow. The time T2 that travels in the opposite direction to reach the transducer TD2 is
T1 = L / (c + vcos θ) (1)
T2 = L / (c−v cos θ) (2)
It becomes.

From equations (1) and (2), v = (L / 2 cos θ) · (1 / T1-1 / T2)
= (L / 2cos θ) · {(T2−T1) / (T2 · T1)} (3)
Thus, when L is known, the flow velocity v can be obtained by measuring T1 and T2.

T2 · T1 = L ² / {(c + vcos θ) · (c−vcos θ)}
= L ² / (c ² −v ² cos ² θ)
Since the flow velocity v is an extremely small value compared to the sound velocity c, v ^{2 in} the equation can be neglected to be extremely small compared to c ² cos ² θ, and T2 · T1 = L ² / c ² can be obtained. . And the above equation (3) finally becomes
v = {(T2-T1) · c ² } / 2L cos θ
= (T2-T1). (C ² ). (1 / 2L cos θ)
Can be rewritten. Here, when Td = (T2−T1),
v = Td · k (4)
Where k = c ² / 2L cos θ
It becomes. That is, the gas flow velocity v is obtained by multiplying the difference Td in the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal by the constant k. The instantaneous flow rate can be obtained by multiplying the gas flow velocity v by the cross-sectional area of the gas flow path. The CPU 14a further multiplies the obtained instantaneous flow rate by the sampling time to obtain a flow rate measurement process for obtaining the gas passage flow rate, an integration process for integrating the obtained passage flow rate, and a display for displaying the accumulated passage flow rate on the display 15. Process.

  As is apparent from the above, the transducers TD1 and TD2, the transducer I / F circuits 11a and 11b, the transmission circuit 12, the reception circuit 13, and the CPU 14a constitute the flow rate measuring means in the claims, and the CPU 14a Constitutes a flow rate measuring means. The transmission circuit 12 corresponds to the transmission means in the claims, and the reception circuit 13 corresponds to the reception means in the claims.

  Further, the CPU 14a performs measurement abnormality determination processing for determining whether or not accurate flow velocity measurement can be performed every time the above-described flow rate measurement processing is performed. Next, details of the measurement abnormality determination process will be described below with reference to FIG. As shown in the figure, when a pulsed ultrasonic signal is output from the transmitting side, the peak is gradually increased on the receiving side and received. At this time, for example, from the transmission of the ultrasonic signal of the third pulse until the reception level of the ultrasonic sensor becomes 0 immediately after exceeding the threshold A, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured.

  Therefore, in order to accurately measure the flow velocity, it is necessary to adjust the gain of the transmission ultrasonic signal so that the reception level exceeds the threshold A only when the ultrasonic signal transmitted at the third pulse is received. Specifically, the gain adjustment on the transmission side is performed so that the peak P after the reception level becomes 0 immediately after the reception level exceeds the threshold A falls within the predetermined range B. Utilizing this gain adjustment function, the CPU 14a determines that the flow velocity cannot be accurately measured when the ultrasonic wave exceeding the threshold A cannot be received even if the gain of the transmission ultrasonic signal is maximized.

  Further, the CPU 14a performs a return process for confirming the return safety of the gas shut-off valve after the shipment mode is released. Details of the return processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6 for explaining the processing procedure of the CPU 14a. The electronic gas meter is set in a shipping mode in which the power consumption state is lower than normal and the gas shut-off valve 10 is in a closed state until the electronic gas meter is shipped from the factory and installed at the installation site. When the release operation of the shipping mode is performed by an operation of a magnet switch or the like, the CPU 14a starts the above-described return process.

  First, the CPU 14a functions as a mixture determination unit and a stop unit, and after the shipment mode release operation, there is no mixture of supply gas and air based on the reception state of the ultrasonic signal and the instantaneous flow rate calculated by the ultrasonic signal. Until it is detected, it is determined that a mixed state has occurred, and a stop process is performed to stop the determination of a flow rate abnormality (step S1).

  After exiting this stop process, the CPU 14a functions as an abnormality determination unit and a return safety confirmation unit, restarts the determination of the flow rate abnormality, and performs a return safety confirmation process based on this flow rate abnormality determination (step S2). In this way, by providing a stop process, the instantaneous flow rate (= flow velocity) cannot be accurately measured. During the mixture of supply gas and air, it is determined that the flow rate is abnormal based on the measured flow rate, and the return safety confirmation process As a result, the gas shut-off valve 10 is not closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the gas shut-off valve 10 from being unable to be restored after the shipment mode is released even though the flow rate abnormality has not occurred.

  Next, details of the above-described stop process will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 14a performs, for example, the above-described measurement abnormality determination process regarding the transmission / reception of the ultrasonic signal performed by the latest instantaneous flow rate measurement process, and determines whether or not a measurement abnormality that cannot accurately measure the flow velocity has occurred. (Step S111).

  At this time, if no measurement abnormality has occurred (N in step S111), the CPU 14a next determines whether or not the instantaneous flow rate fluctuates (step S112). Specifically, if the difference between the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the latest instantaneous flow rate measurement process and the instantaneous flow rate obtained by the previous instantaneous flow rate measurement process is less than or equal to a certain value, it is determined that there is no fluctuation and is constant. If the value is exceeded, it is determined that the value has fluctuated.

  If there is no fluctuation in the instantaneous flow rate (N in step S112), the CPU 14a increments the number counter K (step S113), and then determines whether or not the number counter K has reached the predetermined number n (step S114). ). If the predetermined number of times is n or more (step S114), the CPU 14a functions as a mixed detection means, and the measurable state continues for n times or more, and the state where the instantaneous flow rate does not fluctuate continues for n times or more and the instantaneous flow rate is constant. In other words, after detecting the absence of mixing and resetting the number counter K and the replacement timer TM1 (steps S115 and S116), the process proceeds to the return safety confirmation process in step S2. On the other hand, if it is less than or equal to the predetermined number n (N in step S114), the process returns to step S111 again.

  On the other hand, if a measurement abnormality has occurred (Y in step S111) or measurement is possible, but the instantaneous flow rate fluctuates (Y in step S112), the CPU 14a is in the process of gas replacement, and Assuming that a state in which gas is mixed has occurred, it is determined whether or not the gas replacement flag F1 has already been turned on (step S117).

  If the gas replacement flag F1 is not turned on (N in step S117), the gas replacement flag F1 is turned on (step S118), the replacement timer TM1 is started (step S119), and the process returns to step S111 again. The replacement timer TM1 is a timer that counts the time from the shipment mode canceling operation to Y in step S114 until no mixing is detected.

  On the other hand, if the gas replacement flag F1 is on (Y in step S117), it is determined whether or not the replacement timer TM1 has exceeded m minutes (= first predetermined time), and if not (in step S120). N), it returns to step S111 again.

  When the replacement timer TM1 has exceeded m minutes (Y in step S120), the CPU 14a functions as a shipping mode return means, and measurement abnormality or flow rate fluctuation has not occurred due to gas mixture. It is determined that a measurement abnormality has actually occurred due to the failure of the transducers TD1 and TD2, etc., and the mode is again shifted to the shipping mode (step S121), and the process is terminated.

  By the way, immediately after the shipment mode release operation, if the measurement is impossible or even if the instantaneous flow rate can be measured, it fluctuates. There is a high possibility that the flow rate cannot be measured due to the presence of air. Focusing on this, the electronic gas meter described above starts detection of the availability of measurement or the presence / absence of mixing based on the measured instantaneous flow rate when the shipping mode release operation is performed. Therefore, the judgment of mixing is made accurately.

  Next, details of the return safety confirmation process will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the CPU 14a determines whether or not the gas replacement flag F1 is on (step S211). If the gas replacement flag F1 is not turned on (N in step S211), the CPU 14a does not proceed to step S117 during the stop process at all, but from the instantaneous flow rate measurement of the predetermined number n performed immediately after the shipment mode release operation. If it is detected that there is no mixture, that is, after the shipping mode release operation, it is determined that gas replacement has not actually been performed and a mixed state has not occurred, and the normal mode return safety check is performed.

  In the normal mode return safety confirmation, if the passage flow rate measured by the latest passage flow rate measurement process is equal to or greater than the return safety confirmation flow rate Q1 (= first predetermined value) (Y in step S212), the gas leaks. Therefore, the gas shutoff valve 10 is shut off (step S213), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is smaller than the return safety confirmation flow rate Q1 (N in step S212), it is determined that there is no flow rate abnormality, and the process is terminated without shutting off the gas shutoff valve 10.

  On the other hand, if the replacement flag F1 is on (Y in step S211), the CPU 14a actually proceeds to step S117 during the stop process at least once, that is, after the shipping mode canceling operation, It is determined that a mixed state has occurred, and a return mode return safety check is performed.

  In the return safety confirmation in the replacement mode, the CPU 14a starts the replacement return timer TM2 (step S214). The replacement return timer TM2 is a timer that counts the duration of the return safety check in the replacement mode. Thereafter, if the passing flow rate measured by the latest passing flow rate measurement process is smaller than the return safety confirmation flow rate Q1 (N in step S215), the CPU 14a determines that there is no flow rate abnormality, and the replacement return timer TM2 and the replacement flag F1. Is reset (step S216), the process is terminated without shutting off the gas shutoff valve 10.

  On the other hand, if the instantaneous flow rate is equal to or greater than the flow rate Q2 (= second predetermined value) greater than the return safety confirmation flow rate Q1 (Y in step S217), it is determined that a flow rate abnormality has occurred and the replacement timer TM2 and the gas replacement flag F1 are set. After resetting (step S218), the gas shutoff valve 10 is shut off (step S213), and the process is terminated.

  Even if the instantaneous flow rate equal to or higher than the flow rate Q2 is not measured, if the replacement return timer TM2 exceeds n minutes (= second predetermined time) (Y in step S219), it is determined that a flow rate abnormality has occurred. Then, after resetting the replacement return timer TM2 and the replacement flag F1 (step S218), the gas shutoff valve 10 is closed (step S213), and the process is terminated.

  According to the electronic gas meter described above, when it is actually determined that gas replacement has been performed immediately after the release of the shipping mode (= when the gas replacement flag F1 is on), the return safety check used in the normal mode The flow rate abnormality is determined using the flow rate Q2 larger than the flow rate Q1. Thereby, even after the gas replacement operation is performed and the mixed state is eliminated, the state in which the gas consumption by the combustor is continued is not erroneously determined as the flow rate abnormality.

  In the first embodiment described above, in the flow rate abnormality determination in steps S212, S215, and S217 performed immediately after the stop process is completed, the latest passage measured by the passing flow rate measurement process performed after the stop process is completed. Judgment was made based on the flow rate. However, just before the judgment stop by the stop process was released, it was performed immediately before the stop process ended, paying attention to the fact that the measurable state can continue for a predetermined number of times n or more and the instantaneous flow rate can be regarded as being unchanged. It is also conceivable to determine whether the flow rate is abnormal based on the passing flow rate measured by the passing flow rate measurement process. In this case, it is possible to quickly determine whether the flow rate is abnormal.

Second Embodiment Next, an abnormality determination method and a flow rate measuring apparatus according to the present invention in a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the flow rate measuring apparatus that has performed the abnormality determination method according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described with reference to the electronic gas meter of FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. In the electronic gas meter according to the second embodiment, while it can be determined that a state in which air and gas are mixed in the gas flow path has occurred, a measurement abnormality caused by a failure of the transducers TD1 and TD2 or the propagation time timer It is a thing which does not judge.

  In general, an electronic gas meter operates in accordance with a plurality of modes such as a shipping mode and a learning mode. As a flow of this mode, it is set to a shipping mode that is in a sleep state until it is shipped from the factory and arrives at the site, and when the shipping mode is canceled, it shifts to a learning mode 1 (= first learning mode). Then, the return safety confirmation operation of the gas cutoff valve 10 is performed.

  When this return safety confirmation operation is finished, the learning mode 1 is finished, and the mode is shifted to the learning mode 2 (= second learning mode). In the learning mode 2, after one hour (= third predetermined time) has elapsed since the start of the learning mode 1, it waits for detection of a flow rate of 21 L / h (= third predetermined value) or more. The gas operator prepares for installation such as replacing the gas flow path in the gas meter or the air in the pipe with gas while the electronic gas meter is in the learning mode 1 or 2 by consuming gas with the combustor. I do.

  In addition, after learning mode 2, the initial learning modes 3 and 4 are followed in this setting mode in order, learning the gas usage status in each home based on the measured flow rate, and shutting off gas according to the gas usage status Set the cutoff value of the valve.

  Among these flows, the modes in which gas replacement work or gas and air may be mixed in the gas meter are learning modes 1 and 2 after the meter is attached to the pipe and the shipping mode is canceled. . Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the electronic gas meter is in the learning modes 1 and 2, it is determined that the gas is being replaced and the supply gas and air are mixed, and the measurement abnormality is determined. Stop. However, in the learning mode 2, when the gas replacement operation is completed, it is not necessary to stop the determination of the measurement abnormality. If the measured flow rate is stabilized and it can be determined that the mixture is not being mixed, the measurement abnormality is started. By doing so, it is possible to find measurement abnormality earlier.

  Further, some electronic gas meters forcibly return to the learning mode 1 when an interruption event occurs during the setting mode. In this case, even if the mode of the gas meter is the learning modes 1 and 2, gas replacement is not performed. Therefore, when the setting mode is forcibly returned to the learning modes 1 and 2, even in the learning modes 1 and 2, the measurement abnormality determination is not stopped.

  In some cases, the meter itself may be relocated in an apartment house or the like. Considering this, there may be a case where gas and air are mixed even in the shipping mode. Therefore, the measurement abnormality determination is stopped even in the shipping mode.

  The detailed operation of the electronic gas meter described in the above outline will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the power is turned on, the CPU 14a starts a stop process and determines whether or not the current mode is the shipping mode (step S61). If it is the shipping mode (Y in step S61), after the immediately after shipment flag F2 and the stop flag F3 are turned on (steps S62 and S63), the process returns to step S61 again.

  The stop flag F3 is constantly monitored by the measurement abnormality determination program, and measurement abnormality determination is not performed while the stop flag F3 is on.

  On the other hand, if it is not the shipping mode, the CPU 14a determines whether or not it is in the learning mode 1 (step S64). If it is in learning mode 1 (Y in step S64), the immediately after shipment flag F2 is turned on (Y in step S65), and the stop flag F1 is turned on only when it can be determined that the learning mode 1 is immediately after the shipment mode is released. (Step S63).

  If the immediately after shipment flag F2 is OFF (N in step S65), it is determined that the learning mode 1 is forcibly shifted from this setting, and the stop flag F3 is turned OFF (step S66). Return to S61. On the other hand, if it is not the learning mode 1 (N in step S64), the CPU 14a determines whether or not it is in the learning mode 2 (step S67).

  If it is in learning mode 2 (Y in step S67), the immediately after shipment flag F2 is on (Y in step S68), and it is determined that it is in learning mode 2 immediately after the shipment mode is released, and calculation is performed by instantaneous flow rate measurement processing. It is determined whether or not the instantaneous flow rate is stable (step S69). If it is not stable (N in step S69), it is determined that mixing has occurred, the stop flag F3 is turned on (step S63), and the process returns to step S61.

  On the other hand, if it is stable (Y in step S69), it is determined that the gas replacement has been completed and no mixing has occurred, and the immediately after shipment flag F2 and the stop flag F3 are turned off (steps S70 and S71). The process returns to step S61. On the other hand, if it is not in learning mode 2 (N in step S67), and even in learning mode 2, if the flag F2 immediately after shipment is off (N in step S68), the stop flag F3 is turned off. (Step S71), the process returns to step S61.

The electronic gas meter which incorporated the flow measuring device which implemented the abnormality judging method of the present invention is shown. It is a block diagram which shows the detail of (micro | micron | mu) 14 which comprises the electronic gas meter of FIG. It is a time chart for demonstrating the measurement abnormality determination process which CPU14a of FIG. 2 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the return process of CPU14a which comprises the electronic gas meter of FIG. 1 (1st Embodiment). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the stop process of CPU14a which comprises the electronic gas meter of FIG. 1 (1st Embodiment). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the return safety confirmation process of CPU14a which comprises the electronic gas meter of FIG. 1 (1st Embodiment). It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence in the stop process of CPU14a which comprises the electronic gas meter of FIG. 1 (2nd Embodiment).

Explanation of symbols

TD1 transducer (flow velocity measuring means)
TD2 transducer (flow velocity measuring means)
10 Gas shut-off valve 11a Transducer I / F circuit (flow velocity measuring means)
11b Transducer I / F circuit (flow velocity measuring means)
12 Transmission circuit (transmission means, flow velocity measurement means)
13 Receiving circuit (receiving means, flow velocity measuring means)
14a CPU (flow velocity measuring means, flow rate measuring means, mixing judgment means, stopping means, return safety confirmation means, abnormality judgment means, mixing detection means, shipping mode return means)

Claims (14)

A flow rate measuring unit that intermittently measures the gas flow rate in the gas flow path, a flow rate measuring unit that measures the gas flow rate based on the measured flow rate, and an abnormal gas flow rate based on the measured flow rate A flow rate measuring device comprising an abnormality determining means for determining whether or not
Mixing determination means for determining whether or not a state where air and supply gas are mixed in the gas flow path occurs;
A flow rate measuring apparatus further comprising a stop unit that stops the determination of the flow rate abnormality by the abnormality determination unit while the mixture determination unit determines that the mixture is occurring. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
A gas shut-off valve that shuts off gas supply through the gas flow path by closing the valve;
And a return safety confirmation means for closing the gas shut-off valve when the abnormality judging means determines that the flow rate is abnormal after opening the gas shut-off valve in response to a shipping mode release operation. A flow measuring device characterized by The flow rate measuring device according to claim 2,
When the shipping mode canceling operation is performed, it further includes a mixed detection unit that starts the detection of the presence / absence of mixing based on the state in which measurement by the flow velocity measuring unit is disabled or the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measuring unit,
The flow rate measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing determination unit makes the determination based on a detection result by the mixing detection unit. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 3,
The mixed detection means detects the absence of mixing when the state in which the flow velocity measurement by the flow velocity measuring means can be continued for a predetermined number of times or when the measured flow velocity does not change for a predetermined number of times or more. ,
The flow rate measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mixing determination unit determines that the mixed state is generated from the shipment mode release operation until the mixing detection unit detects the absence of mixing. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 4,
A flow rate further comprising shipping mode return means for returning to the shipping mode again when the absence of mixing is not detected by the mixing detection means for a first predetermined time or more from the shipping mode release operation. Measuring device. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 4 or 5,
The abnormality determination unit detects the absence of mixing by the mixing detection unit, and immediately after the stop by the stopping unit is canceled, based on the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measuring unit immediately before the cancellation, the abnormality of the flow rate is determined. A flow rate measuring apparatus characterized by making a judgment. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 4, 5 or 6,
The abnormality determination unit performs normal mode abnormality determination when the absence of mixture is detected from the flow velocity measurement by the flow velocity measurement unit a predetermined number of times performed immediately after the shipment mode is released, and the absence of mixture is detected. If there is no, perform an abnormality judgment of the replacement mode,
In the abnormality determination in the normal mode, when the gas flow rate equal to or higher than the first predetermined value is flowing, it is determined as abnormal, and when the gas flow rate smaller than the first predetermined value is flowing, it is determined as normal.
In the abnormality determination of the replacement mode, when a gas flow rate greater than the second predetermined value greater than the first predetermined value is flowing, it is determined as abnormal, and when a gas flow rate smaller than the first predetermined value is flowing, A flow rate measuring device characterized by being determined to be normal. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 7,
The abnormality determination means determines that the flow rate is abnormal when the time from the start of the abnormality determination in the replacement mode to the time when the abnormality is determined is longer than a second predetermined time. apparatus. A flow rate measuring unit that intermittently measures the gas flow rate in the gas flow path, a flow rate measuring unit that measures the gas flow rate based on the measured flow rate, and whether a measurement abnormality has occurred in the flow rate measuring unit A flow rate measuring device comprising an abnormality determining means for determining whether or not,
Mixing determination means for determining whether or not a state where air and supply gas are mixed in the gas flow path occurs;
A flow rate measuring apparatus, further comprising: a stopping unit that stops determination of measurement abnormality by the abnormality determining unit while the mixing determining unit determines that mixing is occurring. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 9,
When the flow rate measuring device is shifted to the shipping mode, the first learning mode for confirming the return safety of the gas shut-off valve, and after the end of the first learning mode, after the third predetermined time has elapsed from the start of the first learning mode, the third Performing operations according to a plurality of modes including a second learning mode waiting for a gas flow rate exceeding a predetermined value to flow;
The mixed determination means is in the mixed mode while in the shipping mode, in the first learning mode performed immediately after the shipping mode is released, or in the second learning mode performed immediately after the shipping mode is released. A flow rate measuring device characterized by determining that a problem has occurred. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 10,
Immediately after canceling the shipping mode, when the mode is shifted to the second learning mode, the mixed detection that starts the detection of the presence / absence of mixing based on the state in which measurement by the flow velocity measuring unit is disabled or the flow velocity measured by the flow velocity measuring unit Further comprising means,
The mixing determination means determines that the mixing does not occur when the mixing detection means detects no mixing even during the second learning mode performed immediately after the shipment mode is released. A characteristic flow rate measuring device. The flow rate measuring device according to any one of claims 3 to 8 and 11,
The flow velocity measuring unit includes a transmitting unit that transmits an ultrasonic signal into the gas flow path, and a receiving unit that receives the transmitted ultrasonic wave, and is received after transmitting the ultrasonic wave. Measure the propagation time until
The flow rate measuring apparatus, wherein the mixed detection unit determines whether the flow velocity measurement is possible based on a reception state of the ultrasonic signal by the reception unit. An abnormality determination method for intermittently measuring a gas flow rate in a gas flow path and determining whether a gas flow rate abnormality has occurred based on the measured flow rate,
An abnormality determination method characterized by not determining an abnormality in the gas flow rate while it can be determined that a mixed state of air and gas is occurring in the gas flow path. An abnormality determination method for determining whether or not the measurement abnormality of the flow velocity measuring means for intermittently measuring the gas flow velocity in the gas flow path has occurred,
The abnormality determination method, wherein the determination of the measurement abnormality is not performed while it can be determined that a state in which air and gas are mixed in the gas flow path is occurring.

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