JP2005207853A - Flow rate measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To collect the change of a flow rate integrated value in some period, and the change of an instantaneous flow rate value in some period. <P>SOLUTION: This device is constituted of a flow rate measuring means 1 for outputting flow measurement data, an operation part A12 for determining the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value, a nonvolatile storage means A9 used for relay of data transfer, an intermittent power supply means A11 for supplying power to the nonvolatile storage means A9, a writing flow rate data selection means 13 for selecting flow rate data of the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value, a flow rate display means 7 for displaying the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value, an operation part B14 for reading out the flow rate data written in the nonvolatile storage means A9, a nonvolatile storage means B17 for preserving the flow rate data successively, an intermittent power supply means B16 for supplying power when reading out the flow rate data written in the nonvolatile storage means A9, and a data collection start/finish selection means 15 for commanding start or finish of data collection to the operation part B14. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring device such as a gas meter or a water meter for measuring a flow rate of gas or water.

  A conventional flow rate measuring apparatus has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 taking a gas meter as an example. Based on the flow rate measuring means 1 that outputs the flow rate signal S according to the passage flow rate and the cumulative weight value G that is stored in advance each time the flow rate signal S sent from the flow rate measuring means 1 is received, the flow rate integrated value N ( For example, N = G × S), a flow rate integration unit 2 that outputs the flow rate integration value N, a storage unit 3 that stores predetermined information necessary for flow rate measurement, and a non-power source. Nonvolatile storage means 9 for holding contents, control means 10 for controlling reading and writing of the nonvolatile storage means, intermittent power supply means 11 for supplying power to the nonvolatile storage means 9 during operation of the control means, A power supply unit 5 for supplying power to each means is provided.

Further, the flow rate calculation means 2 has a flow rate display means 7 for displaying a function of blocking the flow path by the blocking means 8 and an integrated flow rate value when an abnormal flow rate is detected. Furthermore, the communication means 4 is provided and the communication with the exterior is enabled via the input-output part 6 (for example, refer patent document 1).
Japanese Patent No. 3047697

  However, in the conventional configuration, the flow rate display means 7 only displays the flow rate integrated value that is the accumulated usage amount used so far. It is possible to know how much the latest flow rate integrated value at that time is by the flow rate display means, but how the flow integrated value has changed in the past, and how the past instantaneous flow rate has changed Can not know.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and how the flow rate integrated value has changed over a long period of time (for example, for one month) without impairing the original measurement function of the flow rate measuring device. An object of the present invention is to provide a flow rate measuring device capable of collecting how the instantaneous flow rate during a period (for example, about 2 hours) changes.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the flow rate measuring device of the present invention is a flow rate measuring means for outputting flow rate measurement data corresponding to the passing flow rate, and performs arithmetic processing based on the flow rate measurement data to obtain instantaneous flow rate and flow rate integration. An arithmetic unit A for obtaining a value, a first non-volatile storage means A that retains stored contents even without a power supply, and is used for relaying data transfer, and a power supply to the non-volatile storage means A during operation of the non-volatile storage means A Intermittent power supply means A to be supplied, write flow data selection means for selecting the flow rate data to be written to the non-volatile storage means A and the flow rate data of the flow rate integrated value, and the instantaneous flow rate to be calculated by the calculation unit A A flow rate measuring unit comprising a flow rate display means for displaying the flow rate integrated value, and a power source A for supplying power to the means, and an operation for reading the flow rate data written in the nonvolatile storage means A B and when the flow rate data written in the nonvolatile storage means A is read by the calculation unit B, the intermittent power supply means B for supplying power to the nonvolatile storage means A and the calculation unit B read the flow rate data. Second non-volatile storage means B that stores the flow rate data and retains the stored contents even when there is no power supply, data collection start / end selection means for instructing the arithmetic unit B to start or end data collection, The data collection unit includes an input / output unit that transfers the flow rate data stored in the nonvolatile storage unit B to the outside, and a power source B that supplies power to each unit.

  As a result, while executing the original measurement function of the flow rate measuring device, the non-volatile storage means A that retains the stored content of the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value even without a power source by using the idle time for each flow rate measurement interval. By sequentially storing and supplying power to the non-volatile storage means A by the intermittent power supply means B, the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow value stored in the non-volatile storage means A is read out by the calculation unit B, It becomes possible to store and save sequentially in the nonvolatile storage means B having a memory capacity, accumulation of accumulated flow rate data over a long period (for example, one month), and accumulation of instantaneous flow rate data for a certain period (for example, about 2 hours). It becomes possible to do.

  The flow rate measuring device of the present invention is a method of how the flow rate integrated value has changed over a long period of time (for example, for one month) without impairing the original flow rate measuring function, or for a certain period (for example, about 2 hours). It is possible to collect how the flow rate has changed. For example, when the fluid is gas, the amount of gas used for each time period of the data collection period and the amount of gas used for each day of the week are collected from the change in accumulated data. You will be able to analyze. In addition, the status of gas leakage in the gas piping is verified from the changes in the accumulated instantaneous flow rate data, and any pressure fluctuation (fluctuation frequency, magnitude of fluctuation, etc.) in the pipe where the flow measurement device is installed ) Can be analyzed.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow rate measuring means for outputting flow rate measurement data corresponding to a passing flow rate, a calculation unit A for performing calculation processing based on the flow rate measurement data to obtain an instantaneous flow rate and a flow rate integrated value, Non-volatile storage means A for holding flow rate data such as a flow rate integrated value, intermittent power supply means A for supplying power to the non-volatile storage means A during operation of the non-volatile storage means A, and non-volatile storage means A Write flow rate data selection means for selecting the flow rate data to be written and the flow rate integrated value, flow rate display means for displaying the instantaneous flow rate and the flow rate integrated value calculated by the calculation unit A, and a power source A. A flow rate measurement unit provided; a calculation unit B that reads the flow rate data written in the nonvolatile storage means A; and a flow rate data written in the nonvolatile storage means A by the calculation unit B. , Intermittent power supply means B for supplying power to the nonvolatile storage means A, nonvolatile storage means B for holding the flow rate data read by the calculation section B, and start of data collection in the calculation section B. Alternatively, a data collection start / end selection means for instructing termination, an input / output means for transferring the flow rate data held in the nonvolatile storage means B to the outside, and a data collection unit including a power supply B Thus, while executing the original measurement function of the flow rate measuring device, the non-volatile storage means A that retains the stored content of the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value even when there is no power source by using the idle time for each flow rate measurement interval. By sequentially storing and supplying power to the non-volatile storage means A by the intermittent power supply means B, the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value stored in the non-volatile storage means A Data can be sequentially read out and stored in the nonvolatile memory means B having a large memory capacity, the accumulated flow rate value data can be accumulated over a long period (for example, one month), and a certain period (for example, It is possible to accumulate instantaneous flow rate data (about 2 hours). Then, from the change of the accumulated value data accumulated, it becomes possible to analyze the gas usage by time zone, the gas usage by day of the week, etc. during the data collection period. In addition, the status of gas leaks can be verified from the changes in the accumulated instantaneous flow rate data, and any pressure fluctuations (fluctuation frequency, magnitude of fluctuation, etc.) in the pipe where the flow rate measuring device is installed. ) Can be analyzed.

  In the second invention, the instantaneous flow rate value is selected by the writing flow rate data selection means, the instantaneous flow rate value is periodically written in the nonvolatile storage means A, and periodically written in the nonvolatile storage means B via the calculation unit B. The instantaneous flow rate value is stored in time series, and changes in the instantaneous flow rate value during a certain period can be collected at intervals of seconds.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the flow rate integrated value is selected by the write flow rate data selection means, the flow rate integrated value is periodically written to the nonvolatile storage means A, and periodically passed to the nonvolatile storage means B via the calculation unit B. The integrated flow rate value is stored in time series, and the change in the integrated flow rate value during a certain period can be collected at minute intervals.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 1 is a flow rate measuring means for outputting flow rate measurement data corresponding to the passing flow rate, and 12 is an arithmetic process based on the flow rate measurement data sent from the flow rate measurement means to obtain an instantaneous flow rate and a flow rate integrated value. The calculation units A and 9 retain the stored contents even when there is no power supply, store and save the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value sent from the calculation unit A, and use it as a non-volatile storage for relaying data transfer to the data collection unit 21 Means A and 11 are intermittent power supply means A and 13 for supplying power to the nonvolatile memory means A9 during operation of the nonvolatile memory means A9. The intermittent power supply means A and 13 write the instantaneous flow rate as flow data to be written to the nonvolatile memory means A9. Write flow data selection means for selecting whether to write the flow rate integrated value, 7 is a flow rate display for displaying the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value calculated by the calculation unit A12 Stage, 5 the power supply A, 20 supplies power to each unit represents the flow rate measurement unit showing the overall structure as described above.

  Reference numeral 14 denotes a calculation unit B that reads out the flow rate data of the instantaneous flow rate and the integrated flow rate value written in the nonvolatile storage means A9, and 16 denotes the instantaneous flow rate and flow rate written in the nonvolatile storage means A9 by the calculation unit B14. When reading the flow data of the integrated value, the intermittent power supply means B and 17 for supplying power to the non-volatile storage means A9 are the instantaneous flow rate and the flow rate of the integrated flow value read from the non-volatile storage means A9 by the calculation unit B14. Non-volatile storage means B and 15 for storing and storing data and retaining the stored contents even without a power source are data collection start / end selection means for instructing the calculation unit B14 to start or end data collection, and 19 is the nonvolatile storage means. Input / output means for transferring the flow rate data of the instantaneous flow rate and the accumulated flow rate value stored and stored in the storage means B17 to the outside, 18 is a power source for supplying power to the respective parts , 21 shows a data collection unit showing the overall structure as described above.

  The operation and action of the flow rate measuring apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

  First, the flow rate measuring unit 1 that outputs flow rate measurement data corresponding to the passing flow rate includes, for example, an ultrasonic flow rate measuring unit. The ultrasonic flow rate measuring means is provided with a pair of ultrasonic sensors for transmitting and receiving in the flow path, and when one ultrasonic sensor is transmitting, the other ultrasonic sensor is in charge of reception. The roles of transmission and reception are alternately changed, and the propagation time T1 when ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path and the propagation time when ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the downstream side to the upstream side T2 is counted by a time counter.

  The flow rate measurement data of the counter value proportional to the time is sent to the calculation unit A12 and processed by the calculation unit A12 according to the following calculation formula to obtain the instantaneous flow rate.

Q = K × S × (1 / T1-1 / T2)
K: Proportional constant determined by channel structure S: Channel cross-sectional area And, in the case of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring means in the above example, for example, when the measurement cycle is repeated every 2 seconds, the instantaneous flow rate every 2 seconds can be obtained. It becomes like this. Further, by integrating the obtained instantaneous flow rate for 2 seconds of the measurement period and performing time integration, it is possible to obtain the increment of the flow rate integrated value for 2 seconds. The latest integrated flow rate value at that time is calculated as an addition of the current integrated value to the previous integrated value.

  The instantaneous flow rate and the flow rate integrated value obtained in this way are stored and saved in the RAM area of the calculation unit A12. For example, when the flow rate measurement cycle is every 2 seconds, the instantaneous flow rate and the integrated flow value stored in the RAM area of the calculation unit A12 are updated to a new instantaneous flow rate and integrated flow value every 2 seconds.

  The write flow rate data selection means 13 gives a command to the calculation unit A12. For example, when instantaneous flow rate data is selected, the instantaneous flow rate stored in the RAM area of the calculation unit A12 is written to the nonvolatile storage means A9. When the flow rate integrated value data is selected, the flow rate integrated value stored in the RAM area of the arithmetic unit A12 is written and stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9. The instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate data of the integrated flow rate value written and stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9 is stored and held even without a power source.

  Since the instantaneous flow rate is intended to capture what changes from moment to moment, when trying to collect data on the change in instantaneous flow rate for a certain period, writing and saving to the nonvolatile storage means A9 is n (integer) times the measurement cycle. Write at a period of. For example, in the case of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring means in the above example, the measurement cycle is 2 seconds, so the minimum instantaneous flow rate write cycle is a 2 second cycle.

  Further, as described above, the integrated flow rate value is obtained by integrating the instantaneous flow rate over time, so it does not change greatly in seconds. Therefore, when it is attempted to collect data on the change in the flow rate integrated value during a certain period, the write storage in the nonvolatile storage means A9 is performed in a cycle of minutes (n (integer) × 30 times the measurement cycle). For example, in the case of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring means of the above example, the measurement cycle is 2 seconds, so the minimum flow rate integrated value write cycle is a 1 minute cycle.

  Next, the intermittent power supply means A11 is for supplying power to the nonvolatile storage means A9 only when the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate data of the integrated flow rate value is written and stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9. The intermittent power supply means A11 can be constituted by, for example, a transistor that is turned ON / OFF by an output from the arithmetic unit A12.

  After the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value is written and stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9, the calculation unit A12 can concentrate the operation on the flow rate measurement process. Therefore, even if the above-described writing process to the nonvolatile memory means A9 is performed, the original flow measurement function is not impaired.

  The flow rate display means 7 displays the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value obtained by the calculation processing in the calculation unit A12 so that it can be visually recognized. The flow rate display unit 7 in the conventional flow rate measuring device generally displays the integrated flow rate value, but the flow rate display unit 7 in the flow rate measuring device of the present invention is selected by the write flow rate data selection unit 13. The instantaneous flow rate or integrated flow value is displayed in correspondence with the instantaneous flow rate or integrated flow value. The flow rate display means 7 can be composed of a liquid crystal display, for example.

  Next, the operation of the data collection unit 21 that reads the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value stored and stored in the nonvolatile storage unit A9 even when there is no power supply and collects data will be described.

  The data collection unit 21 is a processing unit for collecting data on the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value stored in the nonvolatile storage unit A9 over a long period of time.

  The data collection start / end selection means 15 instructs the calculation unit B14 to start or end data collection. When the start of data collection is selected, the calculation unit B14 sequentially reads the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9. The read timing is a period from when the arithmetic unit A12 finishes writing to the nonvolatile storage unit A9 to before the next writing to the nonvolatile storage unit A9 is started.

  When the calculation unit A12 reads the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value stored in the nonvolatile storage unit A9, the calculation unit A12 batting with the timing for writing the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integration value into the nonvolatile storage unit A9. The calculation unit B14 sends a request signal for reading the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value stored in the non-volatile storage means A9 to the calculation unit A12, and recognizes the permission signal from the calculation unit A12. The instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow value is read from the nonvolatile storage means A9.

  When the permission signal from the calculation unit A12 is recognized, a signal is sent from the calculation unit B14 to the intermittent power supply means B16, and the intermittent power supply means B16 supplies power to the nonvolatile storage means A9 from the power supply B18. The instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9 is read by the unit B14 and temporarily stored in the RAM area of the calculation unit B14.

  When the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value stored and stored in the non-volatile storage unit A9 is read out by the arithmetic unit B14, power is supplied from the power source B18 to the non-volatile storage unit A9 by the intermittent power supply unit B16 as described above. Thus, the power consumption of the power source A5 of the flow rate measuring unit 20 is not consumed.

  As described above in the description of the operation of the flow rate measuring unit, in the case of the instantaneous flow rate, the writing and storing in the nonvolatile storage means A9 is written at a cycle (unit of second) n (integer) times the measurement cycle. Therefore, when the calculation unit B14 reads the instantaneous flow rate stored in the non-volatile storage means A9, it is read at a cycle (in seconds) that is n (integer) times the measurement cycle. For example, in the case of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring means described above, the measurement cycle is 2 seconds, so the minimum readout cycle is a 2 second cycle.

  Further, in the case of the flow rate integrated value, the writing and storage in the nonvolatile storage means A9 is written at a cycle (minute unit) n (integer) × 30 times the flow rate measurement cycle. Therefore, when the calculation unit B14 reads the integrated flow rate value stored in the nonvolatile storage means A9, it is read at a cycle (minute unit) that is (n (integer) × 30) times the flow rate measurement cycle. For example, in the case of the ultrasonic flow rate measuring means described above, the measurement cycle is 2 seconds, so the minimum readout cycle is a 1-minute cycle.

  The instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value temporarily stored in the RAM area of the calculation unit B14 is stored and stored in the large-capacity nonvolatile storage means B17 by the calculation unit B14.

  In this way, it is possible to accumulate flow rate integrated value data over a long period (for example, for a month) or to accumulate instantaneous flow rate data for a certain period (for example, about 2 hours). When the data collection start / end selection means 15 selects the end of data collection, the calculation unit B14 finishes reading the instantaneous flow rate or the flow rate integrated value from the nonvolatile storage means A9.

  When the reading of the flow rate data of the instantaneous flow rate or the integrated flow rate value from the non-volatile storage means A9 is completed, the instantaneous flow rate or flow rate integrated value stored in the non-volatile storage means B17 for a long time passes through the input / output means 19. Then transfer the communication to an external device such as a PC.

  As described above, the flow rate measuring device of the present invention shows how the flow rate integrated value has changed over a long period (for example, one month) without impairing the original flow rate measuring function, or for a certain period (for example, about 2 hours). It will be possible to collect data on how the instantaneous flow rate has changed. For example, when the fluid is gas, it becomes possible to analyze the amount of gas used for each time zone in the data collection period, the amount of gas used for each day of the week, and the like from the change in accumulated data. In addition, the status of gas leakage in the gas piping is verified from the changes in the accumulated instantaneous flow rate data, and any pressure fluctuation (fluctuation frequency, magnitude of fluctuation, etc.) in the pipe where the flow rate measuring device is installed. ) Can be analyzed.

  As described above, the flow rate measuring device according to the present invention is not limited to how the flow rate integrated value has changed over a long period of time (for example, for one month) without impairing the original flow rate measuring function, or for a certain period (for example, It is possible to collect how the instantaneous flow rate has changed (for about 2 hours). For example, when the fluid is gas, the amount of gas used and the day of the week in the data collection period from the change in accumulated data It becomes possible to analyze the amount of other gas used.

1 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram of a conventional flow measurement device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flow measurement means 2 Flow integration means 3 Storage means 4 Communication means 5 Power supply A
6 Input / output unit 7 Flow rate display means 8 Shut-off means 9 Non-volatile memory means A
10 Control means 11 Intermittent power supply means A
12 Calculation unit A
13 Write flow rate data means 14 Calculation section B
15 Data collection start / end selection means 16 Intermittent power supply means B
17 Nonvolatile storage means B
18 Power supply B
19 Input / output means 20 Flow rate measurement unit 21 Data collection unit

Claims (3)

A flow rate measuring means for outputting flow rate measurement data corresponding to the passing flow rate, a calculation unit A that performs calculation processing based on the flow rate measurement data and obtains an instantaneous flow rate or a flow rate integrated value, and a flow rate such as an instantaneous flow rate or a flow rate integrated value Non-volatile storage means A for holding data, intermittent power supply means A for supplying power to the non-volatile storage means A during operation of the non-volatile storage means A, the instantaneous flow rate written to the non-volatile storage means A and the A flow rate measurement unit comprising: a write flow rate data selection unit that selects flow rate data of the flow rate integrated value; a flow rate display unit that displays the instantaneous flow rate and the flow rate integrated value calculated by the calculation unit A; When the flow rate data written to the non-volatile storage means A is read by the calculation unit B, the calculation unit B that reads the flow rate data written to the non-volatile storage means A Intermittent power supply means B for supplying power to the storage means A, non-volatile storage means B for holding the flow rate data read by the calculation section B, and commands for starting or ending data collection to the calculation section B Data collection start / end selection means, input / output means for transferring the flow rate data held in the non-volatile storage means B to the outside, and a data collection unit comprising a power supply B . The instantaneous flow rate value is selected by the writing flow rate data selection means, the instantaneous flow rate value is periodically written to the nonvolatile storage means A, and the instantaneous flow rate value is periodically time-sequentially stored in the nonvolatile storage means B via the calculation unit B. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate measuring device is stored in an automatic manner. The flow integrated value is selected by the write flow data selection means, the flow integrated value is periodically written in the nonvolatile storage means A, and the flow integrated value is periodically stored in the nonvolatile storage means B via the calculation unit B. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate measuring device is stored in time series.

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