JP2006053071A - Gas meter replacement method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To replace an existing gas meter with a new one without connecting a test tee to the midway of an exit-side pipe in advance without requiring particular experience so that air does not remain in the new gas meter and the exit-side pipe. <P>SOLUTION: The gas meter replacement method replaces the existing gas meter, in which an entry-side cap 1a and an exit-side cap 1b are detachably connected to an entry-side pipe 2a and the exit-side pipe 2b, with the new gas meter B. The new gas meter, having an entry-side opening/closing means 5a for switching the entry-side cap and the inside of the gas meter between a communicated state and a cut-off state and an exit-side opening/closing means 5b for switching the exit-side cap and the inside of the gas meter between a communicated state and a cut-off state, is filled with gas. With the opening/closing means switched to the cut-off state, the existing gas meter is removed from the entry-side pipe and the exit-side pipe. After the new gas meter is connected to the entry-side pipe and the exit-side pipe, the opening/closing means are switched to the communicated state to replacement with the new gas meter. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter exchanging method for exchanging an existing gas meter in which an inlet cap is detachably connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet cap is connected to an outlet pipe with a new gas meter.

In the above gas meter replacement method, when a new gas meter is connected to the inlet side piping and the outlet side piping instead of the existing gas meter, it is necessary to connect so that no air remains in the new gas meter. If the so-called air purge that excludes air is performed using the combustion equipment installed in the customer's house connected to the outlet piping, the customer is requested to stay home in advance. As well as the disadvantage of constraining the customer's time, and if the customer is absent, the purge operator must wait until the customer is at home, There is a disadvantage that the work cost increases, and further, if the person in charge of the purge operation is refused to enter the customer's house, the air purge itself cannot be performed.
Therefore, a branch side opening is provided in the middle of the outlet piping outside the customer's house so that it can be connected so that no air remains in the new gas meter without using combustion equipment installed in the customer's house. Connect a test gas that can be freely opened and closed with a plug, etc., and connect the new gas meter to the inlet and outlet pipes instead of the existing gas meter. A gas meter replacement method (hereinafter referred to as the first prior art) for replacing the existing gas meter with a new gas meter by performing an air purge that discharges residual air in the new gas meter using the branch side opening of the test Qi, or the inlet side With the gas flow blocked in the piping, remove the existing gas meter from the inlet and outlet piping and seal the outlet piping with a cap so that air does not flow into the outlet piping. At the same time, after connecting the inlet of the new gas meter to the inlet pipe and performing an air purge that discharges residual air in the new gas meter through the outlet base with the gas flowing in from the inlet pipe, A gas meter replacement method (hereinafter referred to as second prior art) has been proposed in which an existing gas meter is replaced with a new gas meter by connecting to the outlet pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-166867 A

However, according to the first prior art, in order to enable connection so that no air remains in the new gas meter without using a combustion device or the like installed in the customer's home, according to the first conventional technique, In addition, it is necessary to connect in advance a test chee that closes the branch side opening with a plug or the like so that it can be opened and closed. If the test chee is not connected, the air purge itself cannot be performed.
Therefore, when the test Qi is not connected, for example, it may be possible to open a through hole in the middle of the outlet side pipe when replacing the gas meter and perform air purge using the through hole. After performing work or air purging, there is a drawback that it takes time and trouble to restore the through hole, and if the exit side piping is embedded in the wall when rebuilding the building, the exit side It is impossible to make a through hole in the pipe itself.
In addition, according to the second prior art, air is introduced into the new gas meter without connecting a test tee in the middle of the outlet pipe, or without making a through hole in the middle of the outlet pipe when replacing the gas meter. Although it can be connected so that it does not remain, after performing the air purge to connect only the inlet side cap of the new gas meter to the inlet side pipe and discharge the air in the new gas meter through the outlet side base with the gas flowing in from the inlet side pipe, Since the outlet side cap is connected to the outlet side piping, if it takes time to connect the outlet side base of the new gas meter to the outlet side piping after performing the air purge in the new gas meter, Skilled in connection work because air may flow through the outlet base or air may flow into the outlet pipe, leaving air in both the new gas meter and the outlet pipe. There is a drawback required.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is not necessary to connect a test tee in advance in the middle of the outlet piping, and no special skill is required. The purpose is to allow an existing gas meter to be replaced with a new gas meter so that no air remains in the side pipe.

  A first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a gas meter exchanging method in which an existing gas meter in which an inlet cap is detachably connected to an inlet pipe and an outlet cap is connected to an outlet pipe is replaced with a new gas meter. An inlet side opening / closing means capable of switching the communication between the inlet side base and the gas meter between the communication state and the cutoff state, and an outlet side opening / closing means capable of switching between the outlet side base and the inside of the gas meter between the communication state and the cutoff state. The new gas meter is filled with gas, and the inlet side opening / closing means and the outlet side opening / closing means are switched to a cut-off state, and the inlet side cap of the existing gas meter The outlet side base is removed from the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe, and the inlet side base and the outlet side base of the new gas meter are connected to the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe, and then the inlet side With opening and closing means Switching between serial output-side switching means in communication with, there the existing gas meter to a point to replace the new gas meter.

[Action and effect]
The inlet side opening / closing means can be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state between the inlet side base and the gas meter, and the outlet side opening / closing means can be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state between the outlet side base and the gas meter. Using a new gas meter, the new gas meter is filled with gas, and the inlet side opening / closing means and the outlet side opening / closing means are switched to the shut-off state, so the new gas meter is filled through the inlet side cap and outlet side base. There is no risk of the gas flowing out or air entering the new gas meter.
Remove the inlet and outlet caps of the existing gas meter from the inlet and outlet piping, and connect the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter filled with gas to the inlet and outlet piping. After that, the inlet side opening / closing means and the outlet side opening / closing means are switched to the communication state, and the new gas meter is connected to the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe through the inlet side base and the outlet side base. The existing gas meter can be quickly and easily replaced with the new gas meter so that no air remains in the new gas meter without performing the air purge for discharging the residual air in the gas meter.
Therefore, there is no need to connect a test tee in the middle of the outlet piping, and no special skill is required, so that no air remains in the new gas meter or the outlet piping. The gas meter can be replaced with a new gas meter.

  The second characteristic configuration of the present invention is a gas meter exchanging method in which an existing gas meter in which an inlet base is connected to an inlet pipe in a detachable manner and an outlet base is connected to the outlet pipe is replaced with a new gas meter. A pair of couplers that can be connected to each other is provided, and each of the couplers is provided with a normally closed opening / closing means that opens when connected to each other, and one of the pair of couplers is connected to the new gas meter. Attach to each of the inlet and outlet caps, fill the new gas meter with gas, remove the existing gas meter from the inlet and outlet piping, and connect the inlet and outlet piping. The other of the pair of couplers is attached to each, and then the inlet of the new gas meter is connected to the other coupler attached to each of the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe. Wherein is mounted on each of the gold and the exit-side cap Connect one coupler, is the existing gas meter to a point to replace the new gas meter.

[Action and effect]
One of a pair of couplers, each of which is provided with a normally closed opening / closing means that opens when connected to each other, is attached to each of the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter, and the new gas meter is filled with gas. Therefore, there is no possibility that the gas filled in the new gas meter flows out or the air flows into the new gas meter through the inlet side cap and the outlet side cap.
Then, remove the existing gas meter from the inlet and outlet pipes and connect the other coupler, which has a normally closed opening / closing means, to prevent the inflow of air into the inlet and outlet pipes. A pair of couplers are attached to each of the piping and outlet piping, and then the other coupler and one coupler attached to each of the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter are connected to each other. Opening and closing means provided in each of the two are opened to connect the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter to the inlet and outlet piping, so that the air in the new gas meter is discharged as before. A new gas meter can be quickly and simply connected to the inlet side piping and the outlet side piping without air purge.
Therefore, there is no need to connect a test tee in the middle of the outlet piping, and no special skill is required, so that no air remains in the new gas meter or the outlet piping. The gas meter can be replaced with a new gas meter.
In addition, the other coupler provided with a normally closed opening / closing means is attached to each of the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe, and one coupler attached to each of the inlet side base and the outlet side base of the new gas meter. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to replace the existing gas meter with a new gas meter at a later date, even if the existing gas meter is removed from the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe, There is no risk of air flowing into the side piping or the outlet piping.

  A third characteristic configuration of the present invention is a gas meter exchanging method in which an existing gas meter in which an inlet base is connected to an inlet pipe in a detachable manner and an outlet base is connected to the outlet pipe is replaced with a new gas meter. A pair of couplers that can be connected to each other is provided, and a normally closed opening / closing means that opens by connecting the couplers to each other is provided in one of the pair of couplers, and the other is not provided with the opening / closing means. The coupler is attached to each of the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter, the existing gas meter is removed from the inlet and outlet pipings, and each of the inlet and outlet pipings, After attaching the one coupler, the one coupler attached only to the inlet pipe of the new gas meter and the other coupler attached to the inlet pipe Subsequently, with the gas flowing in from the inlet side pipe, an air purge is performed in which the air in the new gas meter is discharged through the other coupler attached to the outlet side base, and then attached to the outlet side base. The other coupler is connected to the one coupler attached to the outlet pipe, and the existing gas meter is replaced with the new gas meter.

One of a pair of couplers that can be connected to each other is provided with a normally closed opening / closing means that opens when connected to each other, and the existing gas meter is removed from the inlet side piping and the outlet side piping, and the normally closed opening / closing means is provided. Since one coupler provided with is attached to each of the inlet side piping and the outlet side piping, the inflow of air to the inlet side piping and the outlet side piping can be prevented.
And the other coupler which is not provided with the opening and closing means is attached to each of the inlet side base and the outlet side base of the new gas meter, and only the other coupler attached to the inlet side base is provided in the inlet side pipe. By connecting to one coupler, the opening and closing means provided in one of the couplers is opened to connect the inlet side pipe and the inlet side base, and the gas flowing in from the inlet side pipe is used as the air in the new gas meter. Is purged through the other coupler attached to the outlet base.
After that, by connecting the other coupler attached to the outlet base to one coupler attached to the outlet pipe, the opening / closing means provided in the one coupler is also opened, and the outlet pipe and outlet are connected. Since the side cap is communicated, the outlet cap of the new gas meter that has been air purged can be quickly and easily connected to the outlet piping so that air does not flow into the new gas meter.
Therefore, there is no need to connect a test tee in the middle of the outlet piping, and no special skill is required, so that no air remains in the new gas meter or the outlet piping. The gas meter can be replaced with a new gas meter.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
In FIG. 1, the inlet meter base 1a is detachably connected to the inlet side pipe base 3a of the inlet side gas pipe 2a, and the outlet side meter base 1b is connected to the outlet side pipe base 3b of the outlet side gas pipe 2b. The existing gas meter A for city gas is shown, and the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b are held at the interval for connecting the gas meter by the interval holder 8, and the inlet side gas pipe 2a and the outlet side gas are provided. The lower end side of the pipe 2b is buried in the ground and fixed vertically, and the inlet side gas pipe 2a is connected to the city gas supply pipe 9, and the outlet side gas pipe 2b is connected to the customer-side residential pipe 10 Yes, a meter gas stopper 11 is provided in the inlet side gas pipe 2a, and an insulating joint 12 is provided in the outlet side gas pipe 2b.
FIG. 1 shows a state where the meter gas stopper 11 is open.

  As shown in FIG. 2, union 4a, 4b having an internal threaded portion 13 formed on the inner peripheral side is mounted in advance on the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b so as to be freely rotatable in a retaining state. Yes, male threads 15 are formed on the inlet meter base 1a and the outlet meter base 1b so as to be screwed into the female threads 13 of the unions 4a and 4b, and the inlet meter base 1a is brought into contact with the inlet piping base 3a. In addition to being detachably connected by the side union 4a, the outlet meter base 1b is abutted against the outlet pipe base 3b and connected by the outlet union 4b, and the existing gas meter A is attached to the gas pipes 2a and 2b in a predetermined posture. .

  The existing gas meter A is a so-called microcomputer meter that is integrally provided with an upper case 17 in which a controller, a pressure switch, a seismic device, a shut-off valve, etc. are housed in a meter body 16 having a fluidic gas meter. There will be described a gas meter replacement method according to the present invention in which the existing gas meter A is replaced with a new gas meter B before the expiration date.

The new gas meter B is composed of a microcomputer meter similar to the existing gas meter A. As shown in FIG. 3, the new gas meter B includes an existing side meter base 1a and an outgoing side meter base 1b having the same diameter as the existing gas meter A. An inlet side shut-off valve (incoming side opening / closing means) 5a which is provided at the same interval as A and can be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state between the inlet meter base 1a and the gas meter inside, and an outlet meter base 1b and the gas meter inside Is provided with an exit side shut-off valve (outgoing side opening / closing means) 5b that can be switched between a communication state and a shut-off state, and a city gas is previously filled in the gas meter, and the entrance side shut-off valve 5a and the exit side shut-off valve 5b Has been switched to the shut-off state.
In FIG. 3, both the inlet-side cutoff valve 5a and the outlet-side cutoff valve 5b are in a cutoff state.

  Then, in the state where the gas flow in the inlet side gas pipe 2a is blocked by the meter gas plug 11, the inlet side union 4a and the outlet side union 4b are loosened, and as shown in FIG. Is removed from the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b, and the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b are closed with a closing means such as a rubber plug 18 as shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 4 (c), the inlet side meter base 1a and the outlet side meter base 2b of the new gas meter B are connected to the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b from which the rubber plug 18 has been removed. , 4b, and thereafter, the inlet side shutoff valve 5a and the outlet side shutoff valve 5b are switched to the communication state, and the meter gas plug 11 is opened to replace the existing gas meter A with a new gas meter B.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 includes a pair of couplers composed of a socket 6 and a plug 7, and an opening / closing means such as a normally closed valve body that is opened by pushing the plug 7 into the socket 6 and fitting and connecting to each other (not shown) ) Is provided in each of the socket 6 and the plug 7, and the so-called one-touch type pipe joint 19 is used to replace the existing gas meter A with the new gas meter B. The form is shown.

  The pipe joint 19 is configured so that the socket 6 and the plug 7 can be fixedly connected to each other in a state of being prevented from coming off by fitting and connecting the socket 6 and the plug 7, and as shown in FIG. A socket union 22 that includes a socket base 20 that abuts against the outlet meter base 1b and that has a female screw portion 21 that engages with the male screw portion 15 of the inlet meter base 1a and the outlet meter base 1b is removed in advance. The plug 7 is mounted so as to be freely rotatable in a stopped state, and the plug 7 includes a plug base 23 that abuts on the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b, and a male thread portion that is screwed into the inlet side union 4a and the outlet side union 4b. 24.

  In the new gas meter B, as shown in FIG. 7, a socket 6 is fixed to each of the inlet meter base 1a and the outlet meter base 1b with a socket union 22, and a city gas is previously filled in the gas meter at a factory or the like. It is.

  Then, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, with the meter gas plug 11 blocking the gas flow in the inlet side gas pipe 2a, the inlet side union 4a and the outlet side union 4b are loosened, and the existing gas meter A is inserted. Remove the side pipe base 1a and the outlet side pipe base 1b, and connect the plug 7 to the inlet side union 4a and the outlet side union as shown in FIG. Fix with 4b.

  In addition, after removing the inlet-side meter base 1a and the outlet-side meter base 1b of the existing gas meter A from the inlet-side piping base 3a and the outlet-side piping base 3b, plugs 7 are connected to the inlet-side piping base 3a and the outlet-side piping base 3b. Until the fixing, the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b may be closed with a closing means such as a rubber plug.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the plug 7 fixed to each of the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b is fixed to the inlet side meter base 1a and the outlet side meter base 1b of the new gas meter B. The socket 6 is pushed in and engaged with each other to open the valve body provided in each of the socket 6 and the plug 7 so that the inlet meter base 1a and the outlet meter base 1b are connected to the inlet pipe. The base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b are communicated with each other, and the existing gas meter A is replaced with a new gas meter B.
Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 8 includes a pair of couplers including a socket 6 and a plug 7, and opening / closing means such as a normally-closed valve body that is opened by pushing the plug 7 into the socket 6 and fitting and connecting to each other (not shown) ) Is provided in the plug 7, and another embodiment of the gas meter replacement method according to the present invention in which the existing gas meter A is replaced with a new gas meter B by using two so-called one-touch type pipe joints 19 will be described.

  In the new gas meter B, the normally opened socket 6 of the pair of couplers is fixed to the inlet meter base 1a and the outlet meter base 1b with socket unions 22 in the same manner as shown in FIG. is there.

  Then, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, with the meter gas plug 11 blocking the gas flow in the inlet side gas pipe 2a, the inlet side union 4a and the outlet side union 4b are loosened, and the existing gas meter A is inserted. The plug 7 is removed from the side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b, and as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the inlet side pipe base 3a and the outlet side pipe base 3b are each provided with a normally closed valve body. Is fixed by the input side union 4a and the output side union 4b.

  Among the plugs 7, the outlet side plug 7 b fixed to the outlet side pipe base 3 b includes a base side pipe portion 25 having a plug base 23 and a main body side pipe having a plug body 26, as shown in FIG. 9. Formed on the portion 27 are male screw portions 28 that are reversely threaded to each other, and are integrally connected by a nut 29 having mutually oppositely threaded female screw portions that are screwed to these male screw portions 28, and can be expanded and contracted by rotating the nut 29. The outlet side plug 7b is configured to be freely fixed to the outlet side pipe base 3b in a contracted state, and the inlet side plug 7a fixed to the inlet side pipe base 3a by rotating the nut 29 is provided. It is configured to be able to extend to substantially the same length.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8 (b), only the socket 6 fixed to the inlet meter base 1a of the new gas meter B is pushed into the plug 7a fixed to the inlet pipe base 3a to be connected to each other. As a result, the valve body provided in the plug 7a is opened, the inlet meter base 1a and the inlet pipe base 3a are communicated, the meter gas plug 11 is opened, and the gas flowing in from the inlet gas pipe 2a Then, air purge is performed to discharge the air in the new gas meter B through the normally open socket 6 provided in the outlet meter cap 1b.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8C, the outlet plug 7b is extended by rotating the nut 29, and is fitted and connected to the socket 6 fixed to the outlet meter base 1b of the new gas meter B. As a result, the valve body provided in the outlet plug 7a is opened, the outlet meter base 1b and the outlet pipe base 3b are communicated, and the existing gas meter A is replaced with a new gas meter B.

[Other Embodiments]
1. The gas meter replacement method according to the present invention may be configured such that, when the gas meter is supported, a support means is separately provided and supported without being supported by hanging the gas meter connected to the pipe.
2. The gas meter replacement method according to the present invention may be used to replace various gas meters such as a membrane gas meter, a rotor gas meter, a turbine gas meter, and a vortex gas meter.

Front view showing the connection state of the existing gas meter Partial cutaway front view of the main part Front view of main parts Illustration of how to replace the gas meter Explanatory drawing of the gas meter exchange method of a 2nd embodiment Side view of the main part Front view of main parts Explanatory drawing of the gas meter exchange method of a 3rd embodiment Exploded side view of main parts

Explanation of symbols

1a Inlet side cap 1b Outlet side cap 2a Inlet side piping 2b Outlet side piping 5a Inlet side opening / closing means 5b Outlet side opening / closing means 6 Coupler 7 Coupler A Existing gas meter B New gas meter

Claims (3)

A gas meter exchanging method in which an existing gas meter in which an inlet base is connected to an inlet pipe in a detachable manner and an outlet base is connected to an outlet pipe is replaced with a new gas meter,
The inlet side opening / closing means can be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state between the inlet side base and the gas meter, and the outlet side opening / closing means can be switched between a communication state and a cutoff state between the outlet side base and the gas meter. Using a new gas meter, filling the new gas meter with gas, and switching the inlet side opening and closing means and the outlet side opening and closing means to a shut-off state,
The inlet and outlet caps of the existing gas meter are removed from the inlet and outlet piping, and the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter are removed from the inlet and outlet piping. Connected to
Then, the gas meter replacement method of switching the existing gas meter to the new gas meter by switching the inlet side opening / closing means and the outlet side opening / closing means to a communication state. A gas meter exchanging method in which an existing gas meter in which an inlet base is connected to an inlet pipe in a detachable manner and an outlet base is connected to an outlet pipe is replaced with a new gas meter,
A pair of couplers that can be connected to each other is provided, and each of the couplers is provided with a normally closed type opening / closing means that opens by connecting to each other
One of the pair of couplers is attached to each of the inlet and outlet caps of the new gas meter, and the new gas meter is filled with gas,
The existing gas meter is removed from the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe, and the other of the pair of couplers is attached to each of the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe,
Then, to the other coupler attached to each of the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe, the one coupler attached to each of the inlet side base and the outlet side base of the new gas meter is connected, and A gas meter replacement method for replacing an existing gas meter with the new gas meter. A gas meter exchanging method in which an existing gas meter in which an inlet base is connected to an inlet pipe in a detachable manner and an outlet base is connected to an outlet pipe is replaced with a new gas meter,
A pair of couplers connectable to each other is provided, and a normally closed opening / closing means that opens by connecting the couplers to each other is provided in one of the pair of couplers,
The other coupler not provided with the opening and closing means is attached to each of the inlet side base and the outlet side base of the new gas meter,
After removing the existing gas meter from the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe and attaching the one coupler to each of the inlet side pipe and the outlet side pipe,
Only the other coupler attached to the inlet pipe of the new gas meter is connected to the one coupler attached to the inlet pipe, and the gas flowing in from the inlet pipe is used as the air in the new gas meter. An air purge that discharges through the other coupler attached to the outlet base,
Then, the gas meter replacement method of connecting the other coupler attached to the outlet side base to the one coupler attached to the outlet side pipe and replacing the existing gas meter with the new gas meter.

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