JP2006071650A - Flowrate-measuring device with safety functions - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shut off a passage to ensure safety, when an earthquake is detected. <P>SOLUTION: The flowrate-measuring device comprises a control means 17 for controlling a passage adjusting means 16, in response to the instantaneous flowrate of an instantaneous flowrate measuring means 14 and an earthquake level of an earthquake-sensing means 15. Thereby, a plurality of earthquake levels can be measured, and the opening of the passage can be adjusted, in response to the earthquake levels and the instantaneous flowrate. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow rate measuring means having a safety function of blocking a flow path when an earthquake is detected.

  Conventionally, this type of flow rate measuring means has been known as described in Patent Document 1. The configuration will be described below with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a fluidic element 1 that generates a fluidic oscillation by gas ejected from the flow path, a fluidic oscillation detection sensor 2 that detects the fluidic oscillation generated by the fluidic element 1, and the fluidic detection sensor 2. The flow rate calculation unit 3 for measuring the flow rate of the gas flowing in the gas flow path based on the output of the gas, the shutoff valve 4 for blocking the gas flow path, the seismic sensor 5 for detecting an earthquake, An earthquake determination unit 6 that determines whether the gas flow path should be cut off based on the output of the vessel 5 and a determination whether the gas flow path should be cut off based on the output of the fluidic oscillation detection sensor 2 When the earthquake / impact determination unit 7 and the earthquake determination unit 6 and the earthquake / impact determination unit 7 determine that the gas flow path should be shut off, the shut-off valve 4 is driven to shut off the gas flow path. That it was equipped with a safety function unit 8. Here, 9 is an analog amplifier, 10 is a waveform shaping circuit, 11 is a flow rate integration unit, 12 is a flow rate display unit, and 13 is a shut-off valve drive circuit.

In the above configuration, the earthquake determination determines whether the earthquake is based on the pulse pattern output from the seismic sensor 5. Based on the analog output of the fluidic oscillation detection sensor 2 output from the analog amplifier 9, the earthquake / impact determination unit 7 determines whether the vibration is equivalent to a seismic intensity of 5 or more and determines whether it is an earthquake or an impact. The safety function unit 8 is judged as an earthquake or vibration having a seismic intensity of 5 or more based on either the output of the seismic sensor 5 or the analog output of the fluidic oscillation detection sensor 2, and the impact is based on the analog output of the fluidic oscillation detection sensor 2. If it is determined that it is not, the gas flow path can be shut off if the flow rate before and after the earthquake is confirmed and there is a flow rate.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-72768

  However, in the above conventional technique, since the earthquake level cannot be measured at a plurality of levels, it takes time to determine whether or not the flow path is blocked. In addition, there is a problem that instantaneous measurement of the flow rate and adjustment of the opening of the flow path cannot be performed.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an ultrasonic flowmeter that measures an instantaneous flow rate of a fluid flowing through a flow path, seismic sensing means that measures an earthquake level, and a motor-type cutoff that adjusts the opening of the flow path. When the earthquake level of the valve and the seismic means is a predetermined level or more and the instantaneous flow rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter is a first predetermined flow rate or more and less than a second predetermined flow rate, the flow path is adjusted to a predetermined opening degree. Control means for controlling the motor type shut-off valve is provided.

  As a result, even when the earthquake level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the flow path is closed only when a large flow rate is flowing.

  According to the present invention, even when the earthquake level is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the flow path can be closed only when a large flow rate is flowing.

  The present invention includes an instantaneous flow rate measuring means for measuring an instantaneous flow rate of a fluid flowing in a flow path, a seismic sensing means for measuring a plurality of earthquake levels, and a flow path adjusting means for adjusting the opening degree of the flow path. Control means for controlling the flow path adjusting means according to the instantaneous flow rate of the flow rate measuring means and the earthquake level of the seismic means is provided. A plurality of earthquake levels can be measured, and the opening of the flow path can be adjusted according to the instantaneous flow rate information according to the earthquake level.

  The seismic means is configured to output a continuous earthquake level as a voltage signal. And the opening degree of a flow path can be adjusted instantaneously according to the magnitude | size of an earthquake level and an instantaneous flow volume, and when a big earthquake should occur, it can be closed in a short time.

  Moreover, the seismic means was configured to have seismic measurement sensitivity in all three-dimensional directions. And since it can detect with respect to the earthquake of any direction, even if this apparatus is installed in the state which inclined, an earthquake can be detected.

  The instantaneous flow rate measuring means was an ultrasonic flow meter. And by setting it as an ultrasonic flowmeter, a flow volume can be measured instantaneously and the opening degree of a flow path can be changed according to an instantaneous instantaneous flow volume and an earthquake level.

  Further, the flow path adjusting means includes a motor type shut-off valve that can freely adjust the flow path from closing to opening. And since the opening degree of a flow path can be freely adjusted with a motor, the opening degree of a flow path can be adjusted according to an instantaneous flow volume and an earthquake level.

  The control means is configured to control the flow path adjusting means so as to stop the flow rate when the earthquake level is a predetermined level or higher and the instantaneous flow rate is also a predetermined flow rate or higher. And even if an earthquake level is more than predetermined value, a flow path can be closed only when a big flow is flowing.

  Further, the control means is configured to open the flow path by the flow path adjusting means if the instantaneous flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate after a certain time after the flow rate is stopped. And by gradually opening while confirming the instantaneous flow rate, even if there is a leak due to an earthquake, the leak flow rate can be detected at the minimum flow rate and shut off from the minimum opening of the flow path, so it is done in a short time be able to.

  The control means is configured to control the flow rate adjusting means for adjusting the flow path to a predetermined opening when the earthquake level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level and the instantaneous flow rate is lower than the predetermined flow rate. If the earthquake level does not reach the point where the flow path is blocked, the opening degree of the flow path can be reduced to such an extent that the downstream gas appliance is not misfired, and safety can be maintained.

  The instantaneous flow rate measuring means, the seismic means, the flow path adjusting means, and the control means use a battery as a drive power source, and the instantaneous flow rate measuring means, the seismic means, and the flow path adjusting means are operated intermittently. Equipped with. And it can measure, without installing electrical wiring in a flow path by driving with a battery, and can extend the lifetime of a battery for a long time by operating intermittently.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a flow rate measuring apparatus with a safety function according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, 14 is an ultrasonic flow meter as an instantaneous flow rate measuring means, 15 is a seismic sensing means for measuring a plurality of earthquake levels, 16 is a motor type shut-off valve as a flow path adjusting means, and 17 is an ultrasonic flow meter 14. It is a control means which adjusts the opening degree of a flow path using a motor type shut-off valve according to the measured instantaneous flow rate and the measured earthquake level of the seismic means 15. The seismic sensing means 15 includes three acceleration sensors, and each of the X sensor 18, the Y sensor 19, and the Z sensor 20 has main detection sensitivity in directions orthogonal to each other as shown in FIG. The main sensitivity direction is indicated by an arrow. Each sensor outputs a voltage in proportion to the magnitude of vibration acceleration. Therefore, the acceleration level in the actual vibration direction can be calculated by converting the voltage values of the three sensors and performing vector synthesis. Here, reference numeral 21 denotes a battery as a power source for the ultrasonic flow meter 14, the X sensor 18, the Y sensor 19, the Z sensor 20, the motor control valve 16, and the control means 17 of the seismic sensing means 15. The power supply of the battery 21 is controlled by the power supply control means 22.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic flowmeter 14 measures the flow velocity by using the ultrasonic signals of the two ultrasonic transducers 24 and 25 installed facing the flow path 23 and converts the flow rate. Is. The motor valve 16 adjusts the opening degree of the flow path 23 by a valve seat 26 provided in the flow path and a valve lid 28 provided on the motor shaft 27.

  Next, the operation and action will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, the power control means 22 provided in the control means 17 turns on the power, and supplies driving electricity to the ultrasonic sensor 14, the X sensor 18, the Y sensor 19, and the Z sensor 20 of the seismic sensing means 15. Then, the instantaneous flow rate is measured by the ultrasonic flow meter 14 and simultaneously the voltage value of each sensor of the seismic sensing means is measured. Then, the power is temporarily turned off to save power. The control means calculates vibration acceleration obtained by vector calculation by converting the voltage values of the three sensors into acceleration. When the vibration acceleration is less than a first predetermined value, for example, 150 gal, the instantaneous flow rate and the measurement of each sensor are repeated again with the intermittent operation of turning on and off the power.

  On the other hand, if it is 150 gal or more, the power to the seismic means is turned on, and for example, a vibration acceleration waveform for a predetermined time of 3 seconds is measured. During this measurement, a vector calculation value is obtained from the voltage values in the three directions, and if the second predetermined value, for example, 980 gal or more, the motor type shut-off valve closes the flow path. If it is less than 980 gal, a composite waveform is obtained from the measured data series in the three directions, and a discrimination coefficient for determining whether or not it is an earthquake is calculated. For example, the discrimination coefficient is obtained from the peak value of the composite waveform and the dispersion value of the zero-cross period of the waveform, and is judged as an earthquake when the dispersion value is large, and as an impact when the dispersion value is small. Whether or not it is an earthquake is determined based on the discrimination coefficient. If it is determined that the earthquake is not an earthquake, the instantaneous flow rate and the measurement of each sensor are repeated again.

  Further, when it is determined that the earthquake is detected, if the measured instantaneous flow rate is less than a predetermined flow rate, for example, less than 100 liters / hour, the flow path is semi-closed by a motor type shut-off valve. If it is determined that there is an earthquake and the measured instantaneous flow rate is 100 liters / hour or more, the flow path is immediately closed by the motor type shut-off valve. Then, after closing the flow path, the flow rate is measured with an ultrasonic flowmeter when a predetermined time, for example, 1 hour elapses, and if the measured flow rate is greater than the predetermined flow rate, for example, 3 liters / hour, wait for 1 hour to elapse again. However, if the flow rate is less than 3 liters / hour, the flow path is opened by the motor control valve.

In this way, safety measures that match the level and flow rate of an earthquake can be instantaneously provided by a sensor that outputs a voltage signal corresponding to vibration acceleration and an ultrasonic flow meter that can measure the instantaneous flow rate. And since the seismic sensing means has three sensors arranged in directions perpendicular to each other, the acceleration level in the main direction of the earthquake can be measured by vector synthesis of the three signals, and the seismic sensing means is tilted. Even if it is installed, the resultant vector can be measured, so that the degree of freedom can be given to the installation of the ultrasonic flowmeter. In addition, since the opening of the flow path can be freely adjusted by the motor type shut-off valve, the opening degree of the flow path can be adjusted steplessly according to the instantaneous flow rate and earthquake level, and various safety measures can be taken. It can be applied according to the case.

  Further, the control means can stop the flow rate only when the instantaneous flow rate is equal to or higher than the predetermined flow rate even when the earthquake level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level and the waveform is determined to be an earthquake. As a result, if the earthquake determination is a false alarm, it is possible to avoid closing the flow path when it is not necessary to close it. In addition, if the instantaneous flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate after a certain period of time after stopping the flow rate, it can be automatically restored by automatically opening the flow path with the motor type shut-off valve, and in the unlikely event there is a leak due to an earthquake. Even in this case, since the leakage flow rate can be detected with the minimum flow rate, the flow rate can be shut off in a short time from the minimum opening of the flow path. Also, when the earthquake level is above the predetermined level and the instantaneous flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate, by controlling the motor type shut-off valve so that the flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate, When it does not reach, safety can be maintained by narrowing the opening of the flow path to such an extent that the downstream gas appliance is not misfired.

  In addition, the ultrasonic flowmeter, the seismic sensing means, the motor control valve, and the control means can be installed without any electrical work at any position on the piping such as a gas piping by using a battery as a driving power source. And by intermittently operating the ultrasonic flowmeter, seismic sensing means and motor type shut-off valve, the power required for the transmission of ultrasonic waves and the electrical output of the seismic sensing means can be kept to a minimum. Measurement is possible.

  The seismic means is described as a sensor that generates an electrical output corresponding to vibration acceleration, but the same effect can be obtained even if a plurality of contact-type seismic switches are used. Furthermore, although the seismic sensing means has been explained by detecting an earthquake, it is possible to cope with all vibrations that can occur in daily life as well as earthquakes. Furthermore, although the seismic means has been described in the case of earthquake detection, it is possible to deal with all vibrations that can occur in daily life as well as earthquakes.

  As is clear from the above description, the flow rate measuring device with a safety function in the embodiment of the present invention provides the following effects.

  An instantaneous flow rate measuring means, a seismic means for measuring the earthquake level, and a flow path adjusting means are provided, and by controlling the flow path adjusting means according to the instantaneous flow rate and the earthquake level, the instantaneous flow rate and the measured earthquake level are controlled. The opening of the road can be adjusted, and a wide range of responses to disasters can be made.

  In addition, by outputting continuous earthquake levels as electrical signals, the opening of the flow path can be adjusted instantaneously according to the magnitude of the earthquake level. It can be closed with.

  In addition, by having seismic measurement sensitivity in all three dimensions, it is possible to detect earthquakes in any direction, and can detect earthquakes even if installed in a tilted state. The degree of freedom of installation can be increased.

  In addition, by using an ultrasonic flow meter, the flow rate can be instantaneously measured, and the flow path can be changed according to the instantaneous instantaneous flow rate and the earthquake level.

  In addition, by using a motor type shut-off valve that can freely adjust the flow path from closing to opening, the opening of the flow path can be freely adjusted by the motor, so the flow path can be opened according to the instantaneous flow rate and earthquake level. The degree can be adjusted steplessly.

Also, by stopping the flow when the earthquake level is greater than or equal to the predetermined level and the instantaneous flow rate is also greater than or equal to the predetermined flow rate, even if the earthquake level is greater than or equal to the predetermined value, the flow only occurs when a large flow rate is flowing. The road can be closed.

  In addition, if the instantaneous flow rate is less than the predetermined flow after a certain amount of time after stopping the flow rate, the flow rate adjustment means opens the flow channel, so that even if there is a leak due to an earthquake, the leak flow rate is detected at the minimum flow rate. This can be done in a short time since it can be blocked from the minimum opening of the flow path.

  In addition, when the earthquake level is equal to or higher than the predetermined level and the instantaneous flow rate is lower than the predetermined flow rate, by adjusting the flow path to a predetermined opening, the flow path is narrowed to the extent that the downstream gas appliance is not misfired, Safety can be maintained.

  In addition, by using a battery as the drive power source, it can be installed anywhere without installing electrical wiring in the flow path, and the ultrasonic flow meter, seismic means, and motor control valve are operated intermittently. Even if a battery is used, long-term measurement can be performed.

1 is a block diagram of a flow rate measuring device with a safety function according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which shows the structure of the seismic means of the apparatus Cross section of the device Flow chart explaining operation of the apparatus Flow chart explaining operation of the apparatus Flow chart explaining operation of the apparatus Block diagram showing a conventional flow measurement device with safety function

Explanation of symbols

14 Ultrasonic flow meter 15 Seismic sensing means 16 Motor control valve 17 Control means 18 X sensor (seismic means)
19 Y sensor
20 Z sensor
21 battery

Claims (4)

An ultrasonic flow meter that measures the instantaneous flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path, a seismic means that measures an earthquake level, a motor type shut-off valve that adjusts the opening of the flow path, and an earthquake level of the seismic means Control means for controlling the motor type shut-off valve for adjusting the flow path to a predetermined opening when the ultrasonic flow meter is at a predetermined level or higher and an instantaneous flow rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter is higher than a first predetermined flow rate and lower than a second predetermined flow rate; A flow measuring device with safety function. When the earthquake level of the seismic means is equal to or higher than a predetermined level and the instantaneous flow rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or higher than the first predetermined flow rate and lower than the second predetermined flow rate, the control means is shut off by a motor. The flow rate measuring device with a safety function according to claim 1, which controls the valve. The control means determines whether or not the signal of the seismic means is an earthquake, and when it is determined as an earthquake, and when the instantaneous flow rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or higher than the first predetermined flow rate and lower than the second predetermined flow rate, The flow rate measuring device with a safety function according to claim 1, wherein the motor cutoff valve is controlled so as to adjust the flow path to a predetermined opening degree. The control means determines whether or not the signal of the seismic means is an earthquake, and when it is determined as an earthquake, and when the instantaneous flow rate of the ultrasonic flowmeter is equal to or higher than the first predetermined flow rate and lower than the second predetermined flow rate, The flow rate measuring device with a safety function according to claim 3, wherein the motor type shut-off valve is controlled so as to semi-close the flow path.

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