JP2008309616A - Flowmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flowmeter capable of previously informing a center of information about a warning phenomenon through an external apparatus or an external network during determination processing of the warning of a measuring fluid such as gas. <P>SOLUTION: A gas meter 1 comprises a microcomputer 10a for determining the warning phenomenon based on various data (for example, battery voltage value, flow rate value, pressure value) acquired by the gas meter 1, and a terminal base 15 for outputting the information about the warning phenomenon determined by the microcomputer 10a to the outside before a lapse of warning determination days. When the microcomputer 10a starts or completes the warning determination processing, or after the warning determination by the microcomputer 10a is started and when a predetermined condition is established before the completion of the warning determination, the terminal base 15 outputs the information about the warning phenomenon to the outside (operating device in home, or center). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow meter, and more particularly to a flow meter such as a gas meter having various warning display functions.

  Conventionally, a so-called microcomputer meter controlled by a microcomputer is used as a gas meter. This microcomputer meter detects the occurrence of various warning events set in advance, and displays a warning display on an LCD or the like according to the detection results.

  Since the gas meter notifies the LCD display and external devices after an abnormality warning is determined, the consumer and the center (gas company) can only respond after the occurrence of an abnormality. I could not respond (diagnosis, prevention, etc.). This is because, after the warning determination is completed, the warning is determined after the warning determination days have elapsed, and is notified to the outside or communicated to the outside. In addition, if the warning display is overlooked or the warning notification is not received, the abnormal situation is not transmitted, and in the worst case, a gas leakage accident may occur.

On the other hand, in the case of the gas meter described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to display a warning of a plurality of warning events, continuously count the period from the time of occurrence of the warning event, and display information indicating the duration of the warning. The display can be made within a predetermined period before or after the display.
JP 2006-17514 A

  However, the gas meter described in Patent Document 1 has a function for displaying the number of days during warning determination, but it is not considered to notify the warning information to the outside. For this reason, it is necessary for consumers, gas companies, etc. to constantly monitor (visually) the gas meter, but it is not realistic to monitor the meter every day.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and during warning judgment processing of a fluid to be measured such as gas, information on the warning event is sent to a center (gas) via an external device (home controller) or an external network. The purpose is to provide a flow meter that can notify the operator in advance.

  In order to solve the above problem, the invention of claim 1 is a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid to be measured, and a warning determination unit that determines a warning event based on various data acquired by the flow meter; And a warning event information output means for outputting information related to the warning event determined by the warning determination means to the outside before the warning determination days have elapsed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the fluid to be measured, the pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the fluid to be measured, and the voltage of a battery as a power source are detected. A battery voltage detecting means for performing the warning event based on data of any one of a flow value by the flow measuring means, a pressure value by the pressure detecting means, and a battery voltage value by the battery voltage detecting means. It is characterized by determining.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warning event information output means outputs information related to the warning event to the outside when the warning determination means starts or ends the warning determination processing. It is characterized by.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to third aspects, the warning event information output means satisfies a predetermined condition after the warning determination is started by the warning determination means and before the warning determination ends. In this case, the information regarding the warning event is output to the outside.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the warning event information output means receives a request signal for information related to the warning event from the outside, according to the request signal, Information regarding the warning event determined by the warning determination means is output to the outside.

  The invention of claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the warning event includes a warning of supply pressure upper limit value abnormality, a supply pressure lower limit value abnormality warning, a clogging pressure abnormality warning, a pressure type slight It is characterized by including at least one of a warning of leakage, a warning of flow-type minute leakage, and a warning of low battery voltage interruption.

  According to the present invention, during warning judgment processing of a fluid to be measured such as gas, information about the warning event can be notified in advance to the center (gas operator) through an external device (home controller) or an external network. It is possible to prevent and diagnose abnormal conditions, and to ensure safety in advance.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a flow meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is also a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a general microcomputer meter. In FIG. 1, 1 is a flow meter (hereinafter referred to as a gas meter), 2 is an external device, 10 is a control unit, 11 is a weighing unit, 12 is a sensor unit, 13 is a display unit, 14 is a blocking unit, 15 is a terminal block, 21 is a home controller, 22 is a network control device (hereinafter referred to as NCU), 23 is a gas leak alarm, 24 is an external device (device of external terminal 1), 25 is an external device (device of external terminal 2) 10a is a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer), 10b is an interface, 10c is a battery, 10e is a container reset switch, 11a is a weighing function, 12a is a battery voltage detection sensor, 12b is a flow rate sensor, 12c is a pressure sensor, 12d is a seismic sensor, 13a is an integrated display function, 13b is a security display function, 13c is a sub-counter display function, 14a is a shutoff valve, and 14b is a shutoff valve opening switch.

  The gas meter 1 includes a control unit 10 that performs various controls in the gas meter 1, a measuring unit 11 that measures a gas flow rate, a sensor unit 12, a display unit 13, and a blocking unit 14, and a terminal that connects to the external device 2. A stand 15 is provided.

  The metering unit 11 includes a metering function 11a that outputs the rotational speed or fluid vibration of the rotating body according to the gas flow rate. The sensor unit 12 includes sensors that detect physical quantities related to the gas flow rate and security. The battery voltage detection sensor 12a detects the voltage of the battery 10c, the flow rate sensor 12b detects the output of the measuring function 11a, and the gas pressure. The pressure sensor 12c detects gas pressure such as a drop, and a seismic sensor 12d detects vibration such as seismic waves. The flow rate sensor 12b is a sensor for detecting the flow rate, and of course may be a flow rate sensor that calculates the flow rate with the microcomputer 10a, or via a flow rate calculator (flow rate converter). The flow rate may be transmitted to the microcomputer 10a.

  The control unit 10 mainly performs arithmetic processing on the captured sensor signal, stores the processing data, and outputs the processed data to the display unit 13 or to the outside via the terminal block 15. 10b, a battery 10c as a power source, a test cutoff switch 10d for testing whether the cutoff valve 14a functions normally, a container reset switch 10e, and the like. The battery 10c serves as a power source for at least the control unit 10. Further, the microcomputer 10a is an electronic control device that commands the flow sensor 12b and performs a process of measuring and integrating the flow based on a flow detection signal from the flow sensor 12b. The memory is configured to record a program for causing the MPU to function and to record processing data.

  The display unit 13 is a display device such as an LCD (liquid crystal display unit) that displays the data processed by the control unit 10 in accordance with a predetermined program or an external command, and includes an integrated gas flow rate display function 13a and a security display. It has a function 13b and the like. The shut-off unit 14 shuts off the control valve according to a command from the microcomputer 10a of the control unit 10 when an abnormality or the like due to the signal of the sensor unit 12 occurs. The shut-off valve 14a as a control valve, the shut-off valve opening switch 14b and the like.

  On the other hand, the external device 2 is equipment connected to the outside of the gas meter 1 via the terminal block 15. For example, the external device 2 makes a call between the home meter 21 that operates the gas meter 1 in the home and the gas meter 1. Other external devices (here, one external device) such as an NCU 22 that controls the telephone exchange network such as sending and disconnecting selection signals, a gas leak alarm device 23 that warns of gas leaks in the gas meter 1, and a handy terminal and PC (personal computer) 24 and two external devices 25) are provided. The NCU 22 is a device that connects the gas meter 1 and the gas meter 1 via a telephone line to perform communication functions (automatic notification, remote shut-off, automatic meter reading, etc.) of the gas meter 1. 1 data is transmitted and received. The handy terminal and the PC are used as a meter reading device and a setting device. The setting device performs setting change or confirmation of the installed gas meter 1. Items to be set and confirmed include continuous use time setting and flaming registration, but their specifications are determined by the operation type of the gas company.

  When the gas meter 1 configured as described above is installed in the gas line and the shut-off valve opening switch 14b is turned on (closed), the valve is kept open by self-holding and gas flow measurement is started. Whether the pressure data detected by the built-in pressure sensor 12c is taken into the control unit 10 and processed, and whether the measurement is continued by determining the security function given to the pressure sensor 12c described above according to a predetermined program. It is instructed whether to close the shut-off valve and issue an alarm. When measuring the current gas pressure, the current gas pressure can be displayed on the display unit 13 for a predetermined time, for example, 10 seconds, by pressing the shut-off valve opening switch 14b.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network of the gas meter 1 according to the present invention. Thus, the gas meter 1 is connected to the NCU 22, and the NCU 22 and the center 4 are connected via the telephone exchange network 3. Thereby, the gas meter 1 and the center 4 are connected so that communication is possible.

  The gas meter 1 according to the present invention includes a microcomputer 10a corresponding to warning determination means for determining a warning event based on various data (for example, battery voltage value, flow rate value, pressure value, etc.) acquired by the gas meter 1, and a microcomputer 10a. And a terminal block 15 corresponding to warning event information output means for outputting information relating to the determined warning event to the outside before the warning determination days have elapsed. The information related to the warning event corresponds to “warning determination start information”, “warning determination in progress information”, and “warning determination end information” described later. Further, the term “outside” as used herein corresponds to the in-home operating device 21 or the center 4 installed in the consumer's home.

  The terminal block 15 outputs information related to the warning event to the outside when the microcomputer 10a starts or ends the warning determination process. Alternatively, the terminal block 15 outputs information related to a warning event to the outside when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the warning determination is started by the microcomputer 10a and before the warning determination is completed. The predetermined condition here is, for example, a case where 10 days have elapsed since the start of the warning determination process.

  Further, when a request signal for information related to a warning event is input from the outside, the terminal block 15 may output information related to the warning event determined by the microcomputer 10a in response to the request signal.

  Note that the above warning events are the warning of supply pressure upper limit value abnormality, supply pressure lower limit value abnormality warning, clogging pressure abnormality warning, pressure type micro leak warning, flow rate type micro leak warning, battery voltage drop cutoff At least one of the warnings.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an example of processing when the warning determination notification function provided in the gas meter 1 of the present invention is executed.
First, the gas meter 1 determines the start of warning determination (step S1). When it is determined that the warning determination is not started (NO), the process in step S1 is repeated. On the other hand, when it is determined that the warning determination is started (in the case of YES), the presence / absence of a warning notification is determined (step S2). Here, if there is a warning notification (if there is a notification), “warning determination start information” is notified to the external device or the center (step S3). If there is no warning notification (when there is no notification), it is determined that the warning is being determined (step S4). The warning determination start information includes not only information on warning determination start but also information on which warning event the gas meter 1 is currently monitoring.

  Next, when it is determined in step S4 that the warning is not being determined (NO), the gas meter 1 repeats the process in step S4. On the other hand, if it is determined that the warning is being determined (YES), the presence / absence of a warning notification is determined (step S5). Here, if there is a warning notification (if there is a notification), “in-warning determination information” is notified to the external device or center (step S6). If there is no warning notification (when there is no notification), it is determined whether or not the warning determination has ended (step S7). The information during warning determination includes not only information during warning determination but also information such as which warning event the gas meter 1 is currently monitoring.

  Next, when it is determined in step S7 that the warning determination is not completed (NO), the gas meter 1 repeats the process in step S7. On the other hand, when it is determined that the warning determination is finished (in the case of YES), it is determined whether or not there is a warning notification (step S8). If there is a warning notification (if there is a notification), “warning determination end information” is notified to the external device or the center (step S9). If there is no warning notification (when there is no notification), it is determined whether or not the warning determination days have elapsed (step S10). This warning determination end information includes not only the warning determination end information but also information such as which warning event the gas meter 1 is currently monitoring.

  Next, in step S10, when the warning determination days have passed (when elapsed), the gas meter 1 displays “warning” on the display unit of the gas meter 1 and notifies the external device or center of the “warning” ( Step S11). On the other hand, if the warning determination days have not elapsed (if not yet elapsed), the process returns to step S2 to repeat the process.

  Conventionally, processing of steps S10 to S11, that is, warning display or notification is performed after the warning determination days have elapsed. On the other hand, the gas meter 1 of the present invention further executes the processes of steps S1 to S9, so that the warning determination start, end, and determination are not performed until the number of days determined to be a warning event has elapsed. Since information about warning events can be notified in advance to an external device (home controller) or center (gas company), it is possible to prevent and diagnose abnormal gas conditions and to take safety measures in advance.

Here, based on FIGS. 4-12, the example of a typical warning event is demonstrated.
(1) Battery voltage drop shut-off The battery voltage drop shut-off function is a function that shuts off gas 40 days after the start of a battery voltage drop warning. Further, when any interruption event occurs during the battery voltage drop warning, the battery voltage drop is cut off. The warning display at this time is shown in FIG.

(2) Flow-type micro-leakage warning The flow-type micro-leakage warning function displays a warning as a suspected microleakage or continuous use of fire if there is a slight gas leak for 30 consecutive days downstream from the gas meter 1 . For example, in FIG. 5A, the gas meter 1 is connected to an LP gas cylinder 5 and a combustion appliance (hereinafter referred to as a gas appliance) 6. The gas appliance 6 is on the downstream side, and a minute gas leak g generated in the section 1 between the gas meter 1 and the inlet of the gas appliance 6 is detected. The warning display at this time is shown in FIG.

(3) Inflammation registration With the inflammation registration function, it is possible to register an outbreak in a consumer's house that continuously uses the inflammation with the gas meter 1 to distinguish it from a flow-type microleakage warning, and to display a warning only in the case of microleakage (gas leak g) It is a function. For example, in FIG. 6A, registration is performed using the telegram setting device 7 or the dedicated magnet 8 in a state where the gas meter 1 is connected to the gas appliance 6. Thus, in the case of a fire, the warning is displayed without displaying a warning, and in the case of a slight leak (gas leak g), a warning is displayed.

(4) Flow rate display The flow rate display function displays the two types of flame marks shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, when the use of gas becomes 3 L / h or more, one flame mark is lit continuously. In addition, when the use of gas reaches 63 L / h or more, two flame marks are continuously lit.

(5) Pressure monitoring function In FIG. 8 (A), the pressure monitoring function has a built-in pressure sensor 12c in the gas meter 1, and constantly monitors the leakage from the outlet of the regulator 9 to the inlet of the gas appliance 6 to improve security. It is a function to plan. The pressure sensor 12c has a built-in function to monitor whether or not the gas is supplied at an appropriate gas pressure. As shown in FIG. 8 (B), the pressure monitoring function includes (a) pressure type micro leak warning, (b) regulator supply pressure abnormality warning (upper limit value abnormality warning, lower limit value abnormality warning), (c) It includes a regulator blockage pressure abnormality warning, (d) supply pressure data storage, (e) pressure drop shut-off, and the like.
In FIG. 8A, the gas meter 1 incorporating the pressure sensor 12 c is connected to the LP gas cylinder 5 and the gas appliance 6. In the case of a flow-type micro leak, a micro gas leak that occurs in the section 1 between the gas meter 1 and the inlet of the gas appliance 6 is detected, whereas in the case of a pressure micro leak, adjustment with the inlet of the gas appliance 6 is performed. A slight gas leak generated in the section m between the outlet of the vessel 9 is detected.

(A) Pressure micro-leakage warning function The pressure-type microleakage warning function monitors the pressure in the supply pipe from the regulator outlet to the gas appliance inlet by the pressure sensor 12c built in the gas meter 1 when no gas is used. And, when there is an abnormality in pressure, it is a function to display a minute leak warning. The pressure is measured every 15 minutes when the gas is not used (flow rate less than 2.8 L / h). If the pressure difference between the initial pressure value immediately after the stop of gas use and the measured pressure value every 15 minutes does not increase by more than 0.2 kPa (predetermined value) for 30 consecutive days, a warning is given as a slight leak. The warning display at this time is shown in FIG.

(B) Supply pressure abnormality warning of regulator The supply pressure abnormality warning function monitors the pressure from the regulator outlet to the gas appliance inlet during gas use by the pressure sensor 12c built in the gas meter 1, This function gives a warning when there is an abnormality. There are two types, an upper limit value warning and a lower limit value warning. The former upper limit value abnormality warning measures the pressure for each flow rate change (with individual maximum flow rate change) while using gas (more than 21 L / h), and at least 15 times within 3.3 days (predetermined value) When there is a pressure exceeding, a warning is given as an abnormality. In addition, the latter lower limit abnormality warning measures the pressure for each flow rate change (with individual maximum flow rate change) while the gas is in use (21 L / h or more), and is 15 times or more 2.3 kPa (predetermined value) within 30 days. ) If there is less pressure, a warning is given as an abnormality. The warning display at this time is shown in FIG.

(C) Abnormal pressure warning for regulator The abnormal pressure warning function for the regulator monitors the pressure of the regulator when the gas sensor 1 is not using the pressure sensor 12c built in the gas meter 1. This is a function to warn when there is. The pressure after 2 minutes after the flow rate is stopped (less than 21 L / h) from the total flow rate of 500 L / h or less is measured. If the pressure 2 minutes after the flow stoppage exceeds 3.5 kPa (predetermined value) 15 times or more within 30 days, a warning is given as an abnormality. The warning display at this time is shown in FIG.

(D) Supply pressure data storage The supply pressure data storage function measures the pressure when the gas flow rate is changed by the pressure sensor 12c built in the gas meter 1, and stores the maximum value and minimum value data in the gas meter 1. It is a function to memorize. It is possible to confirm whether or not the supply equipment is appropriate based on these data. The data can be confirmed using a telegram setter via a communication terminal, and is cleared at the time of test interruption, leakage inspection start, and forced relearning operation.

(E) Pressure drop shut-off The pressure drop shut-off function is a function to shut off when the pressure in the meter is lowered by the pressure sensor 12c built in the gas meter 1. It shuts off when the gas pressure in the meter detects 0.6 kPa ± 0.4 kPa or less. The warning display at this time is shown in FIG.

  The main characteristic part of the gas meter 1 of the present invention is that, during the gas warning determination process, information on the warning event is notified in advance to the center (gas operator) through an external device (home controller) or an external network. . This will be described as an example of the case of the above-described (2) flow rate type micro leak warning.

  The flow-type minute leakage warning is a function that displays a warning as a suspicion of minute leakage or continuous use of fire if there is a minute gas leakage downstream from the gas meter 1 for 30 days. Specifically, a warning is displayed when there is a gas flow rate for one hour on the downstream side (gas appliance side) and the state continues for 30 days.

  For example, when the gas meter 1 determines that there is a gas flow rate during one hour, the warning determination of the flow rate type micro leak warning is started. When the warning determination process is started, warning determination start information is notified from the terminal block 15 to the outside (center). The warning determination start information includes not only information on warning determination start but also information on which warning event the gas meter 1 is currently monitoring. Based on this warning determination start information, the center can also access the gas meter 1 that started the warning determination, and obtain more detailed information such as the current flow rate value and the cutoff setting value.

  Further, when the gas meter 1 reaches a predetermined condition after the start of warning determination, the gas meter 1 notifies the center of warning determination information from the terminal block 15. Here, the predetermined condition may be, for example, a timing unit that is activated at the same time as the start of the warning determination, and may notify the center of the warning determination information after a predetermined period (for example, 10 days). Further, when the state of the currently relevant warning event changes, for example, when the warning event of the flow rate type micro leak warning disappears, the center may be notified.

  Also, if the flow rate value exceeds the upper limit value or falls below the lower limit value, and if the gas meter has pressure detection means such as a pressure sensor, the pressure value exceeds the upper limit value a predetermined number of times or the lower limit value for a predetermined number of times You may make it report to a center when it falls below, or when it corresponds to the case of reporting one day before the end of warning judgment. As a result, the center can compare the previous warning determination start information with the warning determination in-progress information. Moreover, information may be output a plurality of times, such as during judgment, 1, during judgment,...

  Further, when the determination period of 30 days for the flow rate type microleakage warning has passed and it is determined that the flow rate type microleakage warning is given, warning determination end information is notified to the center after the determination is completed.

  The gas meter 1 can cope with warnings other than the flow rate type micro leak warning. When pressure detecting means such as a pressure sensor is provided, it is possible to deal with pressure type micro leak warning, supply pressure abnormality warning, blockage pressure abnormality warning, and the like. Moreover, when battery voltage detection means, such as a battery voltage detection sensor, is provided, it can respond also to a battery voltage drop interruption warning. In addition, when a gas remaining amount management means is provided, various warnings such as a shortage warning can be dealt with.

  Here, when the “warning determination start information” is notified to the center at the timing when the gas meter 1 starts the determination of the abnormality warning, the center reads out and stores the gas meter state such as the pressure value and sets it as warning start data. Furthermore, when “information during warning determination” is notified to the center several times from the gas meter 1, the center determines that the abnormality is related to pressure, and conducts an investigation before an alarm warning occurs after the warning determination days elapse. , Safety can be ensured in advance.

(Processing example 1)
(1) Notify the center of “warning determination start information” at a timing when the gas meter 1 starts determining an abnormality warning.
(2) When the center receives a notification from the gas meter 1, it reads out various data (pressure values and the like) acquired by the gas meter 1 and uses them as warning start data.
(3) The gas meter 1 notifies the center of “information during warning determination” during the warning determination.
(4) When the center receives a notification (any number of times) from the gas meter 1, even if the number of days determined to be an abnormal event has not elapsed, the center determines that there is a high possibility of an abnormal event and investigates the warning event .

  For example, when “in-warning determination information” is notified from the gas meter 1 to the center, and then “warning determination end information” is notified from the gas meter 1 to the center, the warning determination days have passed and an abnormal warning has occurred. Although there are no warnings for some reason, abnormality diagnosis and preventive measures can be performed.

(Processing example 2)
(1) Notify the center of “warning determination start information” at a timing when the gas meter 1 starts determining an abnormality warning.
(2) When the center receives a notification from the gas meter 1, it reads out various data (pressure values, etc.) of the gas meter 1 and uses them as warning start data.
(3) The gas meter 1 notifies the center of “information during warning determination” during the warning determination.
(4) Even if the center receives a notification (less than an arbitrary number) from the gas meter 1, it does nothing.
(5) The gas meter 1 notifies the center of “warning determination end information” when the warning determination ends.
(6) When the center receives a notification from the gas meter 1, it receives a notification of “warning determination information” (less than the arbitrary number of times), and therefore investigates the warning event.

  For example, when a slight gas leak occurs between the gas meter 1 and the gas appliance, the gas meter 1 detects a flow rate and starts a timer at the same time. After the timer is started, the current warning state is output to the center after a predetermined period. In this case, there is a possibility that it corresponds to a flow rate type minute leak warning, and information such as the current flow rate type minute leak warning being determined is distributed to the center side. Further, when a very small flow rate is detected continuously for a predetermined period and the gas meter 1 finally determines that the flow type micro leak warning is detected, information on the end of the flow type micro leak warning determination is delivered to the center side.

  As described above, according to the present invention, during warning determination processing of a fluid to be measured such as gas, information related to the warning event is preliminarily sent to the center (gas operator) through an external device (home controller) or an external network. Therefore, it is possible to prevent and diagnose abnormal gas conditions, and to ensure safety in advance.

  In addition, since information related to the warning event of the gas meter is notified in advance to an external device or the center, it is possible to deal with various warning events, so that it is possible to prevent gas shortage and ensure safety.

  In addition, information about warning events can be notified in advance to external devices and centers during warning determination start, end, and determination without waiting for the number of days determined to be a warning event to elapse. It can prevent and diagnose the condition and take safety measures in advance.

  In addition, by notifying indoor equipment such as a home controller, it is possible to notify in advance of an abnormality in the combustion equipment at the consumer's home, so it is possible to promote awareness of prevention against abnormal situations.

  Further, even when the notification to the center is not normally performed, by notifying the consumer's home, it is possible to notify the center from the consumer, and the warning notification can be transmitted more accurately.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the flowmeter which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the network of the gas meter which concerns on this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating an example of the process at the time of performing the warning determination alerting | reporting function with which the gas meter of this invention is provided. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the other example of the warning event detected with the gas meter of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Flow meter (gas meter), 2 ... External device, 3 ... Telephone exchange network, 4 ... Center (gas company), 5 ... LP gas cylinder, 6 ... Gas appliance, 7 ... Telegram setting device, 8 ... Dedicated magnet, 9 ... Adjuster, 10 ... Control part, 10a ... Microcomputer, 10b ... Interface, 10c ... Battery, 10d ... Test cutoff switch, 10e ... Container reset switch, 11 ... Weighing part, 11a ... Weighing function, 12 ... Sensor part, 12a ... Battery voltage detection sensor, 12b ... flow rate sensor, 12c ... pressure sensor, 12d ... shock sensor, 13 ... display unit, 13a ... integral display function, 13b ... security display function, 14 ... blocking unit, 14a ... cutoff valve, 14b ... Shut-off valve opening switch, 15 ... terminal block, 21 ... home controller, 22 ... NCU, 23 ... gas leak alarm, 24 ... external 1 device, 25 ... external 2 device.

Claims (6)

A flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a fluid to be measured,
Warning determination means for determining a warning event based on various data acquired by the flow meter, and warning event information output means for outputting information on the warning event determined by the warning determination means to the outside before the warning determination days have elapsed. A flow meter characterized by comprising: Flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the fluid to be measured, pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure of the fluid to be measured, and battery voltage detecting means for detecting the voltage of a battery as a power source,
The warning determination unit determines a warning event based on data of any one of a flow rate value by the flow rate measurement unit, a pressure value by the pressure detection unit, and a battery voltage value by the battery voltage detection unit. Item 2. The flow meter according to Item 1.   3. The flowmeter according to claim 1, wherein the warning event information output unit outputs information about the warning event to the outside when the warning determination unit starts or ends the warning determination process.   The warning event information output means outputs information related to a warning event to the outside when a predetermined condition is satisfied after the warning determination is started by the warning determination means and before the warning determination ends. The flow meter according to any one of 1 to 3.   The warning event information output means, when a request signal for information related to a warning event is input from the outside, outputs information related to the warning event determined by the warning determination means to the outside in response to the request signal. The flow meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The warning event includes at least one of a supply pressure upper limit value warning, a supply pressure lower limit value warning, a clogging pressure error warning, a pressure type slight leak warning, a flow rate type minor leak warning, and a battery voltage drop cutoff warning. The flow meter according to claim 1, wherein the flow meter includes one of the two.

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