JP2009025271A - Flow measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique capable of determining an instrument that uses fluid, from the view point of the variation width in the flow rate value, and capable of clocking operation continued time of the specified instrument. <P>SOLUTION: An ultrasonic flowmeter 7 measures the flow rate value of gas flowing through a flow passage 6 of a gas meter 16, a measured flow rate information storage part 8 stores a measured flow rate value. A measured flow rate value variation width calculating part 9 calculates the measured flow rate value variation width, corresponding to a changed value of the measured flow rate value, in a prescribed period. An instrument determining part 11 groups the instruments using the fluid, by determining whether the measured flow rate value variation width is a prescribed threshold or smaller, and clocks the operation-continued time of the specified instrument. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for discriminating an instrument that uses a fluid by utilizing a change in the flow rate of the fluid.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 8, this type of flow rate measuring device includes a gas flow rate measuring unit 1 that measures the flow rate of gas flowing in a gas flow path, and a flow rate increase detecting unit 2 that detects an increase in flow rate based on the measurement result. The flow rate increase / decrease detection means 3 for detecting an instantaneous increase / decrease change of the gas flow rate accompanying the increase of the flow rate, the instrument determination means 4 for determining the start of use of a new gas combustion instrument when the instantaneous increase / decrease change is detected, and the flow rate increase detection means The flow rate registration means 5 for registering the increase in the gas flow rate detected in step 1 as the increase in the gas flow rate associated with the start of use of the new gas combustion appliance (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  With the above configuration, pay attention to the fact that the gas flow rate increases and decreases instantly when a new gas combustion appliance is used, and a stable gas flow rate is obtained. By determining, it is possible to determine the start of use of a new gas combustion appliance by a simple method and register an increase in gas due to the use of the new gas combustion appliance.

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that it is not known whether the increase in flow rate is due to the use of the same instrument or a new gas combustion instrument.

  In order to solve this point, the flow measuring device shown in FIG. 9 includes an ultrasonic flow meter 7 as a flow measuring unit that measures the flow rate flowing through the flow path 6, and the flow rate value and time information of the ultrasonic flow meter 7. A measured flow rate information storage unit 8 for storing, a learning instrument registration means 21 for registering measured flow rate information measured during a certain period of time as instrument flow rate information, and an instrument flow rate information storage unit 22 for registering and storing the measured flow rate information; And an appliance discriminating unit 11 that discriminates an appliance by comparing the measured flow rate information in the measured flow rate information storage unit 8 with the appliance flow rate information in the appliance flow rate information storage unit 22. Here, 12 is a unit number discriminating means, 13 to 15 are gas appliances, 16 is a gas meter as a flow rate measuring device, 17 is a flow shut-off valve, 18 is an operation unit, 19 is a gas pipe, and 20 is a flow rate calculating means for each appliance. (See Patent Document 2).

According to the flow measurement apparatus, to register stores measurement flow rate information measured, it is possible to determine the usage of multiple instruments, whether a previously what type of instrument (such as a water heater or gas cooker) Once registered, the equipment used can also be identified. At that time, changes in the rising flow rate and absolute flow rate values were used as judgment criteria.
JP 2002-174542 A JP 2007-024750 A

  However, in the above configuration, the appliance is discriminated using the rising waveform of the flow rate when the gas appliance starts using the fluid gas or the flow rate value itself. Therefore, when a rising waveform having the same shape or a waveform having the same flow rate value is obtained, there is a problem that it is difficult to identify the appliance.

In addition, when the operation time of a specific instrument is counted and the operation is continued for a certain time or more, the request for stopping the fluid supply for ensuring safety is not sufficiently satisfied. here,
As the specific appliance, for example, a gas table used at home is raised. In order to eliminate the unsafe condition due to forgetting to turn off the gas table, the thermal power adjustment is not performed if it is a gas table, and if the operation duration time at a constant flow rate exceeds approximately 1 hour, there is no artificial thermal power adjustment. Therefore, there is a demand for judging that it is forgotten to turn off the gas and shutting off the gas supply by operating a flow path shut-off valve provided in a gas meter which is a flow rate measuring device.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to group the appliances using the fluid by utilizing the change in the flow rate of the fluid, and to operate the specific appliance. It is to provide a technique for facilitating the time measurement and providing a warning for ensuring safety when the operation time of a specific device continues for a certain time or stopping the gas supply.

  The flow rate measuring device of the present invention includes a flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of the fluid flowing through the flow path, a flow rate information storage unit that stores the measured flow rate value measured by the flow rate measuring unit, and the measured flow rate value has changed. Measuring flow rate value change width corresponding to the amount within a predetermined period, and determining whether or not the measured flow value change width is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, An appliance discriminating unit that performs grouping of appliances to be used and measures the operation duration time of the specific appliance is provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to discriminate | determine the instrument which uses a fluid from a viewpoint of the variation | change_quantity of measured flow volume value, and to group an instrument, and a novel method, such as an instrument discrimination | determination, is provided. Further, by combining the present invention with an existing method, a more accurate instrument discrimination method and the like are provided.

  Furthermore, in the flow rate measuring device according to the present invention, the instrument is divided into group 1 in which the measured flow rate value change width is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and group 2 that is larger than the threshold in the grouping of instruments. When a group 2 device is detected first in a partial combined operation with a device entering, the operation duration time of the group 1 device is measured from the time when the group 2 device is no longer detected. To.

  According to the said structure, the time measurement error of the operation continuation time of the instrument of the group 1 below the said threshold value is reduced. There is a desire to stop the fluid supply for ensuring safety when the operation time of a specific instrument is counted and the operation is continued for a certain time or more. As the specific appliance, for example, a gas table used at home is raised. Since the gas table is one of the instruments classified into group 1, it is important to reduce the time measurement error of the operation duration time of the instruments of group 1.

  Furthermore, in the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, in the grouping of tools, the measured flow rate value change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 larger than the threshold value. When a group 2 device is detected during detection of a group 1 device in a partial combined operation with a device entering 2 and the group 2 device is no longer detected, the first group 1 device is detected. Compared with the flow rate G at the time when the detection of the group 2 instrument is stopped, and when the flow rate F is almost equal to the flow rate G, the operation duration time of the group 1 instrument is first measured. Start from the time of detection of the group 1 device. If the flow rate F and G are not equal, the operation duration time of the device of the group 1 is measured from the time when the detection of the device of the group 2 is lost. That.

  Also with the above configuration, there is provided a device determination method in which a time measurement error of the operation continuation time of the device of group 1 that is equal to or less than the threshold value is reduced.

Furthermore, in the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, in the grouping of tools, the measured flow rate value change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 larger than the threshold value. The detection of the group 2 device is performed during the detection of the group 1 device in the partial combined operation with the device entering the group 2, and the detection of the group 1 device is also stopped when the group 2 device is not detected. If it is determined that the operation of the group 1 device is stopped during the operation of the group 2 device, the time measurement of the operation duration of the group 1 device is reset.

  According to the above configuration, even when the stop time of the group 1 appliances is not clearly known, it is possible to clearly define the time point at which the time measurement of the operation duration time of the group 1 appliances is reset.

  Furthermore, in the flow rate measuring device of the present invention, in the grouping of tools, the measured flow rate value change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 larger than the threshold value. When the detection of the group 2 device is performed during the detection of the group 1 device in the partial combined operation with the device entering 2 and the operation of eliminating the detection of the group 2 device is repeated, Compare the flow rate H at the time of detection of the device of group 1 with the flow rate I at the time when the detection of the device of group 2 ceases, and if the flow rate H and I are almost equal, When the first group 1 instrument is detected and the flow rates H and I are not equal, the operation duration time of the group 1 instrument is counted when the group 2 instrument is no longer detected. To perform from. The process when such operation is repeated is the same.

  Also with the above configuration, there is provided a device determination method in which a time measurement error of the operation continuation time of the device of group 1 that is equal to or less than the threshold value is reduced.

  Furthermore, the flow measuring device of the present invention is divided into the group 1 in which the measured flow rate value change width is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold and the group 2 in which the measured flow rate value change width is larger than the threshold in the grouping of the instruments. When there is a change in flow rate, the operation continuation time of the appliance is measured from the time when the flow rate change occurs.

  According to the above configuration, for example, the flow rate change of the gas table classified into the group 1 often occurs by an artificial operation, so that it can be understood that the change is not forgotten when there is a flow rate change. If the operation time of a specific instrument (for example, a gas table) is timed and the operation continues for more than the time considered to be unsafe for that instrument, in response to a request to stop the fluid supply to ensure safety, You will be able to make accurate decisions.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the grouping of devices, the measured flow rate value change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 having a larger value than the threshold value. In the case of combined operation of the appliances γ..., The appliance α for which the operation continuation time is to be measured is activated first, and the other appliances β, the appliances γ, etc. are activated during the stable operation of the appliance α. Alternatively, when the activated instrument β, the instrument γ, etc. perform control and a flow rate change of the fluid occurs, the flow rate change amount ΔQ is obtained, and the flow rates Qα and ΔQ during the stable operation of the instrument α are compared, and ΔQ Is approximately equal to Qα, it is determined that the instrument α is stopped, and the operation time of the instrument α is reset, and when the changed flow rate Q is equal to Qα, it is determined that the instrument α is to be continued. Continue to measure the operation continuation time.

  According to the above configuration, for example, even in the case of combined operation of a device classified as group 1, the operation time of a specific device is timed, and if the operation continues for a time considered to be unsafe for that device, safety is ensured. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a more accurate determination for the desire to stop the fluid supply.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while providing the novel method of an instrument discrimination | determination and the driving continuation time measurement of a specific instrument, the more accurate appliance discrimination | determination method and an operation continuation time counting method are provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gas meter 16 as a flow rate measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, the gas meter 16 includes a flow path 6, an ultrasonic flowmeter 7, a measured flow rate information storage unit 8, a measured flow rate value change width calculation unit 9, and an instrument determination unit 11. Further, the gas meter 16 is disposed in the flow path 6 and includes a flow path shut-off valve 17 that shuts off gas in an emergency or the like, and a device-specific flow rate calculation unit 20.

  The ultrasonic flowmeter 7 measures the flow rate by emitting ultrasonic waves to a gas as a fluid flowing in the flow path 6, and a general one can be used. The measured flow rate information storage unit 8 stores the measured flow value measured by the ultrasonic flow meter 7 and target data described in association with the measured time when the measured flow rate value was measured.

  The measured flow value change width calculation unit 9 calculates a change width (measured flow value change width) corresponding to a change in the measured flow value of the target data stored in the measured flow information storage unit 8, as will be described later. As will be described later, the range of change is as follows: 1) the measured flow rate value change width corresponding to the amount of change in the measured flow value for each measurement by the ultrasonic flowmeter 7, and 2) over the entire period of the predetermined period. There are all-period measured flow value change widths corresponding to the amount of change in the measured flow value (absolute value change amount).

  As will be described later, the appliance discriminating unit 11 discriminates a gas appliance that uses a fluid based on whether the above-described change width is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. The flow rate calculation unit 20 for each appliance calculates the flow rate for each gas appliance determined by the device determination unit 11. Further, the gas meter 16 is connected to a gas pipe line 19 on the upstream side, and connected to various gas appliances 13, 14, 15 such as a gas table, a fan heater, and floor heating on the downstream side.

  Hereinafter, the operation and action of the flow rate measuring apparatus configured as described above will be described with a focus on the operation and action of the measured flow rate value change width calculation unit 9 and the instrument determination unit 11 in particular.

  FIG. 2 is a graph conceptually showing a change in the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas meter 16 measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter 7 due to the use of the gas appliance, and the flow rate is the format of the target data associated with the measurement time. (That is, in the form of this graph), it is stored in the measured flow rate information storage unit 8. For example, when the flow rate measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter 7 changes from a zero flow rate to a predetermined flow rate, it is determined that one unit has been operated. Then, the measured flow rate information storage unit 8 starts storing the time change of the measured flow rate at this time as the measured flow rate value. That is, the measured flow rate information storage unit 8 associates the flow rate value measured at a predetermined measurement time interval (for example, 2 seconds) with the measurement time starting from the time when there is a change, and stores it as target data.

The flow rate waveform shown in FIG. 2 is generally different for each gas appliance. Therefore, a method for discriminating gas appliances based on such waveforms is known. There are various discrimination methods. For example, the rising waveform of the flow rate indicated by A and the stable operation of the gas appliance indicated by B (when the flow rate value after the rising operation is substantially constant) A method of discriminating a gas appliance using the flow rate value during operation) is known. However, depending on the gas appliance, a rising waveform having substantially the same shape or a waveform having substantially the same flow rate value may be obtained. In such a case, it is difficult to identify the gas appliance.

  The present invention focuses on differences from the waveform shape and flow rate value. That is, in the gas meter of the present invention, the gas appliance being used is determined based on the flow rate change width (measured flow rate value change width), which is the amount of change in the gas flow rate value. Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, an example will be introduced in which the gas appliance is determined by observing the portion C of FIG. 2, that is, the change width (change in flow rate value) during the stable operation of the gas appliance.

  3 and 4 show an example in which a gas appliance is discriminated using the measured flow rate value change width for each measurement corresponding to the amount of change in the measured flow value for each measurement by the ultrasonic flowmeter 7. FIG. 3 shows an example in which such a measured flow rate value change width for each measurement is small (smaller than a predetermined threshold), and FIG. 4 shows a large measured flow value change width for each measurement (larger than a predetermined threshold value). An example is shown.

  FIG. 3A shows a graph of the measurement time for each measurement by the ultrasonic flowmeter 7 and the measured flow rate value obtained. Data of such a combination of measurement time and measurement flow rate value (target data) is stored in the measurement flow rate information storage unit 8 which is a predetermined memory.

  The measured flow value change width calculation unit 9 calculates a measured flow value change width corresponding to the amount of change in the measured flow value within a predetermined period. In particular, in this example, the measured flow value change width calculation unit 9 calculates, as the measured flow value change width, the amount of change in the measured flow value for each measurement by the ultrasonic flowmeter 7 (measured flow value change width for each measurement), C It is calculated within a predetermined period indicated by. In FIG. 3A, the measured flow rate value change width for each measurement is Δq1, Δq2,..., Δqi.

  And the instrument discrimination | determination part 11 discriminate | determines the gas appliance which uses gas by determining whether measured flow rate value variation | change_quantity is below predetermined threshold (DELTA) qm. In this example, the appliance discriminating unit 11 continuously measures the measured flow rate value change width calculation unit 9 with the above-described measured flow rate value change widths (Δq1, Δq2,..., Δqi) being not more than a predetermined threshold value Δqm. Based on the number of times calculated by the above, a gas appliance that uses gas is determined. The threshold value Δqm is given as a change width unique to each gas appliance, and is stored in a memory (threshold value storage unit) (not shown).

  FIG. 3B is a graph showing, as an integrated frequency, the continuous number of times that the measured flow rate value change width for each measurement that is smaller than a predetermined threshold value Δqm is obtained by the appliance determination unit 11. FIG. 3B shows that the measured flow rate value variation width for each measurement was equal to or less than the threshold value Δqm for the predetermined period C (| Δqi | <Δqm). And the appliance discrimination | determination part 11 discriminate | determines the gas appliance currently used as a specific gas appliance (for example, fan heater), when the measurement flow rate value change width for every measurement below the threshold value which continued 5 times is obtained in this way. .

  4 is the same diagram as FIG. 3, but as shown in FIG. 4A, the measured flow rate value change widths Δq1 ′, Δq2 ′,. ..., Δqi ′ is larger than Δq1, Δq2,..., Δqi in FIG. Since the measured flow rate value change widths Δq1 ′, Δq2 ′,..., Δqi ′ for each measurement are all larger than the threshold value Δqm (| Δqi ′ | ≧ Δqm), as shown in FIG. Remains. And the appliance discrimination | determination part 11 discriminate | determines the gas appliance currently used as a specific gas appliance (for example, water heater), when the measurement flow rate value change width for every measurement more than the threshold value which continued 5 times is obtained in this way. .

In the example of FIGS. 3 and 4, the appliance discriminating unit 11 discriminates the gas appliance to be used based on the continuous number of times that the measured flow rate value change width for each measurement below the threshold is obtained. In the above description, the number of continuous times is 5. However, the number of continuous times is arbitrary. Note that the actual operation time of the appliance, that is, the predetermined time is long, and the cases of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 may coexist.

  Further, not only the continuous number of times but also other indexes can be applied. For example, the appliance discriminating unit 11 may discriminate the gas appliance based on the frequency at which the measured flow rate value change width for each measurement that is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold appears. For example, an index such as a fan heater may be used if 6 out of 10 change widths are below the threshold, and a hot water heater if only 2 are below the threshold.

  FIG. 5 is different from the examples of FIGS. 3 and 4 in that the measured flow rate value for the entire period corresponding to the changed amount (absolute value change amount) of the measured flow rate value during the stable operation of the gas appliance in the entire period. This is an example of using a change width. That is, in this example, after the measured flow rate values in the entire predetermined period B are stored in the measured flow rate information storage unit 8, the measured flow rate value change width Δq that is the change width of all the measured flow value values is the measured flow rate. It is calculated by the value change width calculation unit 9.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (a), when the entire-period measured flow rate value change width Δq is smaller than a predetermined threshold value Δqm, for example, the appliance discriminating unit 11 sets the gas appliance being used as a specific gas appliance (eg, fan heater). Determine. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the all-period measured flow rate value change width Δq is larger than a predetermined threshold value Δqm, for example, the appliance discriminating unit 11 selects a specific gas appliance (for example, a water heater) ). Note that the actual operation time of the appliance, that is, the predetermined time is long, and the cases shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be mixed.

  In the example of FIGS. 3 to 5, the predetermined period for acquiring the measured flow rate value that is the basis for obtaining the change width is C, which is the time during the stable operation of the gas appliance. However, the predetermined period may be another part of the period from the start of operation of the gas appliance to the stop of operation. Furthermore, the predetermined period may be a period from the start of operation of the gas appliance to the stop of operation.

  FIG. 6 shows a group 1 of instruments having a characteristic in which the measured flow rate value change width for each measurement is small (less than a predetermined threshold), and a group of instruments having a characteristic in which the measured flow value change width for each measurement is large (greater than a predetermined threshold). It is the graph which showed notionally the flow pattern of the compound operation which added together the flow pattern of 2. Here, group 1 of appliances is classified into gas table, fan heater, stove, hot water supply to the floor heater of the water heater, temperature control in intermittent operation of ON / OFF, and operation of appliances such as oven and clothes dryer. Is done. In addition, group 2 of appliances includes a hot water shower, a hot water supply operation to the kitchen, the first hot water supply to the floor heater, the first hot water supply to the bathroom heater / dryer, and the hot water to the bathtub. When operating equipment such as beam.

  If the operation time of a specific instrument is timed and the operation continues for more than the time considered to be unsafe for that instrument, the request to stop the fluid supply to ensure safety, especially for forgetting to turn off the gas table desired. Since the gas table is classified into the instrument group 1, the time keeping of the operation duration is emphasized with respect to the instruments of the group 1.

  Pattern 1 in FIG. 6 shows a case in which the devices in group 2 are detected first in a partial combined operation of the devices in group 1 and the devices in group 2. In this case, the operation duration time of the group 1 appliances is measured from the point E when the group 2 appliances are no longer detected. Since Group 2 instruments are instruments with large fluctuations in flow rate, even if the operation of the Group 1 instrument is started during the operation, it is difficult to accurately detect it, and misjudgment often occurs. Become.

According to the above configuration, since the operation continuation time of the group 1 instrument is measured from the time point E when the group 2 instrument is no longer detected, it is possible to appropriately avoid such erroneous determination.

  Pattern 2 in FIG. 6 shows a case where the detection of the group 2 device is performed during the detection of the group 1 device in the partial combined operation with the device that enters the group 2, and the detection of the group 2 device is lost. ing. In this case, the flow rate F at the time of detection of the first group 1 device is compared with the flow rate G at the time when the detection of the device of group 2 ceases to be detected. The operation duration time is measured from the time when the first group 1 device is detected. If the flow rates F and G are not equal, the operation duration time of the group 1 device is measured when the group 2 device is no longer detected. To do from.

  According to the above configuration, when the flow rates F and G are substantially equal, it is determined that there is no artificial control of the group 1 device during the operation of the group 2 device, and the operation duration time of the group 1 device is Timekeeping can be appropriately performed from the time of detection of the first group 1 instrument. If the flow rates F and G are not equal, it is determined that there has been an artificial control of the group 1 instrument during the operation of the group 2 instrument. It will be possible to perform appropriately from the point of time when the detection of the instrument is no longer.

  Pattern 3 in FIG. 6 shows the case where the detection of the group 2 device is detected during the detection of the group 1 device, and the detection of the group 1 device is also stopped when the detection of the group 2 device is stopped. . In this case, it is assumed that the operation of the group 1 device is stopped during the operation of the group 2 device, and the time measurement of the operation duration time of the group 1 device is reset.

  Pattern 4 in FIG. 6 shows a case where the detection of the group 2 device is performed during the detection of the group 1 device, and the operation of eliminating the detection of the group 2 device is repeated. In this case, the flow rate H at the time of detection of the first group 1 device is compared with the flow rate I at the time when the detection of the device of group 2 ceases to be detected. The operation duration time is measured from the time when the first group 1 instrument is detected. If the flow rates H and I are not equal, the group 1 instrument duration is not detected. Start from the moment. When the flow rates H and I are almost equal, the operation of the group 2 appliance is detected again, and if the detection of the group 2 appliance is eliminated and the flow rate J is obtained, the flow rates H and J are compared. If the flow rates H and J are equal, the operation continuation time of the group 1 appliance is measured from the time of the first detection of the group 1 appliance. If the flow rates H and J are not equal, the operation duration time of the group 1 appliances is measured from the time when the flow rate J is obtained. The process when such operation is repeated is the same.

  Also with the above configuration, the operation duration time of the group 1 appliances can be appropriately measured from the point in time when the group 2 appliances are no longer detected.

  Pattern 5 in FIG. 6 shows a case in which there is a change in flow rate that exceeds a predetermined amount during detection in the single operation of the appliances that belong to group 1. In this case, the operation duration time of the appliance is measured from the time when the flow rate changes. A certain diversion change is a value larger than a threshold used when dividing into a group 1 and a group 2 based on a measured flow rate value change width.

  According to the above configuration, for example, the flow rate change of the gas table classified into the group 1 often occurs by an artificial operation, so that it can be understood that the change is not forgotten when there is a flow rate change. Therefore, it is appropriate to reset the operation continuation time once when there is a change in the flow rate so that the time measurement starts again.

Pattern 6 in FIG. 7 shows that, in the case of combined operation of the appliances that belong to group 1 (for example, appliance α, appliance β, appliance γ...), The appliance α that particularly wants to measure the operation duration time is activated first. During the stable operation of α, another device β, device γ... is activated, or the activated device β, device γ... . In this case, the flow rate changes ΔQ1, ΔQ2,... Are obtained, and the flow rate Qα during stable operation of the appliance α is compared with ΔQ1, ΔQ2,..., And any of ΔQ1, ΔQ2,. If equal, it is determined that the instrument α is stopped, and the operation continuation time of the instrument α is reset, and if any of the changed flow rates Q1, Q2,... Is equal to Qα, it is determined that the instrument α is continued. Thus, the operation duration time of the appliance α is continuously counted. Since Qα = Q2 in the figure, it is considered that the operation of the appliance α is continued at this point. The process when such operation is repeated is the same.

  According to the above configuration, for example, even in the case of combined operation of a device classified as group 1, the operation time of a specific device is timed, and if the operation continues for a time considered to be unsafe for that device, safety is ensured. Therefore, it becomes possible to make a more accurate determination for the desire to stop the fluid supply.

  In order to carry out the flow rate measuring method as described above, the instrument discriminating unit 11 of the gas meter 16 and a computer (arithmetic unit) (not shown) store programs for executing the steps of the flow rate measuring method. In addition, a fluid supply system including a fluid (gas) supply source using a flow measurement device, a flow measurement method, and a program executed by a computer of the present invention is also included in the present invention.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the matters shown in the above-described embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make modifications and applications based on the description and well-known techniques. This is also the scope of the present invention, and is included in the scope for which protection is sought.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to discriminate an instrument that uses a fluid from the viewpoint of a change width of a flow rate value, and provides a new method such as instrument discrimination and more accurate instrument discrimination. Provide basic technology such as methods.

Block diagram of a flow rate measuring device in an embodiment of the present invention A graph conceptually showing changes in the flow rate of gas appliances It is a conceptual diagram for determining whether or not the change width of the measured flow rate value obtained for each measurement is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold during the stable operation of the gas appliance, and is a diagram when the change width of the flow rate value is small FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for determining whether or not the change width of the measured flow rate value obtained for each measurement is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold during the stable operation of the gas appliance, and is a diagram when the change width of the flow rate value is large. The conceptual diagram which discriminate | determines whether the change width in the whole period of the predetermined period of the measured flow value during the stable operation | movement of a gas appliance is below a predetermined threshold value. The graph which shows notionally the change of the flow rate of the gas appliance classified into the group 1 and the group 2, and the change of the flow rate in the combined operation combining them The graph which shows notionally the change of the flow rate of the gas appliance classified into the group 1, and the change of the flow rate at the time of combined operation combining them Block diagram of a conventional flow measurement device Block diagram of another conventional flow measuring device

Explanation of symbols

7 Ultrasonic flow meter (flow rate measurement unit)
8 Measurement Flow Rate Information Storage Unit 9 Measurement Flow Value Change Width Calculation Unit 11 Instrument Discrimination Unit 13, 14, 15 Gas Appliance 16 Gas Meter (Flow Measurement Device)

Claims (7)

A flow rate measurement unit for measuring the flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow path;
A flow rate information storage unit that stores a measured flow rate value measured by the flow rate measurement unit;
A measured flow value change width calculation unit for calculating a measured flow value change width corresponding to the amount of change in the measured flow value within a predetermined period;
By determining whether or not the measured flow rate value change width is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, an instrument discriminating unit for grouping instruments that use fluids, and
A flow rate measuring device comprising: The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
In the grouping of devices, the measured flow rate change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 having a larger value than the threshold value. When a group 2 device is detected earlier in the combined operation,
A flow rate measuring device that measures the operation continuation time of the group 1 instrument from the point in time when the group 2 instrument is no longer detected. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
In the grouping of devices, the measured flow rate change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 having a larger value than the threshold value. When the detection of the group 2 device is made during the detection of the group 1 device in the combined operation and the group 2 device is not detected,
Compare the flow rate F at the time of detection of the first group 1 instrument with the flow rate G when the group 2 instrument is no longer detected, and if the flow rates F and G are substantially equal, the operation duration time of the group 1 instrument Is measured from the time when the first group 1 instrument is detected, and if the flow rate F is not equal to G, the operation duration time of the group 1 instrument is measured from the time when the group 2 instrument is no longer detected. A flow measurement device. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
In the grouping of devices, the measured flow rate change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 having a larger value than the threshold value. When the detection of the group 2 device is made during the detection of the group 1 device in the combined operation, and the detection of the group 1 device is stopped when the group 2 device is not detected,
A flow rate measuring device that resets the time count of the operation duration of the group 1 instruments. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
In the grouping of devices, the measured flow rate change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 having a larger value than the threshold value. In the combined operation, when the detection of the group 2 device is performed during the detection of the group 1 device and the operation of eliminating the detection of the group 2 device is repeated,
Compare the flow rate H at the time of detection of the first group 1 device with the flow rate I when the detection of the group 2 device is no longer detected, and if the flow rate H and I are substantially equal, the operation duration time of the group 1 device. Is measured from the time when the first group 1 instrument is detected, and when the flow rate H and I are not equal, the operation duration time of the group 1 instrument is measured from the time when the group 2 instrument is no longer detected. A flow measuring device that repeats the process. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
In the grouping of appliances, the measured flow rate change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 larger than the threshold, and when there is a change in flow rate during detection of an appliance entering the group 1,
A flow rate measuring device that measures the duration of operation of the appliance from the time when the flow rate changes. The flow rate measuring device according to claim 1,
In the grouping of devices, the measured flow rate value change width is divided into a group 1 having a predetermined threshold value or less and a group 2 having a larger value than the threshold value, and the devices belonging to group 1 (for example, device α, device β, device γ,...・) In the case of combined operation,
In particular, the device α whose operation duration is to be measured is activated first, and the other device β, device γ, etc. are activated or the activated device β, device γ, etc. are controlled during the stable operation of the device α. If the flow rate change of the fluid occurs, the flow rate change amount ΔQ is obtained to compare the flow rates Qα and ΔQ during stable operation of the appliance α, and when ΔQ is substantially equal to Qα, it is determined that the appliance α is stopped. The measurement of the operation duration time of the appliance α is reset, and when the flow rate Q after the change is equal to Qα, it is determined that the appliance α is continued and the measurement of the flow rate of the operation duration of the appliance α is continued. apparatus.

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