JP2010271227A - Gas meter and abnormality determination method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas meter and an abnormality determination method therefor determining an abnormality of an instrumental error by a gas meter simple body. <P>SOLUTION: This gas meter 40 is used for determining an abnormality of an instrumental error. The gas meter 40 includes: a used apparatus determination part 44c for determining a used gas apparatus 10; a flow rate comparison part 44d for comparing a flow rate of fuel gas measured actually in a fixed-flow rate gas apparatus 10 with a fixed-flow rate, when the gas apparatus 10 determined by the used apparatus determination part 44c is the fixed-flow rate gas apparatus 10; and an abnormality determination part 44e for determining that an instrumental error abnormality is generated in the gas meter 40, when the flow rate value of the fuel gas measured actually by the fixed-flow rate gas apparatus 10 is different from a fixed flow rate value as much as a prescribed value or more as a comparison result by the flow rate value comparison part 44d. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas meter and an abnormality determination method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a gas appliance determination device that determines a gas appliance in use from the transition of gas flow for a long time to some extent. According to this gas appliance determination apparatus, since the gas appliance in use can be determined, it is possible to improve the safety process and the like (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2003-148728 A JP 2008-107262 A JP 2008-107301 A

  Moreover, in a gas meter, an instrumental difference may change with various factors. Here, the instrumental difference refers to the difference between the flow rate value indicated by the gas meter and the true flow rate value, or the percentage of the difference, and is represented by the following equation.

E = I-Q
Or
E = ((I−Q) / Q) × 100
E is an instrumental difference, I is a flow rate value indicated by the gas meter, and Q is a true flow rate value.

  Examples of factors that cause the instrumental difference to change after the gas meter is installed include the following. The first is a mixed gas state, the second is a temperature change, the third is dust and drain accumulation, and the fourth is water intrusion.

  The first mixed gas state will be described. The mixed gas state is a state in which air and fuel gas are mixed. In the gas meter, the flow rate value measured in the mixed gas state may change.

  The second temperature change will be described. When a temperature change occurs around the gas meter, the flow rate value measured by the expansion or compression of the fuel gas may change.

  The third accumulation of dust and drain will be described. If the gas meter is used for a long time, dust or drain (impurities in the fuel gas) may adhere to the sensor surface and the measured flow rate value may change.

  The fourth water intrusion will be described. In a gas meter, water may enter the gas meter via a gas pipe, or water droplets may adhere to the sensor surface due to condensation. In such a case, the flow rate value measured by the gas meter changes.

  As described above, in the gas meter, the flow rate value measured for various reasons may change, and the instrumental difference may fluctuate. If the instrumental difference changes greatly, there is a possibility that the flow rate value to be measured becomes unacceptable.

  Here, the first mixed gas state is a mixed gas state in which air and fuel gas are temporarily mixed when the air in the gas meter is purged when the gas meter is replaced. At this time, the instrumental error of the gas meter may become an abnormal value. However, if the mixed gas is discharged outside through the gas appliance due to the use of the gas appliance, the gas meter returns to a normal instrumental error.

  Also, regarding the second temperature change, if the ambient temperature of the gas meter changes and deviates from the operating temperature range, the instrumental difference is assumed to be an abnormal value. However, it is unlikely that such an unexpected temperature will last for a long time, and if it returns to an appropriate operating temperature again, it returns to a normal instrumental error.

  However, with respect to the accumulation of the third dust and drain and the infiltration of the fourth water, it cannot be expected that the instrumental error naturally returns to the normal value. Thus, it is desirable to be able to diagnose an instrumental error in the gas meter, but it is impossible to determine whether the instrumental error is normal with the current gas meter alone.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter capable of determining an abnormality in instrumental error with a gas meter alone and a method for determining the abnormality. There is.

  The gas meter of the present invention is a gas meter for determining an abnormality in instrumental difference, wherein the gas appliance determining means for determining the gas appliance being used and the gas appliance determined by the gas appliance determining means have a constant flow rate value. In the case of a gas appliance using fuel gas, the flow value comparison means for comparing the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance with the constant flow value, and the result of comparison by the flow value comparison means And an abnormality determining means for determining that there is an instrumental error when the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance differs from the predetermined flow rate value by a predetermined value or more.

  According to this gas meter, when the gas appliance that is determined to be used is a gas appliance that uses a fuel gas with a constant flow rate value, the constant flow rate value is compared with the measured flow rate value. If the result differs by a predetermined value or more, it is determined that the instrumental error is abnormal. As described above, if the flow rate value is different from the flow rate value by a predetermined value or more in spite of the originally constant flow rate value, the gas meter is no longer measuring as a flow rate value far from the true flow rate value. The abnormality of the instrumental difference can be determined by the gas meter alone.

  Further, in the gas meter according to the present invention, the abnormality determination means may be configured to provide a plurality of units when the flow rate value of the fuel gas that is actually measured differs from the constant flow value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison by the flow value comparison means. When it is determined at the same time by the gas appliance, it is preferable to determine that the instrumental error is abnormal.

  According to this gas meter, when a constant flow rate value is measured and the measured flow rate value is compared, and if the comparison results in a difference of a predetermined value or more, when a plurality of gas appliances are judged at the same time, an instrumental error is detected. Judge that there is. For this reason, even when the flow rate value has changed due to an abnormality on the gas appliance side, the possibility of erroneous determination can be reduced.

  Further, in the gas meter according to the present invention, the abnormality determination unit may perform a plurality of times when the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured differs from the constant flow rate value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison by the flow rate value comparison unit. When it occurs, it is preferable to determine that the instrumental error is abnormal.

  According to this gas meter, when the flow rate value of the actually measured fuel gas differs from the constant flow rate value by a predetermined value or more, it is determined that there is an instrumental error when it occurs a plurality of times. For this reason, the possibility of erroneous determination can be reduced by multiple determinations. In particular, the accumulation of dust and drain and the intrusion of water cannot be expected to return, and the measured flow rate value and the constant flow rate value will differ by a predetermined value or more over a long period of time. In other words, it is different from the predetermined value over and over again. For this reason, depending on the setting a plurality of times, it is possible to determine the accumulation of dust and drain and the intrusion of water.

  Further, in the gas meter of the present invention, the abnormality determination unit may be configured to perform a predetermined time when the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured differs from the constant flow rate value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison by the flow rate value comparison unit. It is preferable to determine that there is an instrumental error when it occurs multiple times within.

  According to this gas meter, when the actually measured flow rate value of the fuel gas is different from the constant flow rate value by a predetermined value or more, it is determined that there is an instrumental error when it occurs a plurality of times within a predetermined time. For this reason, when the flow rate value vibrates due to the use of the gas appliance, the possibility of erroneous determination can be reduced.

  In the gas meter of the present invention, it is preferable that the gas meter further includes output means for outputting a message to the effect that the abnormality determining means determines that the instrumental error is abnormal.

  According to this gas meter, when it is determined that the instrumental error is abnormal, it is further provided with an output means for outputting the fact, so that the user and the fuel gas company can be notified of the abnormality. In particular, the accumulation of dust and drain that cannot be expected to return and the intrusion of water will be given an opportunity to return, and the instrumental error of the gas meter can be recovered.

  In the gas meter of the present invention, it is preferable that the gas appliance using the fuel gas having the constant flow rate value includes a gas appliance using the fuel gas having the constant flow rate only for a specific time during the use of the fuel gas. .

  According to this gas meter, the gas appliance that uses the fuel gas with the constant flow value includes the gas appliance that uses the fuel gas with the constant flow value only for a specific time during the use of the fuel gas. For this reason, the flow rate value measured for gas appliances that operate at maximum capacity only for a certain period of time immediately after ignition, such as a gas fan heater, and that use a constant flow rate only immediately after ignition, is the true flow rate value, etc. Can be determined.

  The abnormality determination method for a gas meter according to the present invention is a gas meter abnormality determination method for determining an abnormality of an instrumental difference, a gas appliance determination step for determining a gas appliance being used, and a determination in the gas appliance determination step. A flow rate comparison step of comparing the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance with the constant flow rate value when the gas appliance is a gas appliance that uses fuel gas of a constant flow rate value; The abnormality determination step of determining that the instrumental error is abnormal when the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance differs from the predetermined flow rate value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison in the flow rate value comparison step. It is characterized by having.

  According to this gas meter abnormality determination method, when the gas appliance that is determined to be in use is a gas appliance that uses fuel gas with a constant flow value, the constant flow value is compared with the measured flow value. When the comparison results in a difference of a predetermined value or more, it is determined that the instrumental error is abnormal. As described above, if the flow rate value is different from the flow rate value by a predetermined value or more in spite of the originally constant flow rate value, the gas meter is no longer measuring as a flow rate value far from the true flow rate value. The abnormality of the instrumental difference can be determined by the gas meter alone.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to determine an abnormality in instrumental error with a single gas meter.

1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel gas supply system including a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the gas meter shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the memory content of the constant flow gas appliance memory | storage part shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the abnormality determination method of the gas meter which concerns on this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the gas meter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a graph which shows an example of the spectrum data of a gas stove. It is a graph which shows an example of spectrum data of a gas stove. It is a graph which shows an example of the spectrum data of a water heater. It is a graph which shows an example of the spectrum data of a fan heater. It is a flowchart which shows the abnormality determination method of the gas meter which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel gas supply system including a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel gas supply system 1 supplies fuel gas to each gas appliance 10 such as a gas stove, a fan heater, a water heater, and a gas stove. A supply regulator 20, pipes 31 and 32, a gas meter 40, and an alarm device 50 are provided.

  The adjuster 20 adjusts the fuel gas from the upstream to a predetermined pressure and flows it through the first pipe 31. The adjuster 20 has a configuration in which, for example, the fuel gas is adjusted to a pressure of about 2.9 kPa and flows through the first pipe 31. The first pipe 31 connects the regulator 20 and the gas meter 40. The second pipe 32 is a pipe that connects the gas meter 40 and the gas appliance 10. The gas meter 40 measures the flow rate of the fuel gas and displays the integrated flow rate. In such a fuel gas supply system 1, a flow path connected to the first pipe 31 and the second pipe 32 is formed in the gas meter 40, and the fuel gas flowing through the regulator 20 flows from the first pipe 31 to the gas meter 40. , And reaches the gas appliance 10 through the second pipe 32 and is burned in the gas appliance 10.

  The alarm device 50 detects a gas leak in a room such as a kitchen and gives an alarm by voice or the like. This alarm device 50 is connected to the gas meter 40 and is configured to be able to transmit gas leak information to the gas meter 40.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the gas meter 40 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the gas meter 40 includes a flow sensor 41, a pressure sensor 42, a storage unit 43, a microcomputer 44, a display unit (output unit) 45, and a communication unit (output unit) 46. An instrumental error abnormality of the gas meter 40 can be diagnosed.

  The flow sensor 41 is installed in the flow path in the gas meter 40 and detects the gas flow rate in the flow path. The pressure sensor 42 is installed in the flow path in the gas meter 40 and detects the gas pressure in the flow path. In the present embodiment, various sensors can be used for the flow sensor 41 and the pressure sensor 42.

  The memory | storage part 43 memorize | stores the information of the flow volume transition at the time of each gas appliance use as described in patent document 1-patent document 3 while memorize | storing various data etc. required for flow volume measurement. The storage unit 43 includes a constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a. The constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a is a gas appliance 10 in which each gas appliance 10 uses a constant flow value or a gas appliance 10 that uses a non-constant flow value, or only at a specific time. This stores information as to whether or not the gas appliance 10 uses a constant flow rate value. The constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a stores information on the constant flow rate value of the gas appliance 10 that uses a constant flow value.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the stored contents of the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43 a is associated with each gas appliance 10 (for example, a gas stove, a gas stove, floor heating, a BF bath, a fan heater, and a water heater), respectively. The information is memorized.

  Specifically, the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a stores that the flow rate at the time of use is constant for the gas stove, the flow rate value is 100 L / h for LP gas, and 200 L / h for natural gas. is doing. The same applies to floor heating. In addition, the amount of gas used in the gas stove varies, such as low fire, medium fire, and high fire. For this reason, the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a stores that the flow rate value at the time of use of the gas stove is indefinite. The same applies to water heaters.

  In addition, the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a has a constant flow rate at the time of use for a BF type hot water bath (old water heater not controlled by a microcomputer) only in a specific time zone, and the flow rate value is about LP gas. X2L / h, and it is memorized as Y2L / h for natural gas. It should be noted that the specific time zone for the BF type bath kettle is when the bath is filled or when the bath is refurbished. The same applies to the fan heater. The specific time zone in the fan heater is immediately after ignition. Immediately after ignition, the fan heater is operated at the maximum capacity for a fixed time, and the fuel gas having the same flow rate value is stably used. For this reason, the fan heater uses fuel gas having a constant flow rate immediately after ignition.

  In the following description, the gas appliance 10 that uses a constant flow value is referred to as a constant flow gas appliance 10. Further, the constant flow gas appliance 10 is a concept including the gas appliance 10 that uses the fuel gas having a constant flow rate value only for a specific time during use of the fuel gas. Therefore, the constant flow gas appliance 10 is not limited to the gas stove and floor heating that always use a constant flow rate as described with reference to FIG. 3, and the BF type bath tank that uses a constant flow rate for a predetermined time period. It is a concept that includes a fan heater.

  Reference is again made to FIG. The microcomputer 44 performs overall control of the gas meter 40, and in this embodiment, the flow rate measurement unit 43a, the pressure measurement unit 43b, the used appliance determination unit (gas appliance determination unit) 43c, and the flow rate value comparison unit (flow rate value). A comparison unit) 43d, and an abnormality determination unit (abnormality determination unit) 43e.

  The flow rate measuring unit 43 a measures the gas flow rate based on a signal from the flow rate sensor 41. The pressure measuring unit 43b measures the gas pressure based on a signal from the pressure sensor 42.

  The used appliance determination unit 43c determines the gas appliance 10 being used. For example, the appliance determination unit 43c measures the flow rate value when the measurement values measured by the flow rate measurement unit 43a and the pressure measurement unit 43b change, and the transition of the flow rate value and the storage unit. From the stored contents of 43, the used gas appliance 10 is determined. In addition, since there is a certain correlation between the flow rate and the pressure, the used appliance determination unit 43c may determine the gas appliance 10 used based on the pressure.

  When the gas appliance 10 determined by the used appliance determination unit 44c is the constant flow gas appliance 10, the flow value comparison unit 44d determines the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the constant flow gas appliance 10 and the constant flow rate. The constant flow rate value stored in the gas appliance storage unit 43a is compared. More specifically, it is assumed that the gas appliance 10 used by the appliance determination unit 44c is determined to be a gas stove. In this case, the flow value comparison unit 44d determines whether or not the gas stove is the constant flow gas appliance 10 based on the stored contents of the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a. Then, the flow value comparison unit 44d determines that the gas stove is the constant flow gas appliance 10, and the flow value actually measured by the flow measurement unit 44a and the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a stored in the constant flow gas appliance storage unit 43a. A flow rate value (100 L / h for LP gas, 200 L / h for natural gas) is compared.

  As a result of the comparison by the flow rate value comparison unit 44d, the abnormality determination unit 44e is configured such that the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the constant flow rate gas appliance 10 is the constant flow rate value stored in the constant flow rate gas appliance storage unit 43a. When the difference is greater than a predetermined value, it is determined that an instrumental error has occurred in the gas meter 40. That is, if there is no instrumental error, the actually measured flow rate value of the fuel gas and the stored constant flow rate value should be substantially the same. The fact that these flow rate values differ by a predetermined value or more means that an instrumental error abnormality has occurred, and in such a case, the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that there is an instrumental error.

  The display unit 45 performs various displays under the control of the microcomputer 44. In the present embodiment, the display unit 45 has a function of displaying information to that effect when the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that the instrumental error is abnormal.

  The communication unit 46 transmits and receives information to and from the alarm device 50 and the center. In this embodiment, the communication part 46 transmits the information to that effect to the alarm device 50 or the center, when it is judged by the abnormality judgment part 44e that it is instrumental error. Thereby, it is possible to notify the alarm device 50 of an abnormality or to dispatch a worker who grasps the abnormality at the center and performs maintenance. Furthermore, when information indicating an abnormality is repeatedly sent to the center, a shut-off signal may be transmitted to the gas meter 40 and the shut-off valve may be closed.

  Next, an abnormality determination method for the gas meter 40 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an abnormality determination method for the gas meter 40 according to the present embodiment. First, the microcomputer 44 determines whether or not at least one of the flow rate value and the pressure value has changed based on the measurement results of the flow rate measurement unit 44a and the pressure measurement unit 44b (S1).

  When it is determined that there is no change in the flow rate value and the pressure value (S1: NO), this process is repeated until it is determined that there is a change. On the other hand, when it is determined that at least one of the flow rate value and the pressure value has changed (S1: YES), the use appliance determination unit 44c determines the gas appliance 10 being used from the transition of the gas flow rate (S2).

  Thereafter, the flow value comparison unit 44d determines whether or not the gas appliance 10 determined in step S2 is a constant flow gas appliance 10 that always uses a constant flow rate (S3). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the flow rate value comparison unit 44 d determines whether the determined gas appliance 10 is a gas stove, floor heating, or the like.

  When it is determined that the constant flow gas appliance 10 always uses a constant flow rate (S3: YES), the process proceeds to step S6. On the other hand, when it is determined that it is not the constant flow gas appliance 10 that always uses a constant flow rate (S3: NO), the flow value comparison unit 44d determines whether or not it is a constant flow gas appliance 10 that uses a constant flow rate for a specific time. Judgment is made (S4). That is, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the flow rate value comparison unit 44 d determines whether the determined gas appliance 10 is a BF-type bathtub, a fan heater, or the like.

  When it is determined that it is not the constant flow gas appliance 10 that uses a constant flow rate for a specific time (S4: NO), the process shown in FIG. 4 ends. When it is determined that the constant flow gas appliance 10 uses a constant flow rate for a specific time (S4: YES), the flow value comparison unit 44d determines whether or not it is currently in a specific time zone (S5). Here, the specific time zone is a time when the bath is filled or bathed in the BF type bath, and a certain time immediately after ignition in the fan heater.

  If it is determined that the current time is not a specific time zone (S5: NO), the processing shown in FIG. 4 ends. On the other hand, when it is determined that the current time is a specific time zone (S5: YES), the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S6, the flow rate measuring unit 44a measures the flow rate value (S6). Thereafter, the flow rate value comparison unit 44c compares the flow rate value measured in step S6 with the flow rate value stored in the constant flow rate gas appliance storage unit 43a, and the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that both are equal to or greater than a predetermined value. It is determined whether or not they are different (S7).

  When it is determined that the difference is not more than the predetermined value (S7: NO), the process shown in FIG. 4 ends. On the other hand, if it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined value (S7: YES), the abnormality determination unit 44e determines whether or not the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined number (multiple times) (S8).

  If it is determined that the difference is greater than or equal to the predetermined number (multiple times) (S8: YES), the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that an instrumental error in the gas meter 40 has occurred (S10), and the process proceeds to step S11. As described above, the abnormality determination unit 44e reduces the possibility of erroneous determination by determining whether or not the difference is greater than a predetermined number of times. In particular, for dust and drain accumulation and water ingress, recovery cannot be expected, and the measured flow rate value and the stored flow rate value will differ by a predetermined value or more over a long period of time. In other words, it is different from the predetermined value over and over again. For this reason, depending on the setting of the predetermined number of times, it is possible to determine the accumulation of dust and drain and the intrusion of water.

  When it is determined that the difference is not different by a predetermined number (multiple times) (S8: NO), the abnormality determination unit 44e determines whether or not the plurality of constant flow gas appliances 10 are different by a predetermined value or more at the same time (S9). ). For example, the abnormality determination unit 44e monitors the gas stove, and when it is determined that the difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the abnormality determination unit 44e monitors the BF-type bath tank and the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined value. At the same time, it is determined that the difference is more than a predetermined value. As described above, the abnormality determination unit 44e determines whether or not the other constant flow gas appliances 10 are different from each other by a predetermined value or more in a state where it is determined that the specific constant flow gas appliances 10 are different from each other by a predetermined value or more. It becomes. This prevents a situation in which an abnormality occurs in the specific constant flow gas appliance 10 and the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that the instrumental error is abnormal although the instrumental difference of the gas meter 40 is normal.

  If it is determined that a plurality of constant flow gas appliances 10 differ by a predetermined value or more at the same time (S9: YES), the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that an instrumental error has occurred (S10), and the process is as follows. The process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, when it is determined that the plurality of constant flow gas appliances 10 are not different by a predetermined value or more at the same time (S9), the process shown in FIG.

  If an instrumental error is determined in step S10, the display unit 45 displays an abnormality and the communication unit 46 transmits a signal indicating the abnormality to the alarm device 50 or the management center (S11). . Thus, the abnormality is notified and maintenance is performed. Thereafter, the process shown in FIG. 4 ends.

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the process ends when “NO” is determined in S5. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and “YES” is determined when “NO” is determined in S5. Another flow that waits until it is executed may be executed. This is because the possibility of missing a specific time zone can be reduced.

  Thus, according to the gas meter 40 and the abnormality determination method according to the first embodiment, the gas appliance 10 determined to be used is a constant flow gas appliance 10 that uses fuel gas having a constant flow rate value. In this case, the constant flow rate value is compared with the measured flow rate value, and if the comparison results in a difference of a predetermined value or more, it is determined that an instrumental error in the gas meter 40 has occurred. As described above, when the flow rate value is different from the flow rate value by a predetermined value or more in spite of showing a constant flow rate value, the gas meter 40 no longer measures the flow rate value far from the true flow rate value. First, it is possible to determine the abnormality of the instrumental difference with the gas meter alone.

  Further, when a constant flow rate value is compared with a measured flow rate value, and a difference of a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison is determined at the same time by a plurality of constant flow gas appliances 10, an instrumental difference of the gas meter 40 Judge that an abnormality has occurred. For this reason, even when the flow rate value has changed due to an abnormality on the gas appliance 10 side, the possibility of erroneous determination can be reduced.

  Further, when the actually measured flow rate value of the fuel gas differs from the constant flow rate value by a predetermined value or more, it is determined that an instrumental error in the gas meter 40 has occurred when it occurs a plurality of times. For this reason, the possibility of erroneous determination can be reduced by multiple determinations. In particular, the accumulation of dust and drain and the intrusion of water cannot be expected to return, and the measured flow rate value and the constant flow rate value will differ by a predetermined value or more over a long period of time. In other words, it is different from the predetermined value over and over again. In other words, it is different from the predetermined value over and over again. For this reason, depending on the setting a plurality of times, it is possible to determine the accumulation of dust and drain and the intrusion of water.

  In addition, since it is further provided with a display unit 45 and a communication unit 46 that output the fact when it is determined that the instrumental error is abnormal, it is possible to notify the user and the fuel gas company of the abnormality. In particular, the accumulation of dust and drain that cannot be restored and the intrusion of water are given a chance of restoration, and the instrumental error of the gas meter 40 can be restored.

  Further, the constant flow gas appliance 10 includes the gas appliance 10 that uses the fuel gas having a constant flow rate value only for a specific time during the use of the fuel gas. For this reason, the flow rate value measured for the gas appliance 10 which is operated with the maximum capacity only for a certain time immediately after ignition, such as a gas fan heater, and uses a constant flow rate only immediately after the ignition, is a true flow rate value. Or the like.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The gas meter 40 and abnormality determination method according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, but are partially different. Only the differences will be described below.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a gas meter 40 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, in the second embodiment, the storage unit 43 includes a spectrum data storage unit 43b. Spectral data indicates the correlation between the frequency and amplitude of the flow waveform or pressure waveform obtained immediately after the start of use of the gas appliance 10, and is as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, for example.

  FIG. 6 is a graph showing an example of spectrum data of a gas stove, and FIG. 7 is a graph showing an example of spectrum data of a gas stove. Moreover, FIG. 8 is a graph which shows an example of the spectrum data of a water heater, and FIG. 9 is a graph which shows an example of the spectrum data of a fan heater.

  As shown in these figures, the spectrum data is different for each gas appliance 10. When there is a change in the flow rate value or the pressure value, the use instrument determination unit 44c calculates the flow rate value measured by the flow rate measurement unit 44a for a specified time (for example, 2 seconds) or the pressure value measured by the pressure measurement unit 44b. Spectral data is calculated by acquiring and Fourier transforming this. Then, the use appliance determination unit 44c compares the calculated spectrum data with the spectrum data stored in the spectrum data storage unit 43b, and determines that the gas appliance 10 indicated by the spectrum data having the highest similarity is used.

  Here, each spectrum data will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 6, when a gas stove is used, the obtained pressure waveform contains almost no frequency component of 20 Hz or more, but tends to show a large amplitude in a frequency component near about 10 Hz.

  Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, when a gas stove, a water heater, and a fan heater are used, the obtained pressure waveform tends to show a large amplitude in a frequency component of 20 Hz or more. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when a gas stove is used, the obtained pressure waveform tends to exhibit a large amplitude in a frequency component of about 20 to 40 Hz. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, when a water heater is used, the obtained pressure waveform tends to show a large amplitude in a frequency component of 70 Hz or more in addition to a frequency component of about 20 to 40 Hz. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, when a fan heater is used, the obtained pressure waveform tends to show a large amplitude in frequency components of about 20 to 40 Hz and 250 Hz. In FIGS. 56 to 9, the peak existing near 60 Hz is noise caused by the commercial power supply.

  Thus, the frequency component of the pressure waveform differs for each gas appliance 10 used. As described above, the spectrum data storage unit 43b stores the spectrum data for each type of the gas appliance 10, and the use appliance determination unit 44c determines the gas appliance 10 that has been used based on these differences. .

  6 to 9 show the spectrum data obtained by Fourier transforming the pressure waveform. Since the pressure and the flow rate have a certain correlation, the spectrum obtained by Fourier transforming the flow rate waveform is shown. The same applies to data. The spectrum data is not limited to the Fourier transform of the flow rate waveform or the pressure waveform, and may be calculated by other analysis methods as long as it shows a correlation between frequency and amplitude.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an abnormality determination method for the gas meter 40 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, in the second embodiment, when it is determined that there is a change in at least one of the flow rate value and the pressure value (S1: YES), the used appliance determination unit 44c sets the flow rate for a specified time (for example, 2 seconds). A value or a pressure value is acquired, and this is Fourier transformed to calculate spectrum data (S12).

  Then, the appliance determining unit 44c calculates the similarity between the calculated spectrum data and each of the spectrum data stored in the spectrum data storage unit 43b (S13). Thereafter, the use appliance determination unit 44c determines that the gas appliance 10 indicated by the spectrum data having the highest similarity is used (S2). Thereafter, the processing is executed as in FIG.

  In this way, according to the gas meter 10 and the abnormality determination method according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

  As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the gas meter 10 according to the present embodiment, the flow rate values are compared, and when the flow rate values differ by a predetermined value or more over a plurality of times as a result of the comparison, it is determined that there is an instrumental error. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be determined that the instrumental difference is abnormal when the flow rate value differs by a predetermined value or more within a predetermined time. This is because the possibility of erroneous determination by the abnormality determination unit 44e can be reduced when the flow rate value vibrates.

  In the present embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 44e may determine the cause of the instrumental error, and the display unit 45 and the communication unit 46 may change the output contents according to the cause of the instrumental error. Thereby, it is possible to distinguish the mixed gas state, temperature change, dust and drain accumulation, and water intrusion, and provide more appropriate information. Further, only the dust and drain accumulation that cannot be naturally recovered and the ingress of water may be distinguished and output.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 44e determines that there is an instrumental error when the measured flow rate value and the stored constant flow rate value are different from each other by a predetermined value, but this predetermined value is used. It may be variable for each gas appliance 10. This is because it can be determined whether or not the allowable range for each gas appliance 10 has been exceeded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Gas supply system 10 ... Gas appliance, constant flow gas appliance 20 ... Regulator 31 ... 1st piping 32 ... 2nd piping 40 ... Gas meter 41 ... Flow sensor 42 ... Pressure sensor 43 ... Memory | storage part 43a ... Constant flow gas appliance memory Unit 43b ... Spectrum data storage unit 44 ... Microcomputer 44a ... Flow rate measuring unit 44b ... Pressure measuring unit 44c ... Usage device judgment unit (gas appliance judgment means)
44d ... Flow rate value comparison unit (flow rate value comparison means)
44e ... Abnormality determination unit (abnormality determination means)
45 ... Display section (output means)
46. Communication unit (output means)
50 ... Alarm

Claims (7)

A gas meter for judging an abnormality of the instrument difference,
A gas appliance judging means for judging the gas appliance being used;
When the gas appliance determined by the gas appliance determination means is a gas appliance that uses fuel gas having a constant flow value, the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance and the constant flow value are calculated. A flow value comparison means for comparison;
An abnormality determining means for determining that the instrumental error is abnormal when the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance differs from the predetermined flow rate value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison by the flow rate value comparing means; ,
A gas meter comprising: The abnormality determination means is determined at the same time by a plurality of gas appliances when the flow value of the fuel gas actually measured differs from the constant flow value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison by the flow value comparison means. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the instrumental error is abnormal. The abnormality determining means is configured to detect an abnormality in the instrumental error when the actual measured flow rate of the fuel gas is different from the constant flow value by a predetermined value or more as a result of the comparison by the flow value comparing means. It is judged that it is. The gas meter in any one of Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The abnormality determination means is a case where the result of comparison by the flow value comparison means is that the actual measured fuel gas flow value differs from the constant flow value by a predetermined value or more within a predetermined time. The gas meter according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the instrumental error is abnormal. The gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising output means for outputting a message to the effect that the abnormality determining means has determined that the instrumental error is abnormal. The gas appliance using the fuel gas having the constant flow rate value includes a gas appliance using the fuel gas having the constant flow rate only for a specific time during use of the fuel gas. The gas meter according to any one of 5. A method for judging abnormality of a gas meter for judging abnormality of instrument difference,
A gas appliance judging step for judging the gas appliance being used;
When the gas appliance determined in the gas appliance determination step is a gas appliance that uses fuel gas having a constant flow rate value, the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance and the constant flow rate value are calculated. A flow value comparison process to be compared;
As a result of the comparison in the flow rate comparison step, an abnormality determination step of determining that there is an instrumental error when the flow rate value of the fuel gas actually measured in the gas appliance differs from the predetermined flow rate value by a predetermined value or more; ,
An abnormality determination method for a gas meter, comprising:

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