JP2013200273A - Method for using gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for using a gas meter capable of taking a safety measure with an alarm for inner pipe gas leakage without stopping operation of a gas device with constant gas consumption which continuously consumes a specific quantity of gas.SOLUTION: In a gas meter which comprises tow gas outlets, a constant gas outlet 6 connected to a gas device with constant gas consumption 4 which continuously consumes a specific quantity of gas and a variable gas outlet 7 connected to a gas device 5 which consumes a variable quantity of gas, a main gas channel 10 communicated with one gas inlet 3 is divided into a constant gas channel 11 and a variable gas channel 12. A gas flow rate measuring section 15 is installed only on the variable gas channel 12 which is provided with a variable gas shutoff valve 18 and a pressure sensor 19 arrange at a downstream side of the variable gas shutoff valve 18. Whether or not a gas leakage occurs at a side of the gas device 5 or at the sides of the gas device with constant gas consumption 4 and the gas device 5 is detected by sensing gas pressure by the pressure sensor 19 at the downstream side of the variable gas shutoff valve 18 with the same in a shutoff state.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of using a gas meter that is installed in each dwelling unit and used for city gas billing, for example, and more specifically, includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and flows from the gas inlet. The present invention relates to a method of using a gas meter provided with a gas flow rate measuring unit that measures the flow rate of gas flowing out from a gas outlet.

For example, the gas charge for each dwelling unit is set so as to be imposed on the total flow rate of gas used within a certain period. Therefore, currently used gas meters have one gas inlet and one gas outlet, and various gas equipment is connected to the gas outlet, and the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas meter is measured by the gas flow measuring unit. It is configured to charge for the total flow rate of the gas obtained by integrating the measured flow rate. A gas shut-off valve that shuts off the gas flow is provided in the gas flow path connecting the gas inlet and the gas outlet, and a pressure sensor is provided downstream of the gas shut-off valve in the gas flow path. .
In this conventional gas meter, when detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage on the gas equipment side, after all the gas equipment valves are closed, the gas shut-off valve is opened to allow the gas to flow into the gas equipment side. The gas shut-off valve is closed, and the pressure sensor detects the gas pressure in the gas flow path to detect the presence or absence of gas leakage. There are no prior patent documents).
In addition, in order to check whether there is a gas leak in a pipe connected to the gas outlet or gas equipment, a safety measure called an inner pipe leak alarm is also taken. Specifically, within a certain period (for example, 30 days), it is detected whether or not the amount of gas used has become zero, and if the amount of gas used has not become zero. Therefore, it is judged that gas leakage has occurred in piping and gas equipment, and safety measures such as stopping gas flow are taken.

By the way, in recent years, there are many cases in which a metered gas using device that uses a constant amount of gas continuously, for example, a fuel cell is used as a gas device. This will cause inconvenience in detection.
That is, since a fuel cell uses a constant amount of gas continuously in principle, the amount of gas used will not be zero as long as the fuel cell is used. There is a problem that it becomes impossible to implement safety measures by.
Therefore, conventionally, the operation of the fuel cell is completely stopped during a certain period (for example, 30 days) for detecting gas leakage, for example, for one day, and the amount of gas used becomes zero during that period. However, it was necessary to stop the operation of the fuel cell for a certain period of time. There is a problem that the deterioration of the fuel cell is accelerated by not only reducing the rate but also repeating the stop and operation.

In order to solve such problems, a gas meter is provided with one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and a fuel cell using a constant amount of gas is connected to one of the two gas outlets. The other side is connected to a gas device using an indefinite amount of gas, and the gas flow path communicating with the gas inlet is branched into a gas flow path communicating with the fuel cell and a gas flow path communicating with the gas device. It is conceivable to provide a gas flow rate measuring unit only in the gas flow path communicating with the gas flow path.
In other words, since a fuel cell always uses a certain amount of gas, for example, the total flow rate of gas used can be surely known from the operating time of the fuel cell. If the total flow rate of the gas is measured by the flow rate measuring unit, the total usage amount of the gas can be surely known by adding the total usage flow rate on the fuel cell side to the total usage flow rate on the gas device side. When gas leakage is detected on the gas equipment side, the amount of gas used becomes zero within a certain period based on the measurement result by the gas flow rate measurement unit provided in the gas flow path on the gas equipment side. Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the fuel cell, and it is possible to reliably avoid a decrease in the operating rate and early deterioration of the fuel cell. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a safety measure using an inner pipe leakage alarm without stopping the operation of a metered gas using device when using a metered gas using device such as a fuel cell that uses a constant amount of gas continuously. It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of using a gas meter capable of taking measures.

  In order to achieve the above object, the gas meter usage method according to the present invention comprises a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and measures a flow rate of gas flowing in from the gas inlet and flowing out from the gas outlet. The gas meter is provided with one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and one of the two gas outlets continuously uses a fixed amount of gas. A main gas flow path that is configured at a fixed gas outlet that connects a gas using device and that is configured at a non-quantitative gas outlet that connects a gas device that uses a non-fixed amount of gas, and that communicates with the gas inlet, is the fixed gas. The non-quantitative gas flow path is branched into a fixed gas flow path communicating with the outlet and a non-quantitative gas flow path communicating with the non-quantitative gas outlet, and the gas flow rate measuring unit is provided only in the non-quantitative gas flow path. In A non-quantitative gas shut-off valve is provided, and a pressure sensor for detecting a gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path is provided downstream of the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve in the non-quantitative gas flow path, With the valves of all the gas devices connected to the outlets closed, the indeterminate gas shut-off valve is opened, and then the indeterminate gas shut-off valve is closed after the gas has flowed into the gas device side. In this state, the pressure sensor detects the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path to detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the gas device side.

According to the above characteristic configuration, for example, when a fuel cell is used as the metering gas use device, the gas flow rate measuring unit is provided in the metering gas flow path by connecting the fuel cell to the metering gas outlet. Even if it is not, the total flow rate of the gas can be surely known from the operating time of the fuel cell. Also, by connecting general gas equipment such as cooking gas utensils and water heaters to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring unit provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path can be integrated. In this way, you can know the total gas flow rate of the gas device connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet, and add the total gas flow rate on the metered gas device side to the non-quantitative gas outlet and the quantitative gas outlet. Through this, the total amount of gas used can be surely known.
In addition, when gas leakage is detected on the gas device connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the gas is detected within a certain period based on the measurement result by the gas flow rate measuring unit provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path. Because it can be carried out by detecting whether or not the usage amount of the gas has become zero, it is not necessary to stop the metering gas use device such as the fuel cell connected to the metering gas outlet. It is possible to reliably avoid a reduction in the operating rate of equipment used and an early deterioration.
And when detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage on the gas equipment side, with the valves of all the gas equipment connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet closed, the gas equipment is opened by opening the non-quantitative gas shutoff valve. After the gas has flowed in, the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve is closed and the pressure sensor detects the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path in that state. It is determined whether or not the value is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, and if the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no gas leakage on the non-quantitative gas outlet side, and the pressure drop value is greater than or equal to the threshold value. If there is, it can be determined that there is gas leakage at the non-quantitative gas outlet side.

  A further characteristic configuration of the method of using the gas meter according to the present invention is that the main gas flow path is provided with a main gas shut-off valve, and is connected to the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and to the non-quantitative gas outlet In a state in which all the gas equipment valves are closed, after the main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are opened, the gas is allowed to flow into the metered gas using equipment side and the gas equipment side. The main gas shutoff valve is closed, and in this state, the pressure sensor detects the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path to detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metered gas using device side and the gas device side. There is in point to do.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, when detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metering gas using device side and the gas device side, all gases connected to the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and the non-quantitative gas outlet With the equipment valve closed, the main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are opened, and then the main gas shut-off valve is closed after the gas has flowed into the metering gas using equipment side and the gas equipment side. In this state, the pressure sensor detects the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path, and for example, detects whether the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value during a certain period of time. If the value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no gas leakage at the metering gas outlet and the non-quantitative gas outlet side. If the pressure drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the gas at the metering gas outlet or the non-quantitative gas outlet side. Judge that there is a leak Rukoto can.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the method of using the gas meter according to the present invention includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and measures the flow rate of the gas flowing in from the gas inlet and flowing out from the gas outlet. A method of using a gas meter including a measuring unit, wherein the gas meter has one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and one of the two gas outlets uses a constant amount of gas continuously. A metering gas outlet connected to a metering gas using device, and the other gas gas outlet using a nonquantitative gas connected to a metering gas outlet, the main gas flow path communicating with the gas inlet, A non-quantitative gas flow path that communicates with a fixed-quantity gas flow path that communicates with a fixed-quantity gas outlet and a non-quantitative gas flow path that communicates with the non-quantitative gas outlet. A non-quantitative gas shut-off valve is provided in the passage, and a pressure sensor for detecting a gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path is provided downstream of the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve in the non-quantitative gas flow path, In a state in which a main gas shutoff valve is provided in the main gas flow path, and the valves of the metered gas using device connected to the metered gas outlet and all the gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet are closed, The main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are opened, and then the main gas shut-off valve is closed after the gas is allowed to flow into the metered gas using device side and the gas device side, and the pressure sensor is in that state. By detecting the gas pressure of the non-quantitative gas flow path, the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metered gas using device side and the gas device side is detected, and then all the gas connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet Close the valve of the gas equipment In this state, after the gas has flowed into the gas device by opening the main gas cutoff valve and the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve, the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve is closed, and in this state, the pressure sensor The gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path is detected to detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the gas device side.

According to the above characteristic configuration, as described above, for example, when a fuel cell is used as a metering gas use device, the fuel cell is connected to the metering gas outlet, and the total gas usage is determined from the operating time of the fuel cell. By connecting a general gas device to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring unit provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path can be integrated, and the gas flow can be integrated. The total amount of gas used by the apparatus can be known, and as a result, the total amount of gas used through the non-quantitative gas outlet and the quantitative gas outlet can be surely known.
In addition, when gas leakage is detected on the gas device connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the gas is detected within a certain period based on the measurement result by the gas flow rate measuring unit provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path. Because it can be carried out by detecting whether or not the usage amount of the gas has become zero, it is not necessary to stop the metering gas use device such as the fuel cell connected to the metering gas outlet. It is possible to reliably avoid a reduction in the operating rate of equipment used and an early deterioration.
When detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metering gas using device side and the gas device side, the valves of the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and all gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet With the main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve open, the main gas shut-off valve is closed after the gas has flowed into the metering gas using equipment side and the gas equipment side. The sensor detects the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path, and for example, detects whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value during a certain period of time. If it is less than that, it is judged that there is no gas leakage at the metering gas outlet and the non-quantitative gas outlet side. To judge Kill.
If it is determined that gas leakage has occurred at the metering gas outlet or the non-quantitative gas outlet, the main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are closed with all the gas equipment valves connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet closed. After the gas has flowed into the gas equipment by opening the valve, the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve is closed, and the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path is detected by the pressure sensor in that state. By detecting whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value, if the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, it can be determined that the gas leakage is on the metering gas outlet side. If the drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it can be determined that the gas leakage has occurred at least on the indeterminate gas outlet side.

  Further, in order to achieve the above object, the characteristic configuration of the method of using the gas meter according to the present invention includes a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and measures the flow rate of the gas flowing in from the gas inlet and flowing out from the gas outlet. A method of using a gas meter including a measuring unit, wherein the gas meter has one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and one of the two gas outlets uses a constant amount of gas continuously. A metering gas outlet connected to a metering gas using device, and the other gas gas outlet using a nonquantitative gas connected to a metering gas outlet, the main gas flow path communicating with the gas inlet, The metering gas channel communicating with the metering gas outlet and the non-quantitative gas channel communicating with the non-quantitative gas outlet are branched, and the gas flow rate measuring unit is provided only in the non-quantitative gas channel, and the main gas flow Road A main gas shut-off valve is provided, and a pressure sensor for detecting a gas pressure is provided in a flow path downstream from the main gas shut-off valve, and the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and the indeterminate amount After the valves of all the gas devices connected to the gas outlets are closed, the main gas is allowed to flow into the metering gas using device side and the gas device side by opening the main gas shut-off valve. The shut-off valve is closed, and in this state, the gas pressure is detected by the pressure sensor to detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metered gas using device side and the gas device side.

According to the above characteristic configuration, as described above, for example, when a fuel cell is used as a metering gas use device, the fuel cell is connected to the metering gas outlet, and the total gas usage is determined from the operating time of the fuel cell. By connecting a general gas device to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the flow rate measured by the gas flow rate measuring unit provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path can be integrated, and the gas flow can be integrated. The total amount of gas used by the apparatus can be known, and as a result, the total amount of gas used through the non-quantitative gas outlet and the quantitative gas outlet can be surely known.
In addition, when gas leakage is detected on the gas device connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the gas is detected within a certain period based on the measurement result by the gas flow rate measuring unit provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path. Because it can be carried out by detecting whether or not the usage amount of the gas has become zero, it is not necessary to stop the metering gas use device such as the fuel cell connected to the metering gas outlet. It is possible to reliably avoid a reduction in the operating rate of equipment used and an early deterioration.
When detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metering gas using device side and the gas device side, the valves of the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and all gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet With the main gas shut-off valve open, the main gas shut-off valve is closed after the gas has flowed into the metering gas using equipment side and the gas equipment side by opening the main gas shut-off valve, and in this state the main gas shut-off valve is More downstream gas pressure is detected. For example, during a certain period of time, it is detected whether the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value. If the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, If it is determined that there is no gas leakage at the non-quantitative gas outlet side and the pressure drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it can be determined that there is gas leakage at the non-quantitative gas outlet side.

  A further characteristic configuration of the method of using the gas meter according to the present invention is that the metering gas outlet is a fuel cell gas outlet connecting a fuel gas inlet of the fuel cell.

  According to the above characteristic configuration, by connecting the fuel gas inflow port of the fuel cell to the metered gas outlet, as described above, when detecting gas leakage on the gas equipment side connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet, the fuel cell Therefore, it is not necessary to stop the operation of the fuel cell. Therefore, it is possible to reliably avoid a decrease in the operating rate and early deterioration of the fuel cell.

Schematic configuration diagram of gas meter Schematic configuration diagram of gas flow meter Flow chart showing how to use the gas meter Flow chart showing how to use the gas meter Flow chart showing how to use the gas meter

An embodiment of a method for using a gas meter according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
This gas meter is, for example, a city gas gas meter installed in each dwelling unit and used for charging a gas charge. As shown in FIG. 1, the gas meter 1 is connected to the gas supply pipe 2 side. A gas inlet 3 and two gas outlets 6 and 7 connected to gas devices 4 and 5.
One of the two gas outlets 6 and 7 is configured as a metering gas outlet 6 for connecting the fuel cell 4 as a metering gas using device that uses a constant amount of gas continuously (constantly). It is connected to the fuel gas inlet 4 a of the fuel cell 4 via the service pipe 8.
The other of the two gas outlets 6 and 7 is configured as a non-quantitative gas outlet 7 for connecting a general gas appliance 5 that uses an undefined amount of gas, for example, a cooking gas appliance or a water heater, It is connected to various gas appliances 5 through an indefinite gas pipe 9.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main gas flow path 10 that communicates with the gas inlet 3 is a non-quantitative gas that communicates with the quantitative gas flow path 11 that communicates with the quantitative gas outlet 6 and the non-quantitative gas outlet 7. The main gas flow path 10 is branched to the flow path 12, and a seismic shut-off valve 13 that stops the gas flow when a vibration greater than a set value is detected is provided so as to function as a main gas shut-off valve. The gas flow path 11 is provided with an excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 such as a fuse gas stopper that stops the flow of gas when a predetermined amount or more of gas flows through the fixed gas flow path 11.
The non-quantitative gas flow path 12 is provided with an ultrasonic gas flow rate measuring unit 15 that measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the non-quantitative gas flow path 12. That is, the gas flow rate measurement unit 15 is provided only in the non-quantitative gas flow path 12, and the ultrasonic gas flow meter 17 is configured by the gas flow rate measurement unit 15 and the control device 16.
A non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 18 is provided on the downstream side of the gas flow rate measuring unit 15 of the non-quantitative gas flow channel 12 to stop the gas flow when a gas flow rate abnormality occurs in the non-quantitative gas flow channel 12. Furthermore, a pressure sensor 19 for detecting the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas passage 12 is provided on the downstream side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic gas flow rate measurement unit 15 is a pair of transmitters / receivers 20, 21 that transmit / receive ultrasonic waves, that is, an upstream transmitter / receiver disposed upstream of the non-quantitative gas flow path 12. 20 and a downstream transmitter / receiver 21 arranged so as to face the downstream side of the upstream transmitter / receiver 20 by a predetermined distance. The apparatus 16 is connected, and the ultrasonic-type gas flowmeter 17 is comprised by both the transmitter / receivers 20 and 21 and the control apparatus 16 grade | etc.,.
The control device 16 sends drive pulses to both the transmitters / receivers 20 and 21 to generate ultrasonic waves, and the upstream transmitter / receiver 20 directs the ultrasonic waves to the downstream transmitter / receiver 21 in accordance with the drive pulses from the control device 16. The downstream transmitter / receiver 21 transmits the reception of the ultrasonic wave to the control device 16 by an electric signal. Similarly, the downstream transmitter / receiver 21 transmits an ultrasonic wave to the upstream transmitter / receiver 20 in accordance with the drive pulse from the control device 16, and the upstream transmitter / receiver 20 receives the ultrasonic wave by an electric signal. Transmit to the control device 16.

In the control device 16, the flow rate deriving means 16 a of the control device 16 flows through the indefinite gas flow channel 12 based on the ultrasonic reception signals sent from the upstream transmitter / receiver 20 and the downstream transmitter / receiver 21. The propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in the gas to be calculated is calculated to derive the gas flow rate.
Specifically, the propagation time from the upstream transceiver 20 to the downstream transceiver 21 (forward propagation time) and the propagation time from the downstream transceiver 21 to the upstream transceiver 20 (reverse propagation time) A gas flow rate is calculated based on the difference, and a gas flow rate is derived by multiplying the calculated flow rate by the cross-sectional area of the non-quantitative gas flow path 12.
Then, the flow rate integration means 16b of the control device 16 calculates the integrated gas flow rate by integrating the gas flow rate sent from the flow rate derivation means 16a, and the calculation result is displayed on the external display means 16c provided in the control device 16. It is configured to display.

The operation of the gas meter 1 is all controlled by the control device 16, and the operation of the gas meter 1 will be described next.
A gas (for example, city gas) supplied through the gas supply pipe 2 flows into the main gas flow path 10 from the gas inlet 3 and is divided into the fixed gas flow path 11 and the non-quantitative gas flow path 12. The gas flowing into the metering gas channel 11 is supplied to the fuel cell 4 from the fuel gas inlet 4 a through the metering gas outlet 6 through the metering gas pipe 8 and supplied to the fuel of the fuel cell 4. Since the fuel cell 4 uses a constant amount (for example, 300 L / h) of gas continuously, a predetermined amount of gas determined by the fuel cell 4 is normally passed through the metering gas channel 11. From the operating time of the fuel cell 4 and the like, the total usage flow rate of the gas flowing through the metering gas channel 11 can be known.
However, for example, the metering gas pipe 8 is damaged to cause gas leakage, or a gas device other than the fuel cell 4 is mistakenly connected to the metering gas pipe 8 to set a set amount (for example, When 400 L / h) or more of gas flows, the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is activated to stop the gas flow, and the notification means notifies the fact as necessary.
When a fuse gas plug is used as the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14, if a gas of a set amount or more flows through the metering gas flow path 11, the fuse gas plug is activated and the gas flow is stopped simultaneously. The gas cutoff valve 13 is also configured to close. With this configuration, the fuse gas plug naturally opens after a certain time has elapsed after the main gas shut-off valve 13 is closed.

On the other hand, the gas that has flowed into the non-quantitative gas flow path 12 is supplied from the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 to the various gas devices 5 through the non-quantitative gas pipe 9, and is supplied to the fuel of the various gas devices 5. As for the gas flowing through the non-quantitative gas flow path 12, the flow rate deriving means 16a of the control device 16 derives the gas flow rate, and the flow rate integrating means 16b calculates the accumulated gas flow rate as described above. Then, the amount of gas used by the fuel cell 4 is added thereto, and the total amount of gas used through the non-quantitative gas channel 12 and the metered gas channel 11 is displayed on the external display means 16c.
Further, the gas flow meter 17 detects whether or not the amount of gas used has become zero within a certain period (for example, 30 days). If it is determined that there is no gas leakage in the unspecified gas pipe 9 or the gas equipment 5 connected to it, the gas flow is continued. It is determined that the gas flow shutoff valve 18 is closed, the gas flow is stopped, and this is notified by appropriate means if necessary.

When the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 18 is closed, the user closes all the gas devices 5 connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7, and a return button (not shown) provided in the control device 16. ), The control device 16 confirms the presence or absence of gas leakage.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the return button is turned on and operated (S1), the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 is opened with the main gas cutoff valve 13 still open (S2), After a lapse of a certain time (S3), that is, after a sufficient time has passed for the gas to flow into the gas device 5 connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7, the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 is closed (S4). .
In this state, the pressure value by the pressure sensor 19 is read, and it is detected whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor 19 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value during a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (S5, S6). If the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no gas leakage at the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 side, and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 18 is opened (S7) to return to the normal use state. If the pressure drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that there is a gas leak at the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 side, and a warning is issued by appropriate means without opening the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 18 (S8). .

As described above, the gas flow rate abnormality in the non-quantitative gas flow path 12, for example, the non-quantitative gas pipe 9 is damaged, and a predetermined amount or more of gas flows through the non-quantitative gas flow path 12. Also in this case, the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 is closed to stop the gas flow, and this is notified by appropriate means if necessary.
In that case, after repairing the leaked part, the quality of the repaired part of the leaked part is confirmed, and the confirmation is also performed by operating the return button.
That is, when the return button is entered and operated, the control device 16 executes the steps shown in FIG. 3 and automatically confirms the quality of the repair.

Further, as described above, even when the fixed gas piping 8 is damaged and gas leakage occurs, and as a result, the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is activated and the gas flow is stopped, the repair quality is repaired after repairing the leaked portion. In this case, the fuel cell 4 connected to the metering gas outlet 6 and all the gas devices 5 connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 are closed and the return button is turned on and operated. .
In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, when the return button is turned on and operated (S11), the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is opened, and the main gas cutoff valve 13 and the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 are closed. If it is, the valve is opened (S12), and if the excessive flow rate prevention mechanism 14 is still open (S13), after a certain period of time (S14), that is, the fuel cell 4 side connected to the metering gas outlet 6 and After a sufficient time has passed for the gas to flow into the gas device 5 connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7, the main gas shut-off valve 13 is closed while the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 18 is open (S15). ).
In this state, the pressure value by the pressure sensor 19 is read, and it is detected whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor 19 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value during a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (S16, S17). If the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that repair of the metering gas pipe 8 has been completed, that is, it is determined that there is no gas leakage at the metering gas outlet 6 side, and the main gas shut-off valve 13 is opened. At the same time, the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is opened (S18) to return to the normal use state. If the pressure drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that there is gas leakage on the metering gas outlet 6 side, and a warning is appropriately issued by means without opening the main gas shut-off valve 13 (S19). In S13, if the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is closed, it is determined that there is a gas leak on the metering gas outlet 6 side, the main gas cutoff valve 13 is closed, and a warning is issued as appropriate. (S20).

Further, by performing the steps shown in FIG. 4, not only the presence or absence of gas leakage on the fuel cell 4 side connected to the metering gas outlet 6, but also the gas equipment 5 side connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 side. The presence or absence of gas leakage at the same time can also be detected.
That is, when detecting whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor 19 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value (S16, S17), the fuel cell 4 connected to the metering gas outlet 6 and the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 are connected. Since all the gas devices 5 are closed, the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 18 are open (S13), so the fuel cell 4 side connected to the metered gas outlet 6 and the non-quantitative value are determined. It is possible to simultaneously detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the gas device 5 side connected to the gas outlet 7.
When detecting the presence or absence of gas leakage on the fuel cell 4 side and the gas equipment 5 side, the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 remains open, and therefore it is not always necessary to provide the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18. Alternatively, the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 can be omitted. In that case, the pressure sensor 19 may be provided on the downstream side of the main gas shut-off valve 13. Therefore, if the pressure sensor 19 is on the downstream side of the main gas shut-off valve 13, it may be provided in the main gas flow path 10. It is also possible to provide the channel 11.

Further, detection of gas leakage at the time of newly installing the fuel cell 4 or the gas device 6 or at the start of use is performed by executing the steps shown in FIG.
That is, when the return button is turned on (S21), the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is opened, and if the main gas cutoff valve 13 and the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 are closed (S22), If the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 remains open (S23), after a predetermined time has passed (S24), that is, the gas connected to the fuel cell 4 side connected to the metering gas outlet 6 and the gas connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 After a sufficient time has passed for the gas to flow into the device 5 side, the main gas cutoff valve 13 is closed while the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 is open (S25).
In this state, the pressure value by the pressure sensor 19 is read, and it is detected whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor 19 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value during a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (S26, S27). If the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no gas leakage, and the main gas shut-off valve 13 is opened, and the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is opened (S28) to set it in a usable state.

In S26, if the pressure drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that there is a gas leak at the fixed gas outlet 6 and the non-fixed gas outlet 7 side, the main gas cutoff valve 13 is opened (S29), and a predetermined time After a lapse of time (S30), that is, after a sufficient time has passed for gas to flow into the gas device 5 connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet 7, the main gas cutoff valve 13 and the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve 18 are closed. (S31).
In this state, the pressure value by the pressure sensor 19 is read, and it is detected whether or not the pressure drop value by the pressure sensor 19 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value during a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) (S32, S33). If the pressure drop value is less than the threshold value, it is determined that there is no gas leakage at the non-quantitative gas outlet 7 side, and there is gas leakage at the quantitative gas outlet 6 side, and the main gas cutoff valve 13 and the non-quantitative gas cutoff valve Without opening the valve 18, an alarm is issued by appropriate means to warn that the gas leakage is on the metering gas outlet 6 side (S 34). If the pressure drop value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that there is at least a gas leak on the undefined gas outlet 7 side, and the main gas shut-off valve 13 and the undetermined gas shut-off valve 18 are not opened. An alarm is issued to warn that gas leakage is at least on the side of the indeterminate gas outlet 7 (S35). In S23, if the excessive flow prevention mechanism 14 is closed, it is determined that there is a gas leak on the metering gas outlet 6 side, the main gas cutoff valve 13 is closed, and a warning is issued as appropriate. (S36).

[Another embodiment]
In the previous embodiment, the gas meter for city gas installed in each dwelling unit was shown as the gas meter 1, but it is not limited to the gas meter for city gas installed in the dwelling unit, and can be applied to various other gas meters. is there.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas meter 3 Gas inlet 4 Fuel cell as apparatus using metering gas 4a Fuel gas inflow port of fuel cell 5 Gas equipment 6 Metering gas outlet 7 Non-quantitative gas outlet 10 Main gas channel 11 Metering gas channel 12 Non-quantitative gas channel 13 Main gas shut-off valve 15 Gas flow rate measuring unit 18 Non-quantitative gas shut-off valve 19 Pressure sensor

Claims (5)

A gas meter comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and comprising a gas flow rate measuring unit for measuring a flow rate of gas flowing in from the gas inlet and flowing out from the gas outlet,
The gas meter includes one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and one of the two gas outlets is configured as a metered gas outlet for connecting a metered gas using device that uses a constant amount of gas continuously. The other is configured as an undefined gas outlet connecting a gas device using an undefined amount of gas, and a main gas flow path communicating with the gas inlet includes a fixed gas flow path communicating with the fixed gas outlet and the undefined amount. Branched to a non-quantitative gas flow path communicating with a gas outlet, the gas flow rate measuring unit is provided only in the non-quantitative gas flow path, and a non-quantitative gas shut-off valve is provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path. A pressure sensor for detecting the gas pressure in the metering gas channel is provided downstream of the metering gas shutoff valve in the metering gas channel;
After the valves of all the gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet are closed, the non-quantitative gas shut-off valves are allowed to flow into the gas device by opening the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve. The gas meter is used by detecting the gas leakage on the gas device side by closing the valve and detecting the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path with the pressure sensor in this state.   A main gas shutoff valve is provided in the main gas flow path, and the valves of the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and all the gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet are closed. The main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are opened to close the main gas shut-off valve after allowing gas to flow into the metering gas using device side and the gas device side, and the pressure in that state The method of using a gas meter according to claim 1, wherein a gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path is detected by a sensor to detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metered gas using device side and the gas device side. A gas meter comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and comprising a gas flow rate measuring unit for measuring a flow rate of gas flowing in from the gas inlet and flowing out from the gas outlet,
The gas meter includes one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and one of the two gas outlets is configured as a metered gas outlet for connecting a metered gas using device that uses a constant amount of gas continuously. The other is configured as an undefined gas outlet connecting a gas device using an undefined amount of gas, and a main gas flow path communicating with the gas inlet includes a fixed gas flow path communicating with the fixed gas outlet and the undefined amount. Branched to a non-quantitative gas flow path communicating with a gas outlet, the gas flow rate measuring unit is provided only in the non-quantitative gas flow path, and a non-quantitative gas shut-off valve is provided in the non-quantitative gas flow path. A pressure sensor for detecting the gas pressure in the metering gas channel is provided downstream of the metering gas shutoff valve in the metering gas channel;
A main gas shutoff valve is provided in the main gas flow path, and the valves of the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and all the gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet are closed. The main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are opened to close the main gas shut-off valve after allowing gas to flow into the metering gas using device side and the gas device side, and the pressure in that state By detecting the gas pressure of the non-quantitative gas flow path with a sensor, the presence or absence of gas leakage on the metered gas using device side and the gas device side is detected,
Thereafter, with all the gas equipment valves connected to the non-quantitative gas outlets closed, the main gas shut-off valve and the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve are opened to allow gas to flow into the gas equipment side. After that, the gas meter is used to close the non-quantitative gas shut-off valve, detect the gas pressure in the non-quantitative gas flow path with the pressure sensor, and detect the presence or absence of gas leakage on the gas device side. Method. A gas meter comprising a gas inlet and a gas outlet, and comprising a gas flow rate measuring unit for measuring a flow rate of gas flowing in from the gas inlet and flowing out from the gas outlet,
The gas meter includes one gas inlet and two gas outlets, and one of the two gas outlets is configured as a metered gas outlet for connecting a metered gas using device that uses a constant amount of gas continuously. The other is configured as an undefined gas outlet connecting a gas device using an undefined amount of gas, and a main gas flow path communicating with the gas inlet includes a fixed gas flow path communicating with the fixed gas outlet and the undefined amount. Branched to a non-quantitative gas flow path communicating with a gas outlet, the gas flow rate measuring unit is provided only in the non-quantitative gas flow path, a main gas shut-off valve is provided in the main gas flow path, and the main gas shut-off A pressure sensor for detecting the gas pressure is provided in the flow path downstream of the valve;
Using the metering gas by opening the main gas shut-off valve in a state in which the valves of the metering gas using device connected to the metering gas outlet and all the gas devices connected to the non-quantitative gas outlet are closed. The main gas shut-off valve is closed after flowing gas into the device side and the gas device side, and in this state, the gas pressure is detected by the pressure sensor, and the metered gas using device side and the gas device side How to use a gas meter to detect the presence or absence of gas leaks.   The method of using a gas meter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the metering gas outlet is a gas outlet for a fuel cell connecting a fuel gas inlet of a fuel cell.

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