JP2017227521A - Restoration safety confirmation time control device and restoration safety confirmation time control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a restoration safety confirmation time control device configured to determine completion of restoration safety confirmation with a time value not for each flow rate class but for each flow rate.SOLUTION: A completion time calculation unit 4 is configured to calculate a completion time for each gas flow rate, with a gas flow rate at the time when a shutoff valve 2 closes. A lapse time measurement unit 7 is configured to measure a lapse time from the time when restoration safety confirmation is started. A comparison command unit 8 is configured to output a comparison command periodically. A comparison unit 9 is configured to, when the comparison command 8 outputs the comparison command, compare the completion time calculated by the completion time calculation unit 4 with the lapse time measured by the lapse time measurement unit 7, to determine completion of restoration safety confirmation in a case where the lapse time is equal to or more than the completion time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling the time required for a return safety check performed after shutting off a gas with a gas meter in accordance with the gas flow rate.

The gas meter is provided with a mechanism for shutting off a gas such as a shutoff valve. For example, the time during which the gas can be continuously used is set according to the gas flow rate, and when the time has elapsed, the shutoff valve is closed and the gas is shut off. Then, after shutting off the gas, when returning to the normal state where the shut-off valve is open, in order to check whether there is any gas leak, a return safety check that observes the gas flow rate within an arbitrary time is performed. Done.
In the return safety check, it is necessary to check whether a flow rate above the minimum flow rate is observed based on the gas flow rate at the time of shutoff. It takes time to confirm safety. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a gas shut-off device that provides a flow rate classification and sets a return safety confirmation time for each flow rate classification. The return safety confirmation time for the minimum flow rate classification is longer than the return safety confirmation time for the other flow rate classifications.

JP 2006-349346 A

  As described above, in the gas shut-off device described in Patent Document 1, the return safety confirmation time is set for each of the N flow rate segments. Therefore, even if the gas flow rates at the time of shutoff are different, the same return safety confirmation time is set if they belong to the same flow rate category. In other words, if the flow rate is large among the flow rates that belong to the same flow rate category, the recovery safety confirmation time that is longer than necessary is forcibly set, so it takes time to recover after shutting off the gas. was there.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and is to obtain a return safety confirmation time control device that determines completion of return safety confirmation using a time value for each flow rate instead of for each flow rate category. Objective.

  The return safety confirmation time control device according to the present invention includes a completion time calculation unit that calculates a completion time for each gas flow rate using a gas flow rate when a shutoff valve that shuts off gas is closed, and a return safety check is started. Is completed when the elapsed time measurement unit that measures the elapsed time from the start, the comparison instruction unit that outputs the comparison instruction at the set cycle after the return safety check is started, and the comparison instruction is output by the comparison instruction unit Comparing the completion time calculated by the time calculation unit with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit, and comprising a comparison unit that determines completion of return safety confirmation when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the completion time It is what.

  According to the present invention, the comparison unit compares the completion time, which is a time value calculated for each gas flow rate, with the elapsed time, so that the return safety check is completed using the time value for each flow rate instead of for each flow rate category. It is determined.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the return safety confirmation time control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the return safety confirmation time control apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a graph which shows the example of a function used for calculation of completion time. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the gas flow rate at the time of closing a shut-off valve, completion time, and return safety | security confirmation time. It is a graph which shows the other function example used for calculation of completion time. It is a table | surface which shows the relationship between the gas flow rate at the time of closing a shut-off valve, completion time, and return safety | security confirmation time.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a return safety confirmation time control apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The return safety confirmation time control device is incorporated in a gas meter (not shown) and is configured integrally with the gas meter.
The interruption determination unit 1 determines whether or not to interrupt the gas. For example, the time during which the gas is continuously used is measured, and when the time is longer than the set time, it is determined that the gas is shut off. For example, when the gas flow rate is abnormally large, it is determined that the gas is shut off. When it is determined that the gas is to be shut off, the shut-off determining unit 1 outputs a shut-off execution instruction to the shut-off valve 2 and the completion time calculating unit 4.

The shutoff valve 2 closes and shuts off the gas when the shutoff determination unit 1 outputs a shutoff execution instruction.
The flow sensor 3 measures the gas flow rate, and outputs the measured gas flow rate to the shut-off determination unit 1, the completion time calculation unit 4, the return safety confirmation unit 6, and the like.

  The completion time calculation unit 4 calculates the completion time for each gas flow rate using the gas flow rate output from the flow rate sensor 3 when the interruption determination unit 1 outputs the interruption execution instruction. For example, the completion time is calculated using a linear function described later. The calculated completion time is output to the comparison unit 9.

  The return safety confirmation start determination unit 5 determines whether or not the return safety check is started after the shutoff valve 2 is closed. For example, when the gas user presses a return button (not shown) or the like to instruct opening of the shut-off valve 2, it is determined that the return safety check is started. When the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5 determines to start the return safety check, it outputs a start instruction to the return safety confirmation unit 6, the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the comparison instruction unit 8.

  When the return safety check start determination unit 5 outputs a start instruction, the return safety check unit 6 starts executing the return safety check to monitor whether there is a gas leak or the like using the gas flow rate output from the flow sensor 3. To do. When the completion of the return safety check is determined by the comparison unit 9 and a completion instruction is output, the return safety check is completed.

  The elapsed time measurement unit 7 measures the elapsed time since the start of the return safety check by starting the time measurement in response to the start instruction from the return safety check start determination unit 5. The measured elapsed time is output to the comparison unit 9.

  When receiving the start instruction from the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5, the comparison instruction unit 8 periodically outputs a comparison instruction to the comparison unit 9. That is, after the return safety check is started, a comparison instruction is output to the comparison unit 9 at a set cycle. The comparison instruction unit 8 may be a frequency divider that uses the output of the elapsed time measurement unit 7.

  When the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs a comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time calculated by the completion time calculation unit 4 and the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7 at the timing when the comparison instruction is received. To do. When the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the completion time, the comparison unit 9 determines completion of the return safety confirmation and outputs a completion instruction to the return safety confirmation unit 6.

  For example, the interruption determination unit 1, the completion time calculation unit 4, the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5, the return safety confirmation unit 6, the elapsed time measurement unit 7, the comparison instruction unit 8, and the comparison unit 9 are programmed by a processor (not shown). It is realized by executing. Also, a plurality of processors may be linked together.

Next, an example of the process of the return safety confirmation time control device configured as described above will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.
When the shut-off determining unit 1 determines that the gas is shut off and outputs a shut-off execution instruction to the shut-off valve 2 and the completion time calculating unit 4, the shut-off valve 2 is closed and the gas is shut off. When the completion time calculation unit 4 receives the cutoff execution instruction, the completion time calculation unit 4 calculates the completion time using the gas flow rate output from the flow sensor 3 (step ST1). The calculation of the completion time can use the gas flow rate output from the flow rate sensor 3 when the cutoff execution instruction is received. Alternatively, the completion time calculation unit 4 stores the history of the gas flow rate output from the flow sensor 3 in a memory (not shown), reads the history when receiving a cutoff execution instruction, and completes the latest gas flow rate. You may use for calculation of time. In this way, the completion time calculation unit 4 calculates the completion time using the gas flow rate when the shutoff valve 2 is closed.
The completion time is calculated using a linear function having a negative slope as shown in FIG.

Subsequently, the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5 determines whether or not to start return safety confirmation (step ST2). For example, when the user presses a return button (not shown) or the like to instruct opening of the shut-off valve 2, it is determined that the return safety check is started.
When the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5 determines not to start the return safety confirmation (step ST2: NO), the process of step ST2 is repeated.

On the other hand, when the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5 determines to start the return safety check (step ST2: YES), a start instruction is output by the return safety confirmation start determination unit 5, and the return safety check unit 6 and the elapsed time measurement The unit 7 and the comparison instruction unit 8 start each process (step ST3).
That is, the return safety confirmation unit 6 starts monitoring gas leakage, the elapsed time measurement unit 7 starts measuring time, and the comparison instruction unit 8 starts outputting comparison instructions at the set cycle. Here, a case where the period in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds will be described as an example.

Subsequently, the comparison unit 9 determines whether a comparison instruction is output by the comparison instruction unit 8 (step ST4).
When the comparison instruction is not output (step ST4; NO), the process of step ST4 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the comparison instruction is output (step ST4; YES), the comparison unit 9 displays the comparison instruction by using the completion time calculated by the completion time calculation unit 4 and the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7. The received timing is compared, and it is determined whether the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the completion time (step ST5). The elapsed time compared with the completion time at this time is the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring unit 7 when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction. When the period in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds, the comparison process by the comparison unit 9 is performed once every 12 seconds.

When the elapsed time is less than the completion time (step ST5; NO), the process of step ST4 is performed again. That is, the comparison unit 9 waits for the next comparison instruction to be output.
On the other hand, when the elapsed time is equal to or longer than the completion time (step ST5; YES), the comparison unit 9 determines completion of the return safety check and outputs a completion instruction to the return safety check unit 6 (step ST6).
The return safety confirmation unit 6 outputs an instruction to close the shut-off valve 2 when the gas leak is detected after starting the process in step ST3, interrupts the return safety check, and shuts off the gas again. Let

FIG. 4 is a table showing the completion time Tj and the return safety confirmation time Tk for each gas flow rate Q when the shutoff valve 2 is closed. The return safety confirmation time Tk is the time from the start of the return safety confirmation until the completion of the completion is determined by the comparison unit 9. The linear function used for calculating the completion time Tj is as shown in the following formula (1), and a takes a negative value.
Tj = a × Q + b (1)
The completion time Tj shown in FIG. 4 is a value when a is −1.33 and b is 57, and is rounded down for the sake of convenience. Depending on the values of the coefficients a and b of the linear function used when calculating the completion time Tj, the completion time Tj takes a value different from that shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 4 shows an example of the completion time Tj. ing.

Here, since the cycle in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds, the return safety confirmation time Tk is an integer multiple of 12.
Then, when the completion time Tj is calculated as shown in FIG. 4, when the gas flow rate Q is 0 or more and 6 or less, the completion time Tj takes a value greater than 48 seconds and 60 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 60. Second. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the fifth comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.

Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 7 or more and 15 or less, the completion time Tj takes a value greater than 36 seconds and 48 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 48 seconds. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the fourth comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.
Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 16 or more and 24 or less, the completion time Tj takes a value greater than 24 seconds and 36 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 36 seconds. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the third comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.

Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 25 or more and 33 or less, the completion time Tj takes a value greater than 12 seconds and less than or equal to 24 seconds, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 24 seconds. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the second comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.
Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 34 or more, the completion time Tj takes a value of 12 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 12 seconds. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the first comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. The
Since the period in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds, the return safety confirmation time Tk is 12 seconds at the shortest, that is, the same value as the period.

  In this way, the completion of the return safety check is determined by the comparison process in the comparison unit 9 using the completion time that is a time value calculated for each gas flow rate. By using the completion time, which is a time value calculated for each gas flow rate, in the comparison process, if it belongs to the same flow rate category, compared to the case where a time value that is the same value is used for the comparison process even if the gas flow rate is different, It is possible to determine the completion of the return safety check reflecting the difference in gas flow rate. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the return safety confirmation time will be longer than necessary for the gas flow rate when the shutoff valve 2 is closed.

Further, in the conventional gas shut-off device such as the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, a return safety confirmation time is set for each of the N flow rate sections, and the information is stored in a non-volatile memory in which information is not erased even if there is no power supply. Although necessary, reading from the nonvolatile memory consumes power. Therefore, when applied to a gas meter operated by a battery, there has been a disadvantage that the battery life is shortened.
On the other hand, the return safety confirmation time control device according to the first embodiment does not require the process of reading the return safety confirmation time stored in advance in the nonvolatile memory from the nonvolatile memory, and the comparison process by the comparison unit 9 Is performed periodically, for example, at a cycle of 12 seconds, thereby reducing power consumption.

  The cycle in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is the shortest value of the return safety confirmation time. Therefore, it is conceivable to set the cycle so that the return safety confirmation time becomes the shortest when the gas flow rate is equal to or higher than the first set value. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when the gas flow rate Q is between 33 and 34, the return safety confirmation time Tk becomes the shortest value when the gas flow rate Q is 34 or more, and the gas flow rate Q is less than 34. Then, the cycle is set so that the return safety confirmation time Tk is longer than the shortest value. For example, as described above, the period is set to 12 seconds as a value of 11 seconds or more as the completion time Tj when the gas flow rate Q is 34 and less than 13 seconds as the completion time Tj when the gas flow rate Q is 33. .

  Further, the linear function used when the completion time calculation unit 4 calculates the completion time is such that the completion time is calculated such that the return safety confirmation time becomes the longest when the gas flow rate is less than the second set value. It is conceivable to set a coefficient. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, when the gas flow rate Q is between 6 and 7, the return safety confirmation time Tk is the longest when the gas flow rate Q is less than 7, and the gas flow rate Q is 7 or more. Then, the coefficient of the linear function is set so that the return safety confirmation time Tk is shorter than the longest value. When the cycle in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds and the longest return safety confirmation time is 60 seconds, the completion time Tj greater than 48 seconds and less than 60 seconds is calculated when the gas flow rate Q is less than 7. A linear function is used.

Note that the completion time calculation unit 4 may calculate the completion time using a sigmoid function in a broad sense as shown in FIG. 5 instead of the linear function.
FIG. 6 is a table showing the relationship among the gas flow rate Q when the shut-off valve 2 is closed, the completion time Tj, and the return safety confirmation time Tk when a sigmoid function is used to calculate the completion time. An example of the sigmoid function used for calculating the completion time Tj is shown in the following equation (2). ABS (Qd) means taking the absolute value of (Qd).
Tj = c × (Q−d) ÷ (e + ABS (Q−d)) + f (2)
The completion time Tj shown in FIG. 6 is a value when c is −30, d is 21.3, e is 0.3, and f is 20, and is rounded down for convenience. Depending on the values of the coefficients c, d, e, and f of the sigmoid function used when calculating the completion time Tj, the completion time Tj will be different from that shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 6 shows the completion time Tj. An example is shown.

Also here, the period in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds.
When the completion time Tj is calculated as shown in FIG. 6, when the gas flow rate Q is 0 or more and 17 or less, the completion time Tj takes a value greater than 48 seconds and 60 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 60. Second. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the fifth comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.

Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 18 or more and 20 or less, the completion time Tj takes a value greater than 36 seconds and 48 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 48 seconds. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the fourth comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.
Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 21, the completion time Tj is 35 seconds, which is a value greater than 24 seconds and less than or equal to 36 seconds, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 36 seconds. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the third comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. Is done.
Similarly, when the gas flow rate Q is 22 or more, the completion time Tj takes a value of 12 seconds or less, so the return safety confirmation time Tk is 12 seconds, which is the same as the comparison instruction cycle. That is, when the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the first comparison instruction, the comparison unit 9 compares the completion time Tj with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit 7, and the completion of the return safety check is determined. The

  Thus, the completion time which is the time value for each gas flow rate may be calculated using the sigmoid function.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the first setting value of the gas flow rate Q is set to 22, and it is considered that the comparison instruction cycle is set so that the return safety confirmation time Tk is the shortest when the first setting value or more is reached. be able to. That is, when the gas flow rate Q is between 21 and 22, the return safety confirmation time Tk becomes the shortest value when the gas flow rate Q is 22 or more, and when the gas flow rate Q is less than 22, the return safety is longer than the shortest value. The comparison instruction cycle is set so that the confirmation time Tk is reached. For example, as described above, the period is set to 12 seconds as a value of −1 second or more, which is the completion time Tj when the gas flow rate Q is 22, and less than 35 seconds, which is the completion time Tj when the gas flow rate Q is 21. ing.

  Further, the sigmoid function used when the completion time calculation unit 4 calculates the completion time is such that the completion time is calculated such that the return safety confirmation time becomes the longest when the gas flow rate is less than the third set value. It is conceivable to set a coefficient. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 6, when the gas flow rate Q is between 17 and 18, when the gas flow rate Q is less than 18, the return safety confirmation time Tk becomes the longest value, and the gas flow rate Q is 18 or more. Then, the coefficient of the sigmoid function is set so that the return safety confirmation time Tk is shorter than the longest value. When the period in which the comparison instruction unit 8 outputs the comparison instruction is 12 seconds and the longest return safety confirmation time is 60 seconds, the completion time Tj greater than 48 seconds and less than 60 seconds is calculated when the gas flow rate Q is less than 18. Use a sigmoid function.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the comparison unit 9 determines the completion of the return safety check by the comparison process using the completion time that is the time value calculated for each gas flow rate. As a result, it is possible to determine the completion of the return safety check reflecting the difference in the gas flow rate as compared with the case where the same time value is used for the comparison process even if the gas flow rate is different if it belongs to the same flow rate category. It becomes possible. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the return safety confirmation time will be longer than necessary for the gas flow rate when the shutoff valve 2 is closed.

  In addition, the period in which the comparison instruction is output by the comparison instruction unit 8 is the return safety confirmation time from the start of the return safety confirmation until the completion of the comparison is determined by the comparison unit 9, and the gas when the shut-off valve 2 is closed. When the flow rate is equal to or higher than the first set value, the minimum value is set. By setting the cycle in this way, it is possible to achieve the shortest return safety confirmation time when the gas flow rate is equal to or higher than the first set value.

  Further, the completion time calculation unit 4 is configured to return safety from the start of the return safety confirmation until the completion is determined by the comparison unit 9 when the gas flow rate when the shutoff valve 2 is closed is less than the second set value. The completion time is calculated using a linear function that calculates the completion time with the longest confirmation time. In this way, even if the period of the comparison instruction is changed, for example, by adjusting the coefficient of the linear function, the gas flow rate at which the return safety confirmation time becomes the longest can be kept constant.

  Further, the completion time calculation unit 4 is configured so that the return safety from when the return safety check is started until the completion is determined by the comparison unit 9 when the gas flow rate when the shutoff valve 2 is closed is less than the third set value. The completion time was calculated using a sigmoid function for calculating the completion time with the longest confirmation time. In this way, for example, even if the comparison instruction cycle is changed, the flow rate at which the return safety confirmation time is longest can be kept constant by adjusting the coefficient of the sigmoid function.

  In the present invention, any constituent element of the embodiment can be modified or any constituent element of the embodiment can be omitted within the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Shut-off determination part 2 Shut-off valve 3 Flow sensor 4 Completion time calculation part 5 Return safety check start determination part 6 Return safety check part 7 Elapsed time measurement part 8 Comparison instruction part 9 Comparison part

Claims (5)

A completion time calculation unit that calculates a completion time for each gas flow rate using a gas flow rate when the shutoff valve that shuts off the gas is closed;
An elapsed time measurement unit that measures the elapsed time since the return safety check was started, and
A comparison instruction unit that outputs a comparison instruction at a set period after the return safety check is started; and
When a comparison instruction is output by the comparison instruction unit, the completion time calculated by the completion time calculation unit is compared with the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measurement unit, and the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the completion time. A return safety confirmation time control device comprising: a comparison unit that determines completion of return safety confirmation.   The period at which the comparison instruction is output by the comparison instruction unit is the return safety confirmation time from the start of the return safety confirmation until the completion of the comparison is determined by the comparison unit, and the gas flow rate when the shut-off valve is closed is 2. The return safety confirmation time control device according to claim 1, wherein the return safety confirmation time control device is set to a minimum value when it is equal to or greater than a first set value.   The completion time calculation unit is a return safety check time from when the return safety check is started until the completion is determined by the comparison unit when the gas flow rate when the shut-off valve is closed is less than a second set value. 3. The return safety confirmation time control device according to claim 1, wherein the completion time is calculated using a linear function for calculating the completion time with the longest time.   The completion time calculation unit is a return safety confirmation time from when a return safety check is started until completion is determined by the comparison unit when a gas flow rate when the shut-off valve is closed is less than a third set value. 3. The return safety confirmation time control device according to claim 1, wherein the completion time is calculated using a sigmoid function for calculating the completion time with the longest time. A completion time calculating unit that calculates a completion time for each gas flow rate using a gas flow rate when the shutoff valve that shuts off the gas is closed; and
An elapsed time measurement unit that measures an elapsed time since the return safety check is started,
The comparison instruction unit outputs a comparison instruction at a set cycle after the return safety check is started, and a comparison instruction step;
When a comparison instruction is output in the comparison instruction step, the comparison unit compares the completion time calculated in the completion time calculation step with the elapsed time measured in the elapsed time measurement step, and the elapsed time A return safety confirmation time control method comprising: a comparison step for determining completion of return safety confirmation when the completion time is exceeded.

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