JP3156819B2 - Gas shut-off valve control device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas shutoff valve control device, and more particularly to a safety operation for shutting off a gas supply by closing a gas shutoff valve provided in a gas supply path in response to detection of an abnormal gas flow or the like. The present invention relates to a gas shut-off valve control device that performs the following.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, for example, an apparatus as shown in FIG. 5 disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-83129 is known. In FIG.
Has a built-in measuring unit 1 having a gas inlet port 1a at one end and a discharge port 1b at the other end, and constitutes a part of a gas supply path. The measuring section 1 generally has a pair of chambers separated by a diaphragm, and gas flows into one of the chambers using the gas pressure of a supply gas, and gas in the other chamber is discharged by the diaphragm that is displaced by the gas inflow. This operation is performed by alternately switching the gas inflow chamber and the discharge chamber by a switching valve (not shown), and the reciprocating motion of the diaphragm is converted into a rotation operation, and a counter (not shown) is driven to accumulate and display the total gas consumption. It has become.

An output shaft 1c, which is rotated by the above-mentioned rotating operation, protrudes from an upper portion of the measuring unit 1, and a magnet 2 is integrally provided on the top of the output shaft 1c. A reed switch 3 as a flow rate detection sensor is arranged near the magnet 2, and when the diaphragm of the measuring section 1 reciprocates with consumption of a certain amount of gas, the output shaft 1c and the magnet 2 fixed thereto rotate. And the reed switch 3
Turns on and off to generate a flow pulse signal. This flow pulse signal is input to a microcomputer (CPU) 5 via an interface (I / F) circuit 4. CP
U5 processes the input flow rate pulse signal according to a predetermined control program, and determines whether or not an abnormal gas flow state has occurred.

The gas inlet port 1a of the metering section 1 is provided with a gas shut-off valve 6, which is an electromagnetic valve that closes the gas inlet port 1a so as to shut off the gas inlet port 1a in response to gas leak detection, gas flow abnormality detection, or the like. ing. The shut-off valve 6 is controlled by the CPU 5
When the solenoid coil is energized in one direction through the F circuit 4, the solenoid plunger is attracted by the urging force of the urging spring (not shown), and the valve is opened by the suction. By being attracted by the magnet, the valve is kept open even when the one-way energization is released,
When U5 causes the solenoid coil to conduct electricity in the other direction via the I / F circuit 4, the attractive force of the permanent magnet is canceled, and the solenoid plunger is moved by the urging force of the urging spring to close the valve.

The shutoff valve 6 is closed by the CPU 5 outputting a valve close signal upon detection of an abnormal gas flow state based on a flow pulse signal, and the valve is opened by a return signal 7 corresponding to the operation of a return switch (not shown). This is performed by the CPU 5 input via the I / F circuit 4 outputting a valve opening signal.
Reference numeral 8 denotes a test signal corresponding to the operation of a test switch (not shown) which is operated when the test of the shutoff valve 6 is cut off.
Is an alarm indicator for alarming an abnormal state such as an abnormal gas flow.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, unless an abnormal state occurs or an intentional test operation or return operation is performed, the shut-off valve 6 is not driven, and the operation is not performed for a long period of time. A state where the shut-off valve is not operated occurs.

As shown in FIG. 6, the shutoff valve 6 has a valve port 6a formed inside the gas inlet port 1a, a valve element 6b which can be freely connected to and disconnected from the valve port, and a solenoid for driving the valve element. 6c and is incorporated in the gas meter. The valve element 6b has mechanical sliding parts and contact parts. When these parts do not operate for a long period of time, they tend to stick with a small amount of foreign matter or moisture, and need to operate. It is not preferable to stop for a long period of time because the operation may not be performed quickly. So, in the gas meter,
Confirmation such as test shutdown should be enforced during maintenance and inspection, but it is difficult at present to completely implement this.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems, and has been made in consideration of the above-described conventional problems. It is intended to provide a device.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, a gas shut-off valve control device according to the present invention is provided in a gas supply path 1a as shown in a basic configuration diagram of FIG. In the gas shut-off valve control device which controls the gas shut-off valve 60 which closes the valve to shut off the gas supply and opens the valve in response to the valve open signal to return the gas supply, the gas shut-off valve is closed and opened. State signal generating means 60a for outputting a state signal indicating the state signal, and first timer means 5b ₁ for detecting a change in the state signal generated by the state signal generating means and starting timekeeping.
When, a second timer means 5b ₂ to start counting in response to the timing of the first predetermined time by the first timer means, from said time count of the first predetermined time by the first timer means second during the by the timer means until the counting of the second predetermined time, the gas use detection unit 5c for detecting the presence or absence of gas use in the downstream side of the gas supply passage, the gas used continuously is detected by the gas use detection means valve control means 5 the closed valve the gas shut-off valve, for generating a valve control signal to open then valve when the
d).

[0010] When the gas cutoff valve control apparatus, wherein the second timer means until you count the second predetermined time, gas use chromatic continues to be detected by the gas use detection means, a warning to that effect And a manual operation means 7a, 8a for generating a valve closing signal and a valve opening signal for shutting off and returning the gas shutoff valve by manual operation.

The gas use detecting means is characterized in that a gas meter monitors a flow rate pulse signal generated in response to gas supply to a downstream side to detect the presence or absence of gas use.

[0012]

In the above construction, the state signal generating means 60a outputs a state signal indicating the valve closing / opening state of the gas shut-off valve 60, and when this state signal changes, the first timer means 5b ₁
There starts measuring time, for example 1 according to the first timer means
Second timer means 5b ₂ starts counting in response to the first counting of a predetermined time of 000 hours. The gas usage detecting means is provided between the time counting of the first fixed time by the first timer means and the time counting of the second fixed time selected from, for example, 720 minutes to 15 minutes by the second timer means. 5c detects whether gas is used on the downstream side of the gas supply path. When no gas use is detected by the gas use detection means,
The valve control means 5d generates a valve control signal for closing the gas shut-off valve and thereafter opening the valve.

Therefore, after the gas shut-off valve is opened or closed , that is, operated for some reason, the status signal is output.
Signal for a first fixed period of time after a change has occurred.
The second fixed time after the first fixed time has elapsed
Until the passage of time, the valve is automatically closed and then opened on condition that the gas is not used, so that the time from the first fixed time to the second fixed time is measured.
The gas shut-off valve is
Will not be left without being activated
You .

Further, the gas is continuously used for a second fixed time after the first fixed time has elapsed , and the valve is automatically closed.
When the operation of opening the valve after
Since it adapted to a warning by warning means, to generate a manual operation means 7a, a valve close signal and valve open signal to cut off and restore the gas shut-off valve by 8a manually operated test blocking, the return Let consumers do it.

Since the use of the gas is monitored and monitored by monitoring the flow rate pulse signal generated by the gas meter in accordance with the gas supply to the downstream side, the gas meter can be preferably used by being incorporated in the gas meter.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a gas shut-off valve control device according to the present invention applied to a gas meter. In FIG. Omitted. In this embodiment, 6
Numeral 0 is a gas shut-off valve incorporating an answer switch 60a constituting a status signal generating means for generating a status signal indicating whether the valve element is in a valve closed state or a valve open state.
A state signal in which 0 occurs is input to the CPU 5 via the signal line L.

In the above configuration, the CPU 5 inputs a flow rate pulse signal generated by turning on / off the reed switch 3, and determines that an abnormality occurs when the number of flow rate pulse signals input per unit time exceeds a predetermined value. , I / F circuit 4
And outputs a valve closing signal to the shut-off valve 60 via. When the shutoff valve 60 closes the gas inlet port 1a in response to the valve close signal and shuts off the gas inlet port 1a, the answer switch 60a changes from on to off or from off to on, and the valve closed state replaces the previous valve open state signal. The signal is input to CPU5. Also,
The CPU 5 operates the I / F by operating the cutoff operation switch 8a.
When the test signal 8 is input via the circuit 4,
A valve close signal is output to the shutoff valve 60 via the F circuit 4, and when the shutoff valve 60 closes and shuts off the gas inlet port 1 a in response to the valve close signal, a valve close state signal is input to the CPU 5. Is done. When the CPU 5 inputs the return signal 7 by operating the return operation switch 7a while the shut-off valve 60 is closed as described above, the shut-off valve 6 is transmitted through the I / F circuit 4.
When a shutoff valve 60 is opened to open the gas inlet port 1a in response to the valve open signal,
A valve open state signal is input to the CPU 5.

As described above, when the status signal input by the CPU 5 changes, the timer built in the CPU 5 starts measuring the time, and checks the elapsed time from the start of the timing while performing normal processing such as monitoring the flow rate pulse signal. to perform _every 100 hours of predetermined time T, the elapsed time, for example 100
Whether to determine exceeds a first predetermined time 0 hours T _2. Note that if the fixed times T ₁ and T ₂ are too short, the battery consumption and the convenience of the consumer will be burdened, so the above time is considered appropriate.

When the time exceeds the first fixed time T ₂ , it is determined whether or not the gas is currently being used by monitoring the flow pulse signal. When the gas is not being used, a valve closing signal is output to the shutoff valve 60, and when a valve close state signal is input from the shutoff valve 60 in response thereto, the shutoff valve 6
When a valve open signal is output for 0 and a valve open state signal is input in response to the signal, the operation returns to the normal operation. If the valve closing and valve opening operations of the shut-off valve are performed at midnight when the consumer does not use gas, inconvenience in operation is reduced. When returning to normal operation starts measuring the predetermined time T _2.

[0020] When it is determined that the gas used at the time exceeds a predetermined time T ₂ are, second one <br/> constant time flow pulse signals set then for example 720 minutes to 15 minutes selected and monitored beyond the T ₃ to determine whether the gas used is continuing. In the consumer a long gas in use, such as by use of Tanehi, it is determined that the gas in use at the time exceeds a predetermined time T _2, yet it is determined that the gas in use exceeds a predetermined time T ₃ Therefore, in such a case, the warning display 9 is caused to display a message urging an inspection such as a test interruption. Alternatively, a notification device may be built in the gas meter, and a long-time gas usage may be reported to the center using the notification device, and the center may communicate with the consumer to prompt an inspection such as a test shutdown.

The CPU 5 executes a control program for performing the above-described operations.
ROM5a storing the program and various data
Data area and various processing
Built-in RAM 5b with work area used for
In the work area of the RAM 5b, as shown in FIG.
First timer area 5b₁, Second timer area 5
b _Two, Flag (FG) 1 area 5b_Three, Flag (FG)
2 area 5b_FourEtc. are formed.

The details of the operation outlined above are described in the CPU 5
Will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 5 starts the operation when the power is turned on, performs initialization in the first step S1, and then proceeds to step S2.
Here, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the state signal from the answer switch 60a of the shutoff valve 60. When the determination in step S2 is 、 O, that is, when the state signal from the answer switch 60a of the shutoff valve 60 changes. to determine whether the flag (FG) 1 flag 1 area 5b ₃ in RAM5b proceeds to step S3 is on when there is no. When the determination in step S3 is ΝO, that is, when FG1 is off, the process proceeds to step S4 to perform the normal processing, and then returns to step S2.

If the determination in step S2 is YES, that is, if the status signal from the inner switch 60a of the shut-off valve 60 has changed, the process proceeds to step S5 and the RAM 5
The first of the timer T ₀₁ is started configured in the first timer area 5b ₁ in b together to start counting, to turn on the FG1 flag 1 area 5b _3. Then time count of the first timer T ₀₁ proceeds to step S6 it is determined whether exceeds the time T _1, the determination in step S6 is ΝO
If it is, the process proceeds to step S3. When the determination in step S6 is YES, the process proceeds to step S7, where the first timer T
₀₁ timing is determined whether or not exceeded the time T _2, when the judgment at step S7 in ΝO proceeds to step S3.

[0024] If the judgment at step S7 is YES, i.e., when the elapsed time since the state of the shut-off valve 60 is changed exceeds the time T ₂ are, whether it is gas used proceeds to step S8 The determination is made by monitoring the flow rate pulse signal input from the reed switch 3. If the determination in step S8 is YES, that is, if gas is being used, the flow proceeds to step S9 to determine whether or not FG2 is on. If the determination is ΝO, the flow proceeds to step S10 to turn on FG2. And the second timer T
Start ₀₂ and start timing. Then count of the second timer T ₀₂ proceeds to step S11, it is determined whether or not exceeds the time T _3, the determination of step S11 is ΝO
In the case of, the process returns to step S2 via step S4.

When the determination in step S8 is $ O
Proceeding to step S12, the shutoff valve 60 sends a valve close signal or valve open.
The signal is output, and FG1 and FG1 are output in the next step S13.
And FG2 are turned off, and the process returns to step SS2.
If the determination in step S11 is YES,
And the second timer T₀₂Is a predetermined time T set in advance
_ThreeIf it exceeds, the process proceeds to step S14 and the warning indicator
9 to make a display prompting inspection
Proceed to step S15, where FG1 and FG2 are turned off.
Then, the process returns to step S2.

[0026] With the above processing, when there is a change in status signal from the answer switch 60a of the shutoff valve 60, i.e., when the shut-off valve 60 is actuated, start the time count of the first timer T ₀₁ constant determine whether exceeds a predetermined time T ₂ every time T _1, by returning after blocking the shut-off valve 60 on the condition that it is not in use gas when exceeding the predetermined time T _2, automatically shut-off valve Since the shut-off valve 60 can be operated, it is possible to prevent the shut-off valve 60 from being left unoperated for a long period of time and sticking, so that the shut-off valve 60 does not operate when gas shut-off is required.

[0027] Incidentally, manually blocked by the shut-off valve 60 is in the valve closed state, and when the gas hose is in a state of being pulled, valve open signal following the output of No. valve closing signal by the predetermined time interval has elapsed since T ₂ Is output and the valve is opened to cause gas ejection. In such a case, in the normal process of the gas meter in step S4, an overflow is detected and a valve closing signal is output to the shutoff valve 60. There is no problem because the valve 60 is closed to shut off the gas supply path.

As is apparent from the above description, the CPU 5
Is provided on the downstream side of the gas supply path between the time measurement of a fixed time by the first timer configured in the first timer area and the time measurement of the fixed time by the second timer configured in the second timer area. Gas use detecting means 5c for detecting the presence or absence of gas use, and valve control means for generating a valve control signal for closing the gas shut-off valve when the gas use is no longer detected by the gas use detection means and thereafter opening the valve. Working as 5d.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the gas cutoff valve is not operated for the first fixed time after the valve is opened or closed, the second cutoff is performed after the first fixed time has elapsed .
Until the time elapses, on the condition that the gas is not used, the operation of automatically closing the valve and opening the valve is performed.
If no gas is used before the time of
Will not be left without being activated.
Kuna is, so the occurrence of a situation that cutoff impossible due to the gas shut-off valve was in long-term stopped state can be avoided in advance.

When the gas has been used for the second fixed time after the first fixed time has elapsed, a warning is issued by the warning means, so that the gas is automatically used. Even when it is not possible to perform the operation of closing the valve and then opening the valve, the user manually generates a valve close signal and a valve open signal for shutting off / returning the gas shutoff valve, and the test shutoff / return is performed by the consumer. Can be reliably performed.

It should be noted that since the use or non-use of the gas is monitored by monitoring the flow rate pulse signal generated by the gas meter in accordance with the gas supply to the downstream side, it is incorporated in the gas meter and the gas shut-off built in the gas meter is installed. It can be ensured that the valve is not left unactivated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a gas shut-off valve control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing one embodiment of a gas cutoff valve control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration in a RAM in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed by a CPU in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional gas cutoff valve control device.

FIG. 6 is a cut-away view showing a part of a gas meter incorporating a gas shut-off valve controlled by the apparatus of FIG. 5;

[Explanation of symbols]

1a Gas supply path (gas inlet port) 5b ₁ First timer means (first timer area) 5b ₂ Second timer means (second timer area) 5c Gas use detection means (CPU) 5d Valve control means ( CPU) 7a Manual operation means (return operation switch) 8a Manual operation means (cutoff operation switch) 9 Warning means (warning indicator) 60 Gas cutoff valve 60a Status signal generation means (answer switch)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A gas shutoff valve control device provided in a gas supply path, for controlling a gas shutoff valve that closes a valve in response to a valve close signal to shut off gas supply, and opens a valve in response to a valve open signal to return gas supply. , A state signal generating means for outputting a state signal indicating a valve closing / opening state of the gas shut-off valve; and a first timer for detecting a change in a state signal generated by the state signal generating means and starting time measurement. means and, said first and second timer means for starting counting in response to the first counting of the predetermined time by the timer means, the time count of the first predetermined time by the first timer means and the second until counting of the second predetermined time by the timer means, and the gas use detection means for detecting the presence or absence of gas use in the downstream side of the gas supply passage, the gas used continuously is detected by the gas use detection means <br/> The gas shut-off valve is closed. , The gas shut-off valve control device, characterized in that it comprises a valve control means for generating a valve control signal to open then valve. 2. A warning means for warning when gas use is continuously detected by the gas use detection means until the second timer means finishes measuring a second fixed time, and 2. The gas shut-off valve control device according to claim 1, further comprising a manual operation unit that generates a valve close signal and a valve open signal for shutting off and returning the gas shut-off valve. 3. The gas usage detecting means according to claim 1, wherein the gas meter monitors a flow rate pulse signal generated in response to gas supply to a downstream side to detect the presence or absence of gas usage. Gas shut-off valve control device.