JP4552952B2 - Gas shut-off device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gas shut-off device for discriminating various media flowing through a pipe using, for example, ultrasonic waves, for example, various city gas or LPG gas, and monitoring whether the medium usage amount and usage status are safe. About.

  A conventional flow meter of this type has a configuration shown in FIG. 4 as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device.

In FIG. 4, 1 is a pipe, and 3 is a first ultrasonic probe, which is installed on the upstream side of the pipe 1. Reference numeral 2 denotes a second ultrasonic probe, which is attached facing the downstream side of the pipe 1.

Reference numeral 5 is a receiving circuit, and 6 is a transmitting circuit. Reference numeral 4 denotes a switch that first connects the receiving circuit 5 and the transmitting circuit 6 to either the first ultrasonic probe 3 or the second ultrasonic probe 2 and measures the propagation time. After the time measurement is completed, the connection destination of the reception circuit 5 , the transmission circuit 6, and the first ultrasonic probe 3 or the second ultrasonic probe 2 is connected to the ultrasonic probe opposite to the first, and the propagation time at the time of reverse connection Measure. 7 is a propagation time difference circuit, and 8 is a flow rate calculation circuit.

Next, the operation of the configuration of the conventional example will be described. A transmission circuit 6 and a reception circuit 5 are connected to a first ultrasonic probe 3 and a second ultrasonic probe 2 which are first opposed by a switch 4 in a pipe 1 through which a gas such as LP gas or city gas flows. A signal is emitted from the first ultrasonic probe 3 toward the second ultrasonic probe 2 to measure the first propagation time of the signal. Next, the switch 4 reverses the ultrasonic probe to which the receiving circuit 5 and the transmitting circuit 6 are connected. Similarly, a signal is emitted from the second ultrasonic probe 2 toward the first ultrasonic probe 3 , the second propagation time of the signal is measured, and the first and second propagation times are input to the propagation time difference circuit 7 . The propagation time difference is obtained. Next, the flow rate Q at the time of measurement is obtained from the propagation time difference obtained by the flow rate calculation circuit 8.
JP-A-4-328423

  However, the above-described conventional configuration does not disclose a method for determining what kind of target gas is used for monitoring whether the amount of usage is measured or whether the gas shut-off device is installed or not.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problem, and gas shut-off for setting various shut-off values for automatically determining what kind of gas is used by a consumer who uses gas when installing the gas shut-off device and for safety monitoring The object is to provide an apparatus.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention includes an upstream vibrator installed on the upstream side of a pipe, a downstream vibrator installed on the downstream side of the pipe, and the upstream vibrator and the downstream vibrator. Transmission means and reception means for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, switching means for switching the transmission / reception direction of ultrasonic waves, propagation time measuring means for obtaining the propagation time of ultrasonic waves in each direction switched by the switching means, and the propagation time Flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate from the propagation time obtained by the measurement means, abnormality determination means for determining abnormal use of gas, cutoff value storage means for storing various cutoff values for abnormality determination, and various gas media Propagation time storage means for storing ultrasonic propagation time data in the inside, propagation time obtained by the propagation time measurement means, and use gas type from propagation time data stored in the propagation time storage means A medium determining means for specifying, and when a gas shut-off device is installed, the medium determining means has a cutoff value setting means for setting various cutoff values according to the type of gas used automatically determined by the medium determining means. is there.

  According to the above-mentioned invention, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured from the gas medium that is used for flow rate measurement and monitoring at the time of installation, and the medium type is compared and determined by the medium determination means from the propagation time. The gas type used by the house is examined, the specified gas type signal is input to the cutoff value setting means, and the cutoff value setting means sets various cutoff values corresponding to the gas type in the abnormality determination means, thereby allowing gas distributors, etc. It is possible to set the optimal gas cutoff value for the gas type used by the customer without erroneously setting the cutoff value by mistake, and that the general user who uses the equipment can use the gas safely, It is extremely effective in improving the operability and safety of setting gas types, various cutoff values, etc.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to set an optimal gas cutoff value for a gas type used by a consumer without erroneously setting a cutoff value by a gas dealer or the like, It has the effect of improving the operability and safety of the gas type selection, various cutoff values, etc., so that the general user can safely use the gas.

  The first embodiment of the present invention includes an upstream vibrator installed on the upstream side of a pipe, a downstream vibrator installed on the downstream side of the pipe, and the upstream vibrator and the downstream vibrator. Transmission means and reception means for transmitting / receiving ultrasonic waves, switching means for switching the transmission / reception direction of ultrasonic waves, propagation time measuring means for obtaining the propagation time of ultrasonic waves in each direction switched by the switching means, and the propagation time Flow rate calculation means for calculating a flow rate from the propagation time obtained by the measurement means, abnormality determination means for determining abnormal use of gas, cutoff value storage means for storing various cutoff values for abnormality determination, and various gas media Propagation time storage means for storing the propagation time data of ultrasonic waves in the inside, the propagation time obtained by the propagation time measurement means, and the type of gas used is determined from the propagation time data stored in the propagation time storage means Medium determining means, and having a cutoff value setting means for setting various cutoff values according to the type of gas used automatically determined by the medium determining means when the gas cutoff device is installed. .

  Then, the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal is measured from the gas medium that is used for flow rate measurement and monitoring at the time of installation, and the medium type is compared and specified by the medium determination means from the propagation time and used by the customer. Check the gas type, input the specified gas type signal to the cutoff value setting means, and the cutoff value setting means set various cutoff values corresponding to the gas type in the abnormality judgment means, so that the gas dealer etc. shuts off accidentally It is possible to set the optimum gas cutoff value for the gas type used by the customer without erroneously setting the value, and it is extremely possible to select the gas type so that general users who use the equipment can use the gas safely. It has the effect of improving the operability and safety of setting various cutoff values.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

Example 1
FIG. 1 shows a gas shut-off device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 9 denotes a medium physical quantity detection means, which is installed in a measurement channel such as city gas or LPG and detects a physical quantity of a used gas medium. In this case, the physical quantity is obtained by measuring the speed of sound in the gas medium used using an ultrasonic signal or the like, or detecting the vibration frequency of the fluid using a fluidic element or the like. Reference numeral 10 denotes a flow rate calculation means, which calculates and calculates the amount of medium used, that is, the gas flow rate, etc., from the physical quantity measured by the medium physical quantity detection means 9. Reference numeral 11 denotes an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not the gas usage obtained by the flow rate calculation unit 10 is in an abnormal usage state. For example, the total flow cut-off value for monitoring the large flow rate that occurs when the hose that supplies gas to the appliance used, such as a stove, is disconnected, or when it is used for a much longer time than the maximum normal use time of the appliance A usage time cut-off table that defines the usage time limit is stored, and it is monitored whether there is an abnormal state corresponding to it. Reference numeral 12 denotes a shut-off means, which outputs a shut-off signal when it is judged abnormal from the abnormality judging means 11 and shuts off the gas flow path.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes a medium determining means for determining the gas type of the medium used based on the output signal of the medium physical quantity detecting means 9. For example, physical quantities (for example, sound speed or signal propagation speed) of each component state of various city gases such as LPG gas or 6C, 13A are stored as data and detected by the medium physical quantity detection means 9 Identify the corresponding gas type from the physical quantity. For example, the ultrasonic velocity is used as the physical quantity to store the sound velocity value in the flow path, and the gas type in the medium can be identified from the measured physical quantity, for example, from the acoustic velocity. Reference numeral 14 denotes a cutoff value setting means. When the type of gas used is specified by the medium determination means 13, a cutoff value corresponding to the gas type is set in the abnormality determination means 11.

  Thereafter, the abnormality determination means 11 compares and determines various cutoff set values from the cutoff value setting means 14 and the flow rate signal value set by the flow rate calculation means 10, and if it exceeds the cutoff determination value, it determines that it is abnormally used and the cutoff means 12 To shut off the gas flow path. Reference numeral 15 denotes a notification means, which, when blocked by the abnormal means 11, notifies the gas user or the gas sales company via a telephone line or the like.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the gas shut-off device is installed, various shut-off values are set as initial values for flow rate measurement and safety monitoring. For example, if the components are different even in the same city gas, the amount of combustion of the appliance also changes. Accordingly, the gas type is confirmed at the time of setting, and if the initial value does not match the cutoff value of the gas type, various cutoff values corresponding to the next detected gas type are set. The following is performed.

  The medium physical quantity detection means 9 is installed in the gas used pipe, and detects the physical quantity of the gas medium used, for example, the physical quantity such as the sound speed and the propagation speed, periodically or continuously for a predetermined period. For example, the sound velocity at a predetermined temperature is detected as 450 m / s for 13 A city gas and 280 m / s for LPG gas. When the physical quantity is detected by the physical quantity detection means 9, the flow quantity calculation means 10 converts the physical quantity such as the sound speed to obtain the flow rate.

  At the time of installation, the physical quantity such as the sound speed of the medium used is obtained. The physical quantity obtained from the medium physical quantity detection unit 9 is input to the medium determination unit 22. The medium determination unit 13 searches for a gas type indicating the physical quantity closest to the measured physical quantity. As a result, the obtained gas type is output to the cutoff value setting means 14. Based on the obtained gas type, the cutoff value setting means 14 determines various cutoff values of the corresponding gas type in the cutoff value storage means 23, the total flow rate cutoff or the increased flow rate cutoff value, the use time cutoff time limit, etc. 11 is set as a judgment value. When the abnormality determining means 11 is set, the cutoff value setting state is released, and the monitoring state when the gas is used is set (a state where a general consumer can use it).

  This makes it possible to automatically determine the type of gas used and set a corresponding cutoff value when installing the gas cutoff device. After this, the flow rate of the gas used and various safety monitoring are performed. The flow rate value converted by the flow rate calculation means 10 is compared with the cutoff value set in the abnormality determination means 11, and when there is an abnormality, the cutoff means 12 is driven to stop the gas supply.

  In this way, when the gas shut-off device is installed, the gas type can be automatically identified and the shut-off value can be set, so that a human may mistakenly set the shut-off value corresponding to the gas type and monitor the gas usage status abnormally. Disappear. For example, LPG is large compared with the amount of heat of 13A of city gas. If the cutoff value such as the maximum flow rate is too large by mistake, it is dangerous when the gas medium leaks due to disconnection of the hose, etc. Safety is improved due to automatic determination.

(Example 2)
FIG. 2 shows a gas cutoff device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. 2, components having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In FIG. 2, 16 is a setting means for re-setting the cutoff value suitable for the used gas by re-identifying the gas type when the gas cutoff device is replaced and installed or moved to another gas type usage area. Is output to the medium determination unit 13 by a communication unit such as a message.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the gas shut-off device is replaced or moved, various shut-off values for the flow rate measurement and safety monitoring are set at the previous installation location. For example, even in the same city gas, the components are different between 6C and 13A, the amount of burning of the appliance also changes, and it is necessary to change the monitoring cutoff level.

  When the gas company installs the gas shut-off device, the operator instructs the medium determination setting by the setting means 16. For example, the setting means 16 transmits it to the medium determination means 13 when an instruction is inputted by electronic message. When the medium determination unit 13 receives the telegram signal from the setting unit 16, the gas cutoff device enters a medium determination and cutoff value setting state such as a gas type and enters the setting mode instead of the abnormality monitoring mode. The following is performed.

  The medium physical quantity detection means 9 is installed in the gas used pipe, and detects the physical quantity of the gas medium used, for example, the physical quantity such as the sound speed and the propagation speed, periodically or continuously for a predetermined period. For example, the sound velocity at a predetermined temperature is detected as 450 m / s for city gas 13A and 280 m / s for LPG gas. When the physical quantity is detected by the physical quantity detection means 9, the flow quantity calculation means 10 converts the physical quantity such as the sonic speed to obtain the flow rate.

  At the time of installation, the physical quantity such as the sound speed of the medium used is obtained. The physical quantity obtained from the medium physical quantity detection unit 9 is input to the medium determination unit 22. The medium determination unit 13 searches for a gas type indicating the physical quantity closest to the measured physical quantity. As a result, the obtained gas type is output to the cutoff value setting means 14. Based on the obtained gas type, the cutoff value setting means 14 determines various cutoff values of the corresponding gas type in the cutoff value storage means 23, the total flow rate cutoff or the increased flow rate cutoff value, the use time cutoff time limit, etc. 11 is set as a judgment value. When the abnormality determination means 11 is set, the cutoff value setting state is released, and the monitoring state when the gas is used is set (a state where a general consumer can use it).

  This makes it possible to automatically determine the type of gas used and set a corresponding cutoff value when installing the gas cutoff device. After this, the flow rate of the gas used and various safety monitoring are performed. The flow rate value converted by the flow rate calculation means 10 is compared with the cutoff value set in the abnormality determination means 11, and when there is an abnormality, the cutoff means 12 is driven to stop the gas supply.

  In this way, when the gas shut-off device is installed, the gas type can be automatically identified and the shut-off value can be set, so that a human may mistakenly set the shut-off value corresponding to the gas type and monitor the gas usage status abnormally. Disappear. There are various gas types in the market, and when installing a gas shut-off device as a gas company, it is necessary to accurately grasp the gas type and set a shut-off value. Even after using a gas type with a small amount of combustion after the start of use, there is no erroneous operation of setting the gas cutoff judgment value too large, thereby improving safety.

(Example 3)
FIG. 3 shows a gas shut-off device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 3, components having the same functions as those in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 17 denotes a sound speed measuring means, which measures the sound speed at which a signal propagates through the medium by one method of the medium physical quantity detecting means 9. The sound velocity measuring means 17 includes an upstream vibrator 3 provided on the upstream side of the pipe 1, a downstream vibrator 2 installed on the downstream side of the pipe 1, a switching means 18, a transmitting means 19, and a receiving means 20. The transmission time measuring means 21 is comprised. The sound speed measuring means 9 is composed of an element that can output or receive an ultrasonic signal. The transmission means 19 and the reception means 20 are connected to the switching means 18, and the switching means 18 alternately connects the transmission means 19 and the reception means 20 to the upstream vibrator 3 or the downstream vibrator 2 . The propagation time measurement means 21 connects the reception means 20 to the upstream vibrator 3 by the switching means 18 (connects the transmission means 19 to the downstream vibrator 2 ), and then receives the signal propagation time and the downstream by the switching means 18. The receiving means 20 is connected to the side vibrator 2 (the sending means 19 is connected to the upstream vibrator 3 ), and the signal propagation time difference is obtained from the received signal propagation time.

  A propagation time storage means 22 stores the propagation time of ultrasonic signals in various gas media. For example, propagation time data in the component state of various city gases such as LPG gas or 6C, 13A is stored. Reference numeral 23 denotes cutoff value storage means for storing various cutoff value data corresponding to each gas type, for example, as table data. For example, a total flow rate cutoff value for detecting a large flow rate such as hose disconnection and determining an abnormality, a usage time cutoff table that defines a usage time limit from the maximum usage time of the appliance, and the like are stored.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the gas shut-off device is installed, various shut-off values are set as initial values for flow rate measurement and safety monitoring. For example, if the components are different even in the same city gas, the amount of combustion of the appliance also changes. Accordingly, the determination of the gas type at the time of setting is performed, and if the initial value does not match the cutoff value of the gas type, various cutoff values corresponding to the next detected gas type are set. The following is performed.

Within the pipe 1, the sound velocity measuring means 17 is attached so that the upstream vibrator 3 and the downstream vibrator 2 face each other. First, the receiving means 20 connected to the upstream vibrator 3 by the switching means 18 receives the ultrasonic signal emitted from the transmitting means 19 via the downstream vibrator 2 . The propagation time measurement means 21 obtains the propagation time of the signal from the start of transmission to reception. Next, the switching means 18 receives the ultrasonic signal emitted from the transmission means 19 by the receiving means 20 connected to the downstream vibrator 2 via the upstream vibrator 3 . Similarly, the propagation time measuring means 21 obtains the propagation time of a signal from the start of transmission to reception. When the ultrasonic signals are received from the mutually facing transducers 2 and 3, the propagation time measuring means 21 calculates the propagation time difference and outputs the obtained propagation time to the medium determining means 13. The medium determination unit 13 compares and determines the input propagation time and the propagation times of various media, that is, gas types, stored in the propagation time storage unit 22, and identifies the gas type. When specified, the medium determination means 13 outputs the gas type to the cutoff value setting means 14. Based on the obtained gas type, the cut-off value setting means 14 determines various cut-off values of the corresponding gas type from the cut-off value storage means 23, a total flow cut-off value, an increased flow cut-off value, a use time cut-off time limit, and the like. 11 is set as a judgment value.

  When the abnormality determining means 11 is set, the setting mode is released and the gas is used for monitoring (a state where a general consumer can use it). Usually, for example, city gas such as 13A has a sound speed of 450 m / s, while LPG gas has a speed of 280 m / s, and city gas has a higher sound speed and a shorter propagation time.

Thus, after installing a gas shut-off device, automatically determining the type of gas used and setting the corresponding shut-off value, the flow rate of the used gas amount and various safety monitoring are performed. The sound speed measuring means 17 measures the sound speed (in this case, the propagation time is measured to obtain the sound speed), the flow rate is converted from the obtained propagation time, and the flow rate value obtained and the interruption set in the abnormality determining means 11 are determined. When the value is compared with the abnormal value, the shutoff means 12 is driven to stop the gas supply.

The sound speed measuring means 17 of the embodiment is a case where the switching means 18 is used to measure the propagation time by alternately switching the transmitting means 19 and the receiving means 20 connected to the upstream vibrator 3 , the downstream vibrator 2. There is also a system in which the upstream vibrator 3 and the downstream vibrator 2 each have a transmission unit 19 and a reception unit 20 and are connected. That is, when one is a transmission means, the other is connected to a reception means, and when measurement is completed, the reception means 20 and transmission means 19 connected to the upstream vibrator 3 and the downstream vibrator 2 are switched to detect the flow rate. The present invention is the same as above (sound speed measuring means is not shown).

  In this way, it is possible to automatically determine the type of gas used and set the corresponding cutoff value when installing the gas shut-off device, etc. The gas type is not set and an abnormal cutoff value is not set.

  There are various gas types in the market, and when installing a gas shut-off device as a gas company, it is necessary to accurately grasp the gas type and set a shut-off value. Even after using a gas type with a small amount of combustion after the start of use, there is no erroneous operation of setting the gas cutoff judgment value too large, thereby improving safety.

FIG. 1 is a control block diagram of the gas cutoff device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of a gas shut-off device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Control block diagram of gas cutoff device of embodiment 3 of the present invention Block diagram of a conventional gas shut-off device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 9 Medium physical quantity detection means 10 Flow volume calculation means 11 Abnormality determination means 12 Blocking means 13 Medium determination means 14 Cutoff value setting means 16 Setting means 17 Sound speed measurement means

Claims (1)

An upstream vibrator installed on the upstream side of the pipe, a downstream vibrator installed on the downstream side of the pipe, and transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves between the upstream vibrator and the downstream vibrator A switching means for switching the transmission / reception direction of the ultrasonic waves, a propagation time measuring means for obtaining the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave in each direction switched by the switching means, and a flow rate from the propagation time obtained by the propagation time measuring means. Flow rate calculation means for calculating, abnormality determination means for determining abnormal use of gas, cutoff value storage means for storing various cutoff values for abnormality determination, and ultrasonic propagation time data in various gas media are stored. Propagation time storage means, and a medium determination means for identifying the gas used from the propagation time obtained by the propagation time measurement means and the propagation time data stored in the propagation time storage means,
A gas shut-off device having shut-off value setting means for setting various shut-off values in accordance with the type of gas used automatically determined by the medium judging means when the gas shut-off device is installed.

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