JP4581879B2 - Flow velocity or flow rate measuring device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a flow velocity or flow rate measuring apparatus that measures the flow rate of gas or liquid using ultrasonic waves using a vibrator and the like, and also estimates the flow rate of an instrument that is connected to the flow path. It is related with the method of discriminating by doing.

  As a conventional discriminating device, there is one built in a gas meter, and an instrument is estimated by performing various calculations (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a general gas pipe. In FIG. 8, 1 is a gas appliance discriminating device, 2 is a gas meter, 3 is a gas pipe, and 4 is a gas appliance. A block diagram of the gas appliance discrimination device is shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 9, 5 is a flow rate measuring device that generates a signal according to the amount of gas passing through the gas meter, and 6 is a flow rate signal sent from the flow rate measuring device to calculate the change flow rate of the gas meter passing gas amount. Individual gas appliance flow rate calculation means 8 for separating into gas amounts, 8 is a sensor means for obtaining an input signal other than the change flow rate. For example, it comprises five types of detection means 81, 82, 83, 84 and 85. Reference numeral 81 denotes an air temperature detecting means which is attached to the main body of the gas meter and constantly detects the current outside air temperature. 82 is a calendar detection means equipped with a time measuring mechanism that can always obtain current season information. 83, 84, 85 are also connected to the individual gas appliance flow rate calculation means 6.

  Reference numeral 83 denotes a use start time detecting means having a mechanism for measuring and storing time information when each gas appliance starts to be used. Reference numeral 84 denotes maximum flow rate duration detection means for measuring the duration of the maximum gas flow rate of each gas appliance, and measures and stores the time during which the maximum gas amount is used (peak hold). 85 is a flow rate change recognizing means for sampling the time change of the flow rate pattern at the time of ignition or combustion for each individual gas appliance, and captures the transient phenomenon of the flow rate consumption pattern unique to each appliance. Reference numeral 9 denotes composite calculation means for discriminating the gas appliance used by combining the information obtained from the individual gas appliance flow rate calculation means 6 and the sensor means 8. This gas appliance discriminating device is built in the gas meter 2 and connected to each gas appliance 4 only through the gas pipe 3.

With this configuration, the composite calculation means 9 is information obtained from the individual gas appliance flow rate calculation means 6, the temperature detection means 81, the calendar detection means 82, the use start time detection means 83, the maximum flow rate duration detection means 84, and the flow rate change recognition means 85. Fuzzy reasoning is adopted to discriminate the types of gas appliances by combining them. Then, a membership function used in the antecedent part is created based on information obtained from each detecting means, and a membership function used in the consequent part is also created. A tool is discriminated by assembling a plurality of rules inferred based on these functions. For example, if the result of the calculation does not make it look like a heater or if it looks like a cooker, it can be said that the corresponding gas appliance can be regarded as a heater or a cooker. Detailed explanation of how to assemble membership functions and rules is omitted.
JP-A-3-236513 (Page 2, Fig. 1)

  However, the conventional gas appliance discriminating apparatus requires a plurality of sensors, and more complicated inference calculation needs to be performed inside the meter. In addition, even complex calculations can be used for inference. In addition, since the power supply capacity is limited inside the meter, large-scale and long-time calculations are difficult.

  In addition, downstream appliances are often equipped with a microcomputer and are controlled independently, and the amount of gas is adjusted so that the appliance operates in an optimal state. For example, in a gas water heater, this adjustment range changes with a very large flow rate width, so it is difficult to separate it from the flow rate changes of other devices.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and a communication means is provided in an instrument that uses a large amount of gas or has a wide gas adjustment range, such as a gas water heater, and sends usage information of the instrument to a flow rate measuring device. The purpose of this is to make it possible to estimate the amount of equipment used, and to make it easy to make inferences about other equipment in a way that does not cause power capacity problems without providing a means or program for performing large-scale calculations and estimation. It is said.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the flow velocity or flow rate measuring device of the present invention is provided with a communication means for an instrument that uses a large amount of fluid to be measured among a plurality of instruments installed on the downstream side. The setting state and the operation state are transmitted, and the flow rate of the instrument provided with the communication unit is estimated by determining together with the flow rate information obtained from the information of the fluid measurement unit.

  The flow velocity or flow rate measuring apparatus of the present invention temporarily stores information on the flow velocity or flow rate in the storage means, and obtains the information of the instrument from the communication means provided in the downstream instrument, thereby using the amount of fluid to be measured of the instrument. Is estimated.

This makes it possible to estimate the amount of fluid used by the communication information from the information of the fluid measurement means and the device even if the device performs complicated control.

  In addition, high-performance computing means required when there is no information about the instrument, and a large-scale power source can be removed to operate it, realizing a compact and prioritized instrument, and highly accurate instrument discrimination Can be realized.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid measurement unit that measures a flow velocity or a flow rate arranged in a flow path through which a fluid to be measured flows, a first communication unit that communicates with the outside, the fluid measurement unit, and the first communication unit. Control means for controlling, an instrument that uses a large amount of fluid to be measured installed downstream of the fluid measurement means, and second communication means for communicating information about the instrument with the first communication means The control means includes a fluid information storage means for storing at least one of a flow rate value and time information measured by the fluid measurement means as storage information, and a first communication means provided outside the first communication means for exchanging signals. It is a flow velocity or flow rate measuring device which has a usage amount estimation means which estimates the usage amount of the fluid under measurement of the said instrument based on the information of 2 communication means.

  Then, the flow rate or flow rate information is temporarily stored in the storage means, and complicated control is performed by estimating the amount of fluid to be measured of the instrument by obtaining the instrument information from the communication means provided in the downstream instrument. Even if it is an instrument which performs, the fluid usage amount can be estimated with higher accuracy from the information of the fluid measuring means and the communication information from the instrument.

  For this reason, it is possible to remove the high-performance computing means required when there is no information on the instrument and the large-scale power supply to operate it, realizing a compact and prioritized instrument, and a highly accurate instrument Discrimination can be realized.

In the second invention, in particular, the information sent from the second communication means of the first invention is the actuator operation information inside the instrument. For example, in the case of an instrument having a valve, a fan motor, etc., the information is second. By sending it to the usage amount estimation means via the communication means, it is possible to estimate the usage amount of the fluid to be measured of the instrument with higher accuracy.

  According to the third aspect of the invention, the information sent from the second communication means of the first aspect of the invention is the operation setting information of the appliance. For example, in a water heater or the like, information such as the set temperature and the hot water flow rate is the second communication means. By sending it to the usage amount estimation means, it becomes easy to estimate the combustion amount and the like, and it is possible to estimate the usage amount of the fluid to be measured of the instrument with higher accuracy.

  In the fourth aspect of the invention, the information sent from the second communication means of the first aspect of the invention is the operation information of the appliance. For example, in a water heater or the like, the second information such as floor heating, hot water hot water, additional cooking is provided. By sending it to the usage amount estimation means via the communication means, it becomes easy to identify the burner being used, and it is also possible to estimate the usage amount of the fluid to be measured that is supplied from that information, making it more accurate. It is possible to estimate the amount of fluid to be measured.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the information sent from the second communication means of the first aspect of the invention is the fluid information estimated from at least one of the actuator operation information, the operation setting information, and the operation information of the appliance. By sending the estimated flow rate of the fluid to be measured, the calculation of the usage amount estimating means can be reduced, and more accurate estimation is possible by sending the flow rate estimated by the instrument body.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first aspect to the fifth aspect of the invention, the downstream-side instrument is identified using the differential flow rate before and after the flow rate measurement for each specific time interval, and the instrument-specific flow measurement means Is configured to calculate the flow rate for each instrument using the differential flow rate or the measured flow rate value, thereby making it possible to individually estimate the flow rate of the instrument connected to the downstream side of the flow rate measurement means. It becomes easy to add setting services.

  According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the appliance connected to the downstream side of the flow rate measuring means in the first aspect is a gas water heater, which consumes a large amount of gas and has process control to reduce the amount of gas used. For those that are difficult to estimate, by providing the second communication means, it is possible to reduce the calculation of the usage amount estimation means and to estimate the usage amount with high accuracy by communicating various internal states.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, the flow rate measuring means according to any one of the first to seventh aspects of the present invention is configured by an ultrasonic flow meter so that the flow rate can be measured at high speed and at a constant time interval. Since the instantaneous flow rate can also be measured from time to time, it is possible to easily collect information for estimating the flow rate used by the downstream equipment.

  The ninth invention has a program for causing a computer to function as the control means in any one of the first invention to the eighth invention, and the operation method of the measuring method and the communication means can thereby be set. Therefore, the change can be easily performed, and it is possible to flexibly cope with the secular change and the like, so that the measurement accuracy can be improved more flexibly, the amount of fluid to be measured of the instrument can be estimated, and the determination rate of the instrument discrimination can be improved.

(Embodiment 1)
The flow velocity or flow rate measuring device of the present invention relating to Embodiment 1 will be described. The explanation of the flow velocity or flow rate measuring apparatus uses a measuring method using ultrasonic waves, but is not limited to this method.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a flow velocity or flow rate measuring apparatus showing the configuration of the first embodiment. FIG.
2 is a gas meter, 3 is a gas pipe, and 4 is a gas appliance. The gas meter 2 includes a fluid measuring unit 11 that measures the fluid velocity or flow rate, a first communication unit 12 that communicates with the outside, and a control unit 13 that controls the first communication unit 12. . Further, the gas appliance 4 installed downstream of the gas meter 2 is provided with second communication means 14 for communicating information of the gas appliance 4. Further, the control means 13 includes a fluid information storage means 15 for storing at least one of a flow rate value and time information measured by the fluid measurement means 11 as storage information, and an external device for exchanging signals with the first communication means. Usage amount estimation means 16 for estimating the usage amount of the fluid under measurement of the instrument based on the information of the second communication means provided is provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the operation of the fluid measuring means 11. A flow path 3 through which a fluid to be measured, here a gas flows, and a first vibrator 32 and a second vibrator 33 that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves arranged in the flow path 3 are installed, and the first vibrator Transmission means 34 for driving 32, reception means 35 for receiving a reception signal of the second vibrator 33 and determining reception timing, the transmission means 34, the first vibrator 32, and the second vibrator 33. Switching means 36 is provided between the first vibrator 32 and the second vibrator 33, and the flow rate calculating means 41 is a receiving means. The repeater 37 that receives the output of 35 and repeats transmission / reception of the ultrasonic wave again through the transmitter 34 and stops the operation at a predetermined number of times, and receives a signal from the repeater 37 and delays by a predetermined delay time. The trigger signal of the transmission means 34 A delay means 38 that outputs as a signal, a time measuring means 39 that measures at least the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave from the start of driving of the first vibrator 32 by the transmission means 34 to the stop of the operation of the repeating means 37, and the time measuring means 39 And a calculating means 40 for calculating the flow velocity between the pair of vibrators from the value and obtaining the flow rate therefrom.

  Further, a measurement control means 42 is provided, and a measurement start signal for operating the transmission means 34 is output. Furthermore, a power supply 43 for supplying power, a booster 44 for driving a load having a higher voltage than the power supply, and a power supply controller 45 for controlling the power supply 43 and the booster 44 are provided.

  Also, a control unit 13 for controlling the first communication unit 12, a fluid information storage unit 15 for storing information and set values of the flow rate calculation unit 41, and an external device for exchanging signals with the first communication unit. Use amount estimating means 16 for estimating the amount of fluid to be measured of the instrument based on the information of the second communication means.

  A normal flow rate or flow rate measurement operation will be described. Upon receiving the start signal from the measurement control means 42, the transmission means 34 pulse-drives the first vibrator 32 for a certain period of time, and at the same time, the time measurement means 39 starts measuring time according to the signal from the measurement control means 41. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the pulse-driven first vibrator 32. The ultrasonic wave transmitted from the first vibrator 32 propagates through the fluid to be measured and is received by the second vibrator 33. The reception output of the second vibrator 33 amplifies the signal by the receiving means 35 and then determines the reception of the ultrasonic wave at the signal level at a predetermined reception timing. When the repeated operation is not performed, the operation of the time measuring means 39 is stopped when the reception of the ultrasonic wave is determined, and the flow velocity is obtained from the time information t by (Equation 1).

(The measurement time obtained from the time measuring means 39 is t, the effective distance in the flow direction between the ultrasonic transducers is L, the sound velocity is c, and the flow velocity of the fluid to be measured is v.)
v = (L / t) -c (Formula 1)
The receiving means 35 is usually configured to compare the reference voltage and the received signal by a comparator.

In the current operation using the repeating unit 37, the determination result of the receiving unit 35 is delayed by a delay unit 38 for a certain period of time, then returned to the transmitting unit 34 and transmitted again. The repetitive operation is performed a predetermined number of times, the time is measured by the time measuring means 39, and the flow velocity is obtained by the calculation of (Equation 2) based on the measurement time of the time measuring means 39.

(The delay time of the delay means is Td, the number of repetitions is n, the measurement time is ts, the effective distance in the flow direction between the ultrasonic transducers is L, the speed of sound is c, and the flow velocity of the fluid to be measured is v.)
v = L / (ts / n-Td) -c (Formula 2)
According to this method, it is possible to measure with higher accuracy than the method of (Equation 1).

  Further, the first ultrasonic transducer 32 and the second ultrasonic transducer 33 are switched, and the respective propagation times of the fluid under measurement from upstream to downstream and from downstream to upstream are measured. Find v.

(Measurement time from upstream to downstream is t1, and measurement time from downstream to upstream is t2.)
v = L / 2 ((1 / t1)-(1 / t2)) (Formula 3)
According to this method, the flow rate can be measured without being affected by the change in the sound speed, and thus it is widely used for measuring the flow velocity, the flow rate, the distance, and the like. When the flow velocity v is obtained, the flow rate can be derived by multiplying it by the cross-sectional area of the flow path 1.

  Normal operation is as shown in the timing diagram of FIG. That is, measurement is started from the start signal at time t0 by the measurement control means 42, and the first ultrasonic transducer 32 is driven via the transmission means 34 at t1. The ultrasonic signal generated there propagates in the flow path, reaches the second ultrasonic transducer 33 at time t2, and when the reception means detects the reception point, the repeat means 37 does not reach the set number of times. A signal is sent to the means 38. Then, the delay means 38 starts operating from time t3, operates for a predetermined time, and then sends a signal to the transmitting means 34 at time t4 to drive the first ultrasonic transducer 32 again. This is repeated below.

  When the number of times determined by the repeating means 37 is operated, the transmission / reception operation stops at time t5 in FIG. 2, and the time is T shown in the figure. Thereafter, the switching means 36 switches between transmission and reception. That is, the first ultrasonic transducer 32 is the reception side, and the second ultrasonic transducer 33 is the transmission side. Then, the same repeated operation is performed.

  Although the flow velocity and the flow rate can be obtained in this way, it is not possible to know what the instrument is used on the downstream side from the output signal of the fluid measuring means 11 alone. In particular, a gas water heater or the like using advanced process control while consuming a large amount of gas has a large flow rate change range, and the flow rate is adjusted by finely controlling the sampling time. Then I can not grasp the information. In addition, frequent communication increases power consumption and makes long-term continuous use difficult. Therefore, a method of not burdening the power supply while communicating data for appliance discrimination will be described.

  Of the appliances 4 connected to the downstream side of the fluid measuring means 11, a gas water heater 4a will be particularly described as a block diagram in FIG. The gas water heater 4a includes a gas pipe 3 and a gas valve 51 into which gas as fuel flows, a combustion burner 52, a fan motor 53 for supplying air, a water pipe 54 for supplying water, a water valve 55, a water temperature detecting means 56, heat It consists of an exchanger 57, a hot water pipe 58, and a hot water temperature detection means 59, and has a hot water supply control means 60 for controlling the gas valve 51, the fan motor 53, the water valve 55, and the like. The hot water supply control means 60 is connected to the second communication means 14 that communicates with the first communication means 12. In addition, a hot water remote controller 61 may be installed.

When the flow rate flows, a signal is input from the flow rate calculation means 41 to the control means 13, and the control means 13 stores the flow rate information in the fluid information storage means 15. When the information stored every sampling or every certain time reaches a certain amount, the control means 13 communicates with the second communication means 14 to collect external instrument data via the first communication means 12. The second communication means 14 having information on the instrument installed outside receiving the signal from the first communication means 12 returns the instrument data corresponding to the transmitted signal to the first communication means 12. In this case, there is no problem even if the first communication is performed from the second communication means 14.

  In addition, the flow velocity or flow rate measurement device using ultrasonic waves described in this embodiment does not measure the volume as in the conventional membrane measurement, but detects the instantaneous flow velocity, so the flow velocity Can be measured in the time specified by the sampling time. In general, the sampling time is set in units of seconds depending on the usage time of the power capacity installed in the meter. However, in some cases, sampling in seconds or less is also possible in principle. This method makes it easy to identify changes in flow velocity and rise in flow rate. In addition, since instantaneous flow rate can be measured from time to time at regular time intervals, it is possible to easily collect information for estimating the usage flow rate of downstream equipment.

  Further, information on the flow velocity or flow rate of the fluid flowing in the flow path is temporarily stored in the fluid information storage means 15 and compared with the information of the instrument 4 sent from the outside via the first communication means 12 in a lump. By estimating the amount of gas used by the instrument 4, even if the instrument performs complicated control, the fluid usage can be estimated with higher accuracy from the information of the fluid measuring means 11 and the communication information from the instrument 4. Become. For this reason, it is possible to remove the high-performance computing means required when there is no information on the instrument and the large-scale power supply to operate it, realizing a compact and prioritized instrument, and a highly accurate instrument Discrimination can be realized.

  In particular, the appliance 4 connected to the downstream side is the gas water heater 4a, and even if it is difficult to estimate the amount of gas used by consuming a large amount of gas and having process control, the second communication means 14 is provided. By communicating the various internal states, the calculation of the usage amount estimation means 16 can be reduced and the usage amount can be estimated with high accuracy.

  The usage amount estimation means 16 estimates the usage flow rate of the instrument 4 by combining the information of the instrument 4 sent from the second communication means 14 and the information of the fluid information storage type 15 once accumulated from the flow rate measurement means 11. At this time, the flow rate of the appliance can be estimated from the amount of change in the flow rate, the time, and the total flow rate. For example, in a gas fan heater, if the total flow rate and a simple combustion control pattern are stored in a memory or the like, the amount of use can be estimated by comparing the information and the information obtained from the communication means with reference to the appliance. it can. When a plurality of appliances are used at the same time, the amount of gas used in the gas water heater is estimated from the information obtained from the second communication means, and the difference from the flow information obtained from the flow measurement means 11 is compared and examined. Then, it becomes possible to estimate the flow rate of another instrument.

  When the flow rate to be used is estimated, the instrument can be set in various ways as data, such as a rising change in the flow velocity of the fluid to be measured, an integrated flow rate, and a maximum flow rate.

  Moreover, it becomes easier to estimate the amount of use by sending the internal information of the gas water heater 4a from the second communication means 14. For example, if the opening degree of the gas valve 51 is known, the flow rate can be estimated, and if the rotational speed of the fan motor 53 that supplies air to the combustion burner 52 is known, the required gas amount can be estimated. In addition, if the opening degree of the water valve 55 of the water pipe 54 for supplying water is known, it can be estimated how much combustion is required, and the gas flow rate can also be understood to some extent. Furthermore, if the information of the hot water supply control means 60 for controlling the gas valve 51, the fan motor 53, the water valve 55, etc. is obtained as detailed information, it is possible to estimate the change in the gas amount with time.

FIG. 5 shows the gas amount of the gas water heater. It is assumed that ignition is performed at time a and stopped at d. The gas flow rate required for combustion is controlled with a very short sampling time due to changes in water temperature and water flow rate. For this reason, the gas amount fluctuates greatly as shown in the figure. Here, even if a gas appliance between the times b and c is used, if the gas fluctuation width is large, it is difficult to estimate the usage flow rate of the appliance. Even in such a case, if the state of the gas water heater is known by the second communication means 14, the amount of gas can be estimated to some extent, and the use state of other appliances can also be estimated. The usage flow rate pattern of the gas fan heater or the like is not used while repeating large fluctuations from time e to time g in FIG.

  Further, it is possible to estimate the amount of gas used by sending the operation setting information of the gas water heater 4a from the second communication means 14.

  For example, by sending information such as the set temperature of the water heater 4a and the hot water flow rate to the usage amount estimation means 16 via the second communication means, it is easy to estimate the combustion amount and the fluid to be measured of the instrument with higher accuracy. Can be estimated. Since the combustion amount can be estimated from the information of the water temperature detecting means 56 and the hot water temperature detecting means 59, the amount of gas used can be obtained.

  In addition, the usage amount estimation means 16 can estimate the gas usage amount by sending the operation information of the gas water heater 4 a from the second communication means 14.

  For example, if the operation of the water heater is in the floor heating mode, Flo hot water beam mode, or shower mode, it is easy to identify the burner used inside the water heater, and supply from that information It is easy to estimate the amount of gas used as the fluid to be measured.

  Information sent from the second communication means 14 includes actuator operation information of the gas water heater 4a, such as information on the gas valve 51 and the fan motor 53 for supplying air, operation setting information such as a set temperature, floor heating, Fluid information estimated inside the gas water heater 4a from at least one piece of operation information such as a shower may be sent. The gas water heater 4a does not normally have a means for measuring the gas flow rate, but the hot water supply control means 60 for controlling the gas valve 51, the fan motor 53, the water valve 55, etc. with the information set from the remote controller 61 controls the gas flow rate. It is possible to estimate.

  This information is sent from the second communication means 14 to the usage amount estimation means 16 via the first communication means 12 so that the usage flow rate of the gas water heater 4a is clear even when simultaneous use is performed. In addition, the calculation of the usage amount estimation means can be reduced, and more accurate estimation is possible by sending the flow rate estimated by the instrument body. Further, by obtaining the difference from the flow rate measuring means 11, it is possible to easily estimate the flow rate of use of other instruments.

  Although the gas water heater has been described as the instrument 4a, the present invention is not limited to this. Other appliances such as a heat pump and a fuel cell can be used for the complicated flow control, and the same flow rate estimation can be performed using the second communication means.

(Embodiment 2)
The flow velocity or flow rate measuring apparatus of the present invention relating to the second embodiment will be described. In contrast to the first embodiment, in addition to the usage amount estimation means 16, the control means 13 has an instrument discriminating means 62 and an instrument-specific flow rate measuring means 63 for calculating the fluid flow rate used by the instrument discriminated by the instrument discriminating means 62. That is. This will be described with reference to FIG.

The usage amount estimating means that obtains the operation information of the appliance 4, particularly the water heater 4 a from the second communication means 14, uses the difference flow rate of the output value of the flow rate measuring means 11 at a predetermined specific time interval to use the water heater 4 a. Identify other instruments. For example, when the water heater 4a and other gas appliances are operated from time b to time c in FIG. 5, the rise of the appliance can be captured by using the differential flow rate at regular intervals. Further, since the operation of the water heater is known by the second communication means 14, it can be easily determined whether the differential flow rate is that of the water heater or the other. When the flow rate other than the water heater 4a is detected in this way, the appliance discriminating means 62 determines what is being used based on information such as the flow rate change amount, the absolute value of the change amount, the inclination, and the usage time. Then, the used flow rate is integrated by the flow rate measuring means 63 for each appliance determined. This information can be used for price setting and various services for each appliance to be used, and it is possible to propose useful usage for gas suppliers and users.

(Embodiment 3)
A flow velocity or flow rate measuring apparatus of the present invention relating to Embodiment 3 will be described. The difference from the first embodiment is that a storage medium 65 having a program for causing a computer to function to ensure the operation of the first communication means and the control means 13 for collecting measurements is used.

  In order to perform the operation of the control means 13 shown in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 in FIG. 2, the time until the communication state is established in advance through experiments or the like, transmission output change, secular change, temperature change, Correlation such as operation timing is obtained with respect to the stability of the system, and software is stored in the storage medium 65 as a program. Further, the timing for storing in the flow rate information storage means 15 can be stored in the storage medium 65 as software that can flexibly cope with it. Usually, it is convenient to use an electrically writable memory such as a microcomputer memory or a flash memory.

  As described above, when the operation of the control means 13 can be performed by a program, it is possible to easily set and change transmission / reception conditions in communication, and it is possible to flexibly cope with secular change and the like, so that it is possible to more flexibly determine the device. The accuracy of communication content quality can be improved. In the present embodiment, operations other than the control means 13 may be performed by a program using a microcomputer or the like.

  In addition, it has a configuration that has a program for causing a computer to function as a control means, which makes it easy to set and change the operation of measurement methods and communication means, and to respond flexibly to secular changes, etc. In addition, it is possible to improve the accuracy of measurement and the determination rate of instrument discrimination.

  The flow velocity or flow rate measuring device of the present invention once stores the flow rate information in the fluid storage means, and then obtains information on the instrument from the second communication means installed on the downstream instrument via the first communication means. This is to estimate the flow rate of the instrument itself.

This makes it possible to more accurately estimate the amount of fluid used by a device that performs complicated control from the information of the fluid measurement means and the communication information from the device.
For this reason, it is possible to remove the high-performance computing means required when there is no information on the instrument and the large-scale power supply to operate it, realizing a compact and prioritized instrument, and a highly accurate instrument Discrimination can be realized.

Overall block diagram of the flow velocity or flow rate measuring device of the present invention Block diagram of the same flow rate or flow rate measuring device (A) Timing diagram showing the operation of the measurement control means in the measuring device (b) Timing diagram showing the operation of the transmitted wave in the measuring device (c) Timing diagram showing the operation of the received wave in the measuring device (d) Timing chart showing operation of delay means in measuring device Block diagram of a water heater in the same measuring device Timing chart showing flow rate change in the same measuring device Block diagram showing connections around the control means Overall block diagram of a conventional instrument discrimination device Block diagram of a conventional instrument discrimination device

Explanation of symbols

2 Gas meter 3 Flow path 4 Appliance 4a Gas water heater 11 Fluid control means 12 First communication means 13 Control means 14 Second communication means 15 Fluid information storage means 16 Usage amount estimation means 32 First vibrator 33 Second Vibrator 34 Transmitting means 35 Receiving means 41 Flow rate calculating means 43 Power supply 44 Boosting means 45 Power supply control means 48 Opening and closing means 51 Gas valve 52 Burner 53 Fan motor 54 Water pipe 55 Water valve 56 Water temperature detecting means 57 Heat exchanger 58 Hot water temperature detection Means 59 Hot water pipe 60 Second control means 61 Remote control 62 Instrument discriminating means 63 Instrument-specific flow rate measuring means 65 Storage medium

Claims (2)

Fluid measuring means for measuring the flow velocity or flow rate arranged in the flow path of the fluid to be measured;
1st communication which communicates with the 2nd communication means attached to the appliance which is any one of the water heater, heat pump, and fuel cell which use the fluid to be measured installed in the downstream of the fluid measurement means in large quantities Means,
Control means for controlling the fluid measurement means and the first communication means ;
Fluid information storage means for storing flow rate values and time information measured by the fluid measurement means as storage information;
Based on the storage information stored in the fluid information storage means and the information transmitted from the second communication means , the usage amount of the fluid under measurement of the instrument is estimated , and the flow rate value measured by the fluid measurement means Usage amount estimating means for subtracting the estimated usage amount of the appliance from to estimate the flow rate other than the appliance ;
An appliance discriminating means for discriminating an appliance that uses the used flow rate using a flow rate other than the appliance estimated by the usage amount estimating means,
A flow rate or flow rate measuring device comprising: 2. The flow velocity or flow rate measuring device according to claim 1 , wherein the flow rate measuring means comprises an ultrasonic flow meter.

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