JP6099142B2 - Gas meter - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention measures the continuous use time for each of a plurality of flow rate segments for gas, and shuts off the gas when the continuous use time exceeds a plurality of use time cutoff values set for each of the plurality of flow rate categories. The present invention relates to a gas meter having a function for shutting down a use time.

  Some gas meters periodically measure the flow rate of a gas flowing through a gas pipe connecting a gas supply source and a gas appliance with a flow sensor, and can instantaneously measure the current flow rate of the gas. In addition to the function of measuring the gas flow rate, the gas meter is provided with a security function called a use time cutoff function (for example, Patent Document 1).

  With this usage time cutoff function, the continuous usage time is measured for a used flow rate, specifically, a flow rate segmented for each predetermined flow range, and this continuous usage time is determined in advance. When the time limit (usage time cutoff value) is exceeded, the gas supply is stopped (shut down). In addition, the usage time cutoff value is set for each flow rate segment, and when the flow rate segment is switched to another flow rate segment according to the flow rate change, the continuous usage time is reset and then measurement is started again.

  In such a gas meter, a lower limit value and an upper limit value are set in advance for each of the flow rate segments for the usage time cutoff value. And the gas meter is set to use the upper limit value set for each flow rate segment (use time cutoff value upper limit fixed setting), for example, as the usage time cutoff value for each flow rate segment according to the installation environment and use environment, In order to prevent forgetting to turn off, a setting that uses a value equal to or lower than the lower limit value is set uniformly in a predetermined flow rate category (flow rate category 3 or higher, etc.) (fixed setting that is lower than the lower limit of use time cutoff value). In addition, for gas meters, for example, in order to support resort facilities and business facilities, the usage time cutoff function is disabled and the continuous usage time is set to unlimited in all flow categories on the condition that it interlocks with a gas leak alarm. (Also referred to as “extended 2 setting”).

JP 2013-40909 A

  However, in an environment where only a limited flow rate segment is continuously used, such as a household fuel cell cogeneration system that generates power using gas as fuel, in a flow rate segment other than such a flow rate segment, There was a request to improve safety by the shut-off function by continuous use time.

  The present invention aims to solve the above problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a gas meter that can further enhance safety.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a usage time cutoff value storage means in which a plurality of usage time cutoff values set for a plurality of flow rate categories for gas are stored, and the flow rate The continuous use time measuring means for measuring the continuous use time for each section, and the continuous use time measured by the continuous use time measuring means, and the use time cut-off set corresponding to the flow rate section of the continuous use time A gas meter including a gas shut-off device that shuts off the gas when a value is exceeded, and indicates that the gas shut-off by the shut-off device is requested to be invalidated in all of the plurality of flow rate categories. All invalid flag storage means for storing all invalid flags, and the gas shutoff by the shutoff means is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate categories. The individual setting flag storage means for storing a plurality of individual setting flags provided for each of the plurality of flow rate sections, and the shutoff of the gas by the shutoff means are invalid in all of the plurality of flow rate sections. When requested, the all invalid flag is set to “required”, and all the individual setting flags are all set to “invalid”. When there is a request to be “valid” for some of the plurality of flow rate categories, if the all invalid flag is set to “requested”, An individual setting means for setting an individual setting flag to “valid” and maintaining the settings of the plurality of individual setting flags if the all invalid flag is not set to “requested”; Further wherein the blocking means, the individual setting flag is gas meter which is characterized by being configured to perform blocking of the gas only for the flow rate class which is set to "valid".

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the all invalid flag storage means stores the all invalid flag indicating that there has been a request to invalidate the gas shutoff by the shutoff means in all of the plurality of flow rate categories. The In the individual setting flag storage means, a plurality of individual provided for each of the plurality of flow rate sections indicating whether the gas shutoff by the shutoff means is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate sections. A setting flag is stored. When the all invalid setting means makes a request to invalidate the gas shutoff by the shutoff means in all of the plurality of flow rate classifications, the all invalid flag is set to “requested”, and the plurality of individual setting flags Set all of to "Disable". If the individual setting means has requested that “valid” is selected for some of the plurality of flow rate classifications regarding the gas cutoff by the cutoff means, if the invalid flag is all set to “requested” If the individual setting flag is set to “valid” for some of the above flow rate categories, and the invalid flag is not set to “required”, the current state is maintained without changing the setting of the plurality of individual setting flags. . The shut-off means shuts off the gas only for the flow rate category in which the individual setting flag is set to “valid”.

  As a result, when there is a request for disabling the use time blocking function and making the continuous use time unlimited in all flow rate categories (that is, a request for setting extension 2), it indicates that the request has been made. All invalid flags are set to “Requested”, and whether the gas is blocked by the shut-off means provided for each of the plurality of flow rate segments is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate categories. Since all of the plurality of individual setting flags are set to “invalid”, after that, the shut-off means does not shut off the gas in all of the plurality of flow rate segments because the individual setting flag is set to “invalid” That is, the continuous use time is unlimited in all of the plurality of flow rate categories. In this state, when there is a request for “valid” for some of the plurality of flow rate categories for the gas cutoff by the cutoff means, all invalid flags are set to “requested”. Therefore, when the individual setting flag is set to “valid” for the above-mentioned some flow rate categories and the individual setting flag is set to “valid” for some flow rate categories, The gas is shut off for the flow rate classification, that is, the continuous use time is limited, and the gas flow is not cut off because the other flow rate classification is set to “invalid”, that is, the continuous use time is unlimited. . Therefore, in an environment in which only a limited flow rate segment is continuously used, a safety function can be further enhanced by enabling a cutoff function based on the continuous use time in a flow rate segment other than such a flow rate segment.

It is a schematic block diagram of the gas meter which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the use time interruption | blocking value table containing the use time interruption | blocking value corresponding to the flow volume classification of gas memorize | stored in ROM with which the microcomputer of the gas meter of FIG. About the usage time cutoff value type indicating the type of usage time cutoff value stored in the RAM of the gas meter microcomputer of FIG. 1, the extended 2 setting flag indicating that an extended 2 setting request has been made, and the gas cutoff The figure which shows an example with the individual setting flag table containing the some individual setting flag provided for the said some flow volume division which shows whether it is "valid" for every some flow volume division, or "invalid" It is. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the expansion 2 setting process performed by CPU of the gas meter of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the extended 2 setting limitation cancellation process performed by CPU of the gas meter of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the interruption | blocking process performed by CPU of the gas meter of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the use time interruption | blocking value type | mold memorize | stored in RAM50 after performing the extended setting process of FIG. 4, an extended 2 setting flag, and an individual setting flag table. It is a figure which shows an example of the use time interruption | blocking value type | mold memorize | stored in RAM50 after performing the extended setting process of FIG. 5, an extended 2 setting flag, and an individual setting flag table.

  Hereinafter, a gas meter as one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. This gas meter (indicated by reference numeral 1 in the figure) has the function of measuring the flow rate of gas flowing through a gas pipe (not shown) and the above-mentioned function for shutting down the use time.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a gas meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage time cutoff value table including usage time cutoff values corresponding to gas flow rate classifications stored in a ROM included in the microcomputer of the gas meter of FIG. FIG. 3 shows a usage time cutoff value type indicating a type of usage time cutoff value stored in a RAM provided in the microcomputer of the gas meter of FIG. An individual setting flag table including a plurality of individual setting flags provided for each of the plurality of flow rate segments, which indicates whether the gas block is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate segments. It is a figure which shows an example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the gas meter 1 includes a flow rate detection unit 11, a blocking unit 12, and a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 20.

  The flow rate detection unit 11 includes a flow rate sensor of a known ultrasonic sensor that can measure an instantaneous flow rate of gas flowing through a gas pipe (that is, a gas flow path) (not shown). This ultrasonic sensor detects an instantaneous flow rate from the signal propagation time of an ultrasonic signal propagating in the gas pipeline. Of course, as long as the flow rate of the gas can be measured, another flow rate sensor such as a flow sensor type flow rate sensor may be used. The flow rate detection unit 11 is connected to the microcomputer 20, autonomously measures the instantaneous flow rate of gas periodically (for example, every second), and directs the flow rate signal corresponding to the measured instantaneous flow rate to the microcomputer 20. Output. Note that the flow rate detection unit 11 may output the flow rate signal to the microcomputer 20 in response to a measurement request signal from the microcomputer 20.

  The shut-off unit 12 includes a shut-off valve installed in the gas pipeline and a drive circuit that drives the shut-off valve. The shut-off unit 12 is connected to the microcomputer 20, and the drive circuit drives the shut-off valve in accordance with a control signal output from the microcomputer 20 to open and close the gas pipe, thereby supplying or shutting off the gas. The blocking unit 12 corresponds to a blocking unit.

  The microcomputer 20 performs various processing according to a predetermined processing program and controls the entire gas meter 1, a ROM 40 that stores a processing program in which the processing performed by the CPU 30 is described, various determination values, and the like. A RAM 50 having a work area (such as a data storage area for storing various data) used in the process and a timer 60 used for measuring the continuous use time of the gas are provided. The timer 60 corresponds to continuous use time measuring means.

  The ROM 40 stores a control program that causes the CPU 30 to function as various means such as all invalid setting means and individual setting means. And CPU30 functions as said various means by running this control program.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the ROM 40 has a flow rate segmented by gas flow rate and an operating time cutoff value corresponding to the flow rate segment (lower limit value, upper limit value (no alarm device connected, alarm device connected)). ) Including a use time cutoff value table T1 is stored. Note that the gas consumption [kg / h] may be measured instead of the gas flow rate, and the use time cutoff function may be executed based on the gas consumption. The gas consumption amount indicates the mass of the gas consumed per unit time. Since this gas consumption amount correlates with the gas flow rate, the gas flow rate includes the gas consumption amount in a broad sense. The ROM 40 corresponds to usage time cutoff value storage means.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 50 includes a usage time cutoff value type J1 indicating a type of usage time cutoff value used for gas cutoff judgment among usage time cutoff values included in the usage time cutoff value table T1. And an extended 2 setting flag J2 (corresponding to all invalid flags) indicating that there has been a request for invalidation in all of the plurality of flow rate classifications regarding gas cutoff. In addition, the RAM 50 includes an individual setting including a plurality of individual setting flags provided for each of the plurality of flow rate segments, which indicates whether the gas cutoff is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate segments. An area for storing the flag table J3 is provided. In this embodiment, “upper limit value (alarm device connection)” is set in the use time cutoff value type J1 in the initial state immediately after the gas meter is started. Of course, in addition to this, “lower limit value”, “upper limit value (alarm unit not connected)”, or “fixed below lower limit value” described above may be set according to the configuration of the gas meter. In the initial state, the extension 2 setting flag J2 is set to “none” (corresponding to “no request”), and the individual setting flag table J3 is set to “invalid” for all the individual setting flags. ing. The RAM 50 corresponds to all invalid flag storage means and individual setting flag storage means.

  Further, the microcomputer 20 includes an external interface (not shown) to which the gas leak alarm and the maintenance terminal device of the gas meter 1 are connected. The microcomputer 20 receives a message indicating that a gas leak has been detected from the gas leak alarm via the external interface, and controls the blocking unit 12 according to the message to block the gas. In addition, the microcomputer 20 receives various setting requests (extended 2 setting request, extended 2 setting limitation release request, and usage time cutoff value type J1 requesting change of the usage time cutoff value type J1 from the maintenance terminal device via the external interface. Change request etc.) is received and processing corresponding to the message is executed, and then the response of the message is transmitted to the maintenance terminal device. Alternatively, instead of the maintenance terminal device, it may be configured to be connected to a management device or the like installed in the maintenance center via a communication network and process a message transmitted from the management device.

  Hereinafter, an example of processing executed by the CPU 30 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. 4 to 6 and various information stored in the RAM 50 of FIGS. 7 and 8.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the extended 2 setting process executed by the CPU of the gas meter of FIG. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the extended 2-setting limitation release process executed by the CPU of the gas meter of FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a blocking process executed by the CPU of the gas meter of FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage time cutoff value type, an extended 2 setting flag, and an individual setting flag table stored in the RAM 50 after the extended setting process of FIG. 4 is executed. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the usage time cutoff value type, the extended 2 setting flag, and the individual setting flag table stored in the RAM 50 after the extended setting process of FIG. 5 is executed.

  When the gas meter 1 is turned on, the CPU 30 of the microcomputer 20 included in the gas meter 1 transmits, for example, a control signal for autonomous operation to the flow rate detection unit 11 and opens the cutoff valve to the cutoff unit 12. After executing a predetermined initialization process such as transmitting a control signal for the purpose, the extended 2 setting process, the extended 2 setting limitation releasing process, and the blocking process are periodically executed.

  First, the extended 2 setting process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When proceeding to the extension 2 setting process, the CPU 30 determines whether or not an “extension 2 setting request” message has been received from a maintenance terminal device (not shown) (S110). If the electronic message has not been received, the extended 2 setting process is terminated as it is (N in S110). Alternatively, if the message has been received (Y in S110), the CPU 30 sets the extended 2 setting flag J2 of the RAM 50 to “present” (corresponding to “requested”) as shown in FIG. S120) After setting all the individual setting flags in the individual setting flag table J3 to “invalid” and sending a normal end response to the maintenance terminal device via the external interface (S130), the extended two setting process Exit. In FIG. 7, the setting change part from FIG. 3 is shown in bold.

  Next, the extended 2 setting limitation release process will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When proceeding to the extension 2 setting limitation release process, the CPU 30 determines whether or not an “extension 2 setting limitation release request” message has been received from a maintenance terminal device (not shown) (T110). If the message has not been received, the extended 2 setting limitation release process is terminated as it is (N in T110). Alternatively, if the message has been received (Y in T110), the CPU 30 next determines whether the extended 2 setting flag J2 is “present”, that is, whether there has been an extended 2 setting request before that ( T120). If the extension 2 setting flag J2 is not “present”, an undefined response is transmitted to the maintenance terminal device via the external interface, and the extension 2 setting limitation release process is terminated (N in T120). Thereby, the contents of the individual setting flag table J3 are maintained (no change). Alternatively, if the extension 2 setting flag J2 is “present” (Y in T120), as shown in FIG. 8, the individual setting flag corresponding to the flow rate classification indicated in the above message is set to “valid”, and After transmitting a normal end response to the maintenance terminal device via the external interface (T130), the extended 2 setting limitation release processing is ended. In the example of FIG. 8, the message “extension 2 setting limitation release request” includes information indicating that the usage time blocking function is enabled for the flow rate classifications 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, and 13, This indicates that the corresponding individual setting flag has been changed from “invalid” to “valid”. In FIG. 8, the setting change part from FIG. 7 is shown in bold.

  Next, the blocking process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When proceeding to the shut-off process, the CPU 30 detects the flow rate segment including the current flow rate among the plurality of flow rate categories based on the flow rate signal from the flow rate detection unit 11, and continues the usage time of the flow rate category. Is measured by the timer 60. The measured continuous use time is the use time cutoff value corresponding to the use time cutoff value type J1 among the usage time cutoff values of the flow rate classification of the continuous use time included in the usage time cutoff value table T1 (in the present embodiment). Determines whether the upper limit value (alarm device connection) has been exceeded (U110). If the continuous usage time does not exceed the usage time cutoff value, the cutoff process is terminated (N in U110). Or, if the continuous use time exceeds the use time cutoff value (Y in U110), is the individual setting flag corresponding to the flow category of the continuous use time included in the individual setting flag table J3 “valid”? It is determined whether or not (U120). If the individual setting flag is not “valid”, that is, “invalid”, it is assumed that the gas cutoff is invalidated for the flow rate classification, and the cutoff process is terminated (N in U120). Alternatively, if the individual setting flag is [valid], a control signal is transmitted to the shut-off unit 12 on the assumption that the shutoff of the gas is valid (that is, shuts off the gas) for the flow rate classification (U130). ), The blocking unit 12 blocks the gas based on the control signal. Then, the blocking process ends.

  For example, when the individual setting flag table J3 is in the state shown in FIG. 8, the continuous use time of the flow rate classification 3 is the usage time cutoff value (upper limit value (alarm device connection) 600 minutes. (Y in U110), the individual setting flag corresponding to the flow rate category 3 is “invalid”, so that the gas is not shut off (N in U120). When the time exceeds the use time cutoff value (upper limit value (alarm device connection) of 520 minutes (Y in U110), the individual setting flag corresponding to the flow rate category 4 is “valid”, so that the gas is shut off ( Y at U120, U130).

  The CPU 30 that executes steps S120 and S130 of the above-described extended 2 setting process all functions as an invalid setting unit, and the CPU 30 that executes steps T120 and T130 of the above-described extended 2 setting process functions as an individual setting unit.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the RAM 50 stores the extended 2 setting flag J2 indicating that there is a request to invalidate the gas cutoff by the cutoff unit 12 in all of the plurality of flow rate categories. The RAM 50 includes a plurality of individual setting flags provided for each of the plurality of flow rate sections, which indicate whether the gas block by the blocking unit 12 is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate sections. The individual setting flag table J3 is stored. Then, when there is a request for the all invalid setting means to invalidate the gas cutoff by the cutoff unit 12 in all of the plurality of flow rate categories, the extended 2 setting flag J2 is set to “present” and the individual setting flag is set. All of the plurality of individual setting flags included in the table J3 are set to “invalid”. When the individual setting means makes a request for “valid” for some of the plurality of flow rate classifications regarding the gas cutoff by the cutoff unit 12, the extension 2 setting flag J2 is set to “present”. If the individual setting flag is set to “valid” for some of the flow rate classifications and the extended 2 setting flag J2 is set to “none”, the settings of the plurality of individual setting flags are not changed. To maintain. And the interruption | blocking part 12 interrupts | blocks gas only about the flow volume division with which the individual setting flag is set to "valid".

  Because of this, when there is a request for disabling the use time blocking function and making the continuous use time unlimited in all flow categories (that is, an extended 2 setting request message) The extended 2 setting flag J2 shown is set to “present”, and the gas blocking by the blocking unit 12 provided for each of the plurality of flow rate sections is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate sections. Since all of the plurality of individual setting flags are set to “invalid”, the cutoff unit 12 then shuts off the gas in all of the plurality of flow rate categories because the individual setting flag is set to “invalid”. In other words, the continuous use time is unlimited in all of the plurality of flow rate segments. In this state, when there is a request to make “valid” for a part of the plurality of flow rate classifications regarding the gas cutoff by the cutoff unit 12 (that is, an extension 2 setting limitation release request message), Since the extended 2 setting flag J2 is set to “present”, the individual setting flag is set to “valid” for a part of the flow rate classification indicated in the extended 2 setting limited release request message, and the blocking unit 12 The individual setting flag is set to “valid” for some of these flow categories, so that the gas is shut off for that particular flow category, that is, the continuous use time is limited. By setting “invalid”, the gas is not shut off, that is, the continuous use time becomes unlimited. Therefore, in an environment in which only a limited flow rate segment is continuously used, a safety function can be further enhanced by enabling a cutoff function based on the continuous use time in a flow rate segment other than such a flow rate segment.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to embodiment. That is, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventionally known knowledge without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, such modifications are included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the configuration of the gas meter of the present invention.

1 Gas Meter 11 Flow Rate Detection Unit 12 Blocking Unit (Blocking Unit)
20 microcomputer 30 CPU (all invalid setting means, individual setting means)
40 ROM (usage time cutoff value storage means)
50 RAM (all invalid flag storage means, individual setting flag storage means)
60 timer (continuous use time measuring means)

Claims (1)

A usage time cutoff value storage means for storing a plurality of usage time cutoff values set for each of a plurality of flow rate categories for gas; a continuous usage time measuring means for measuring a continuous usage time for each of the flow rate categories; and the continuation A shut-off means for shutting off the gas when the continuous use time measured by the use time measuring means exceeds the use time cutoff value set corresponding to the flow rate category of the continuous use time. A gas meter,
An all-invalid flag storage means for storing an all-invalid flag indicating that there has been a request to invalidate all of the plurality of flow rate classifications regarding the gas blocking by the blocking means;
A plurality of individual setting flags provided for each of the plurality of flow rate segments are stored to indicate whether the gas is blocked by the blocking means is “valid” or “invalid” for each of the plurality of flow rate segments. Individual setting flag storage means,
When there is a request to invalidate all of the plurality of flow rate classifications for shutting off the gas by the shut-off means, the all invalid flag is set to “Requested”, and all of the plurality of individual setting flags are set. All invalid setting means to set to “invalid”;
When there is a request to be “valid” for a part of the plurality of flow rate classifications regarding the cutoff of the gas by the cutoff means, if the all invalid flag is set to “requested”, Individual setting means for setting the plurality of individual setting flags to be set if the individual setting flag is set to “valid” for the partial flow rate classification and the all invalid flag is not set to “required”; Further comprising
The gas meter, wherein the shut-off means is configured to shut off the gas only for the flow rate category in which the individual setting flag is set to “valid”.

Images