JPH0886400A - Gas emergency trip device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To reduce the consumption of a battery of a gas emergency trip device so as to increase the reliability of it by driving a valve drive part when a gas unuse signal from a flow monitoring means is present so as to close a shut-off valve and, after a specified time, turn off the power of each means for selecting a low power mode. CONSTITUTION: When a gas enterpriser inputs a gas unuse signal from an external input terminal 5, a control part 16 drives a valve drive part 3 when the gas unuse signal is present so as to close a shut-off valve 2 and, after 40sec later, turn off the powers of an external sensor input means 6, an alarm means 10, and a valve return means 7 for selecting low power mode. Even if the gas enterpriser fails to input the gas unuse signal, a signal from a flow monitoring means 8 outputs the gas unuse signal when gas flow is zero for two weeks. By this, not only the input operation from the external input terminal 5 of the gas enterpriser is reduced but also the battery 17 of the gas emergency trip device is suppressed from consuming when monitoring is never required. Thus the reliability of the emergency trip device is increased and the device is tripped surely so that the safety can be maintained even when a house is not dwelled.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas shutoff device for preventing gas accidents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional gas shutoff device of this type is shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, 2 is a shutoff valve for opening and closing the gas passage, 1
Is a flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate corresponding to the passing gas flow rate, 3 is a valve drive unit for opening and closing the shutoff valve 2, 4 is a gas meter to which the shutoff valve 2 and the flow rate measuring means 1 are attached, and 5 is a gas shutoff An external input terminal for outputting a gas non-use signal for putting the device into a low power mode, 6 is an external sensor input means for inputting an abnormal signal from an external seismic sensor or alarm sensor, and 7 is a shutoff valve 2. When there is an abnormal signal of the gas flow rate from the flow rate measuring means 1 or an abnormal signal from the external sensor input means 6, the valve return means 16 drives the valve drive portion 3 to close the shutoff valve 2. When there is a valve return signal from the valve return means 7, the valve drive unit 3 is driven to open the shutoff valve 2, and when there is a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal, the valve drive 3 is driven to shut off the shutoff valve 2. For a predetermined period (40 seconds) Is a control unit for turning off the power supply of the external sensor input means 6, the power supply of the notification means 10 and the power supply of the valve resetting means 7 to enter the low power mode, 10 is a notification means for displaying the reason for interruption, and 17 is a battery as a power supply for the apparatus. Is.

When the gas shut-off device is installed on the site, if the house is a new house or the like and the occupant is far ahead, the gas company inputs a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5. Control unit 16
When there is this gas non-use signal, the valve driving unit 3 is driven to close the shutoff valve 2 and, 40 seconds later, the power source of the external sensor input unit 6, the power source of the notification unit 10 and the power source of the valve resetting unit 7 are turned off. To low power mode. In order to open the shutoff valve 2 of the gas shutoff device again, the gas company inputs a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5 to shut off the shutoff valve 2. Before the gas shutoff device enters the low power mode (within 40 seconds), a valve restoration signal is input from the valve restoration means 7 to drive the shutoff valve 2 to open the gas passage and monitor the flow rate for 2 minutes to monitor normal gas. Enter monitor mode. When there is a flow rate (abnormal signal) from the flow rate measuring means 1 in 2 minutes, the shutoff valve 2 is closed again and the gas passage is closed.

[0004]

However, in such a gas shutoff device, the battery 17 as a power source of the gas shutoff device may be unnecessarily consumed as described below.
In other words, when it is installed on the site, if the house is a new house or the like, and the occupant is far in the future, the business operator inputs a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5, but if the gas business operator forgets this operation, the gas shutoff will occur. The device did not enter the low power mode, so that the battery 17 of the gas shutoff device was consumed unnecessarily even though the device was not in the house. Further, in such a gas shutoff device, it takes a lot of time to return the gas shutoff device from the low power mode to the normal gas monitoring mode as described below, and further, there is a portion that cannot be inspected when inspecting the gas pipe. There was an occasion. First, the gas company inputs a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5 to shut off the shutoff valve 2. Then, before the gas shutoff device enters the low power mode (within 40 seconds), the shutoff valve 2 is restored by the valve restoring means 7, and then the main cock on the upstream side of the meter is closed to set the pressure from the downstream side of the meter. Check for leaks from the inner pipe to the original cock. However, when this pressure is applied, a slight amount of gas flow is generated and it is judged that there is a flow rate (abnormal signal), and the shutoff valve 2 is closed again to close the gas passage. Therefore, it is impossible to check the leakage of the inner pipe from the cock to the shutoff valve 2 of the gas meter.

Therefore, the gas shutoff device of the present invention reduces the labor and installation confirmation test at the time of on-site installation, and surely reduces the battery consumption of the gas shutoff device to improve the reliability of the gas shutoff device. It is an object.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a gas cutoff device according to a first aspect of the present invention is a gas cutoff device for measuring a flow rate corresponding to a flow rate of a passing gas and a shutoff valve for opening and closing a gas passage. A valve drive unit for opening and closing the shutoff valve, a valve returning means for instructing to open the shutoff valve from the outside, an external sensor input means for inputting an abnormal signal from an external sensor, and a conventional gas A flow rate monitoring means for monitoring a signal from the flow rate measuring means which is not included in the circuit breaker and outputting a gas non-use signal for putting the gas circuit breaker into a low power mode when the flow rate below a predetermined level continues for a predetermined period, and When there is a gas non-use signal from the flow rate monitoring means in the control section of the conventional gas cutoff device, the valve drive section is driven to close the cutoff valve, and after a predetermined period of time, the power supply of the external sensor input means and the power supply of the notification means. A control unit plus that turns off the power supply of the valve return means to a low power mode, and informing means for informing the blocking reasons, those having a battery as a power source.

The gas shutoff device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a flow rate measuring means for measuring a flow rate corresponding to a flow rate of a passing gas, a shutoff valve for opening and closing a gas passage, and a valve drive section for driving the shutoff valve to open and close. A valve return means for instructing to open the shutoff valve from the outside, an external sensor input means for inputting an abnormal signal from an external sensor, and a signal from the flow rate measuring means to monitor a flow rate below a predetermined level. When the period continues, the flow rate monitoring means for outputting a gas non-use signal for putting the gas shutoff device in the low power mode, the pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the gas pipe downstream of the shutoff valve, and the state of the pressure sensor When there is a gas non-use signal from the pressure sensor input means for outputting a signal for recovering the pressure drop and the flow rate monitoring means which is not in the control section of the conventional gas shutoff device, the valve drive section is driven to shut off the shutoff valve. After closing for a predetermined period of time, the power supply of the external sensor input means, the power supply of the notification means, and the power supply of the valve resetting means are turned off to enter the low power mode, while a pressure drop recovery signal is sent from the pressure sensor input means in the low power mode. If there is, the shutoff valve is opened and after a predetermined period of time (the abnormal signal from the flow rate measuring means is ignored during this period), the control unit that returns from the low power mode to the normal monitoring state and the reason for the shutoff are notified. It is provided with a notification means.

Further, in the gas shutoff device of the third aspect, when the control unit of the present invention 2 is returned to the normal monitoring state from the low power mode in the second gas shutoff device, the shutoff valve of the present invention 2 is opened. The present invention is provided with an external communication means for receiving a normal mode signal from the control section of the invention 2 and communicating with the outside and for notifying the notification means of the invention 2 with the result.

[0009]

With the above-mentioned means, the gas shutoff device according to the first aspect of the present invention enables the gas shutoff device to keep the flow rate for a predetermined period even if the gas operator forgets to put the gas shutoff device in the low power mode from the external input terminal. When the value is less than a certain value, a gas non-use signal is output, and the control unit receiving this signal enters the low power mode so that the battery as the power source of the gas shutoff device is not unnecessarily consumed.

In the gas shutoff device of claim 2, the gas company has to perform a minimum leak check of the inner pipe at the time of conventional installation without performing any operation on the gas shutoff device in the low power mode. Then, the pressure sensor input means detects the pressure for confirming the leakage of this inner pipe, opens the shut-off valve and ignores the flow rate for a certain period, and then the normal gas monitoring mode is entered, so the inner pipe up to the original cock In addition to being able to reliably confirm the leakage of the gas, the gas company can put the gas shutoff device into the normal gas monitoring mode without performing any operation on the gas shutoff device.

The gas shutoff device of claim 3 requires a communication confirmation test when the gas company installs a connection with a line terminal device or the like at the time of installation, but the gas company has a minimum leakage of the inner pipe. Just by confirming, it returns to the normal gas monitoring mode, and when it returns to this normal gas monitoring mode, it automatically communicates with the outside by the external communication means, and the result is notified by the notification means, and on-site. It is possible to reduce the labor of the communication confirmation test of the gas company.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the gas shutoff device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A gas shutoff device of a first embodiment corresponding to claim 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, 2 is a shutoff valve for opening and closing a gas passage, 1 is a flow rate measuring means for measuring the flow rate corresponding to the flow rate of passing gas, 3 is a valve drive unit for driving the shutoff valve 2 to open and close, and 4 is a shutoff valve 2. And a gas meter to which the flow rate measuring means 1 is attached, 5 is an external input terminal for outputting a gas non-use signal for putting the gas shutoff device into a low power mode, and 6 is an abnormality from an external seismic sensor or alarm sensor External sensor input means for inputting signals, 8
Is below a certain level (zero) by monitoring the flow rate signal of the flow rate measuring means
Flow monitoring means for outputting a gas non-use signal to put the gas shutoff device in the low power mode when the flow rate of the gas shutoff valve continues for a predetermined period (2 weeks), and 7 is a valve return for externally instructing to open the shutoff valve 2. Means 9 drives the valve drive unit 3 to close the shutoff valve 2 while the abnormal signal of the gas flow rate from the flow rate measuring unit 1 and the abnormal signal from the external sensor input unit 6 are closed, while the valve from the valve return unit 7 is opened. When there is a return signal, the valve drive unit 3 is driven to open the shutoff valve 2, and when there is a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5 and the flow rate monitoring means 8, the valve drive unit 3 is driven to open the shutoff valve 2. After a predetermined period (40 seconds) after closing, the control unit 10 turns off the power supply of the external sensor input means 6, the power supply of the notification means 10 and the power supply of the valve return means 7 to the low power mode, and the notification means for displaying the reason for the interruption. LCD, 17
Is a battery as a device power source.

When the gas shut-off device is installed on the site, if the house is a new house or the like and the occupancy is far ahead, when the gas operator inputs a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5, the control unit 1
When there is this gas non-use signal, 6 is the external sensor input means 6 after 40 seconds from closing the shut-off valve 2 by driving the valve drive unit 3.
To turn off the power source of the notification means 10 and the power source of the valve restoring means 7 to enter the low power mode. Even if the gas operator forgets to input the gas non-use signal from this external input terminal 5,
When the signal from the flow rate monitoring means 8 is zero for two weeks, the gas non-use signal is output. When there is this gas non-use signal, the control unit 16 drives the valve driving unit 3 to close the shutoff valve 2 and, 40 seconds after, turns on the power source of the external sensor input unit 6, the power source of the notification unit 10, and the power source of the valve resetting unit 7. Turn off to enter low power mode.

Therefore, the external input terminal 5 of the gas company
Not only is it possible to reduce the operation of the input from, but it is also possible to suppress the consumption of the battery 17 of the gas shutoff device when the monitoring is not absolutely necessary, and to improve the reliability of the gas shutoff device. It is possible to secure safety when moving in. Further, the flow rate monitoring means 8 operates until the gas cutoff device is attached, and the consumption of the battery 17 of the gas cutoff device can be suppressed. The flow rate monitoring unit 8 and the control unit 9 described above are
This can be realized by using the calculation and judgment functions by the program operation of a microcomputer or the like.

The flow rate monitoring means 8 and control section 9 described above with reference to FIG.
Shows a program flow chart until the gas cutoff device is set to the low power mode. In process 41, the control unit 9 clears the timer for 2 weeks, and in process 42, the flow rate monitoring means 8 determines whether the flow rate of the flow rate measuring means 1 is zero. If it is not zero, clear the timer for 2 weeks in process 43 and process 4 again.
Move to 2. If the flow rate is zero in process 42, the timer is counted up for 2 weeks in process 44 and the process proceeds to process 45.
In process 45, it is determined whether two weeks have passed. If two weeks have not passed, the process 42 is entered. If two weeks have passed, the process goes to the process 46. In process 46, the flow rate monitoring means 8 outputs a gas non-use signal, and in process 47, the control unit 9 puts the gas shutoff device in the low power mode.

A gas shutoff device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.
The same numbers as indicate the same items and the same means. Reference numeral 11 is a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the gas pipe on the downstream side of the shutoff valve 2, 12 is a pressure sensor input means for outputting a pressure drop recovery signal when the pressure drop is recovered due to the state of the pressure sensor 11, and 13 is a flow rate measurement. When there is an abnormal signal of the gas flow rate from the means 1 or an abnormal signal from the external sensor input means 6, the valve drive unit 3 is driven to close the shutoff valve 2, while the valve return signal from the valve return means 7 is sent to the valve. The drive unit 3 is driven to open the shutoff valve 2, and when there is a gas non-use signal from the external input terminal 5 and the flow rate monitoring means 8, the valve drive unit 3 is driven to close the shutoff valve 2 for a predetermined period (40 (Seconds) later, the power supply of the external sensor input means 6 and the power supply of the notification means 10 are turned off to enter the low power mode, while the shutoff valve 2 is opened if there is a pressure drop recovery signal from the pressure sensor input means 12 in this low power mode. Place A control unit to return from the low power mode to the normal monitoring mode after after (2-3) period.

When the gas company returns the gas shutoff device in the low power mode to the normal gas monitoring mode, the gas shutoff device is not operated, and the minimum required from the original cock to the downstream side. Only the leak test of the inner pipe of the above should be performed. That is, the gas company closes the main cock of the meter and applies pressure from the downstream side of the meter to confirm the leakage of the inner pipe to the main cock. The pressure sensor 11 detects this pressure, and the pressure sensor input means outputs a pressure drop recovery signal. The control unit 13 opens the shutoff valve 2 by this pressure drop recovery signal and returns from the low power mode to the normal monitoring mode after a predetermined period (2 to 3 seconds) (ignoring the signal of the flow rate measuring means 1 during this period). This makes it possible to eliminate the operation conventionally performed on the gas shutoff device, and when a pressure is applied from the downstream side, a slight amount of gas flow is produced and shuts off, but the flow rate measuring means 1 for 2 to 3 seconds. The control unit 13 does not close the shutoff valve 2 again without outputting an abnormal signal from the flow rate measuring means 1 because the normal monitoring mode is disregarded by the signal of No. Leaks can be reliably inspected. The pressure sensor input unit 12 and the control unit 1 described above
3 can be realized by using a calculation or determination function by a program operation of a microcomputer or the like.

The pressure sensor input means 12 described above in FIG.
The control part 13 shows the program flowchart from the low power mode of a gas interruption apparatus to the normal gas monitoring mode. When the gas shutoff device is in the low power mode in process 51, the recovery of the pressure on the downstream side of the shutoff valve 2 is detected by the pressure sensor 11 in process 52 and it is determined whether the pressure is recovered by the pressure sensor input means 12. To do. If the pressure is recovered, the pressure sensor input means 12 outputs a pressure recovery signal in process 53, and the controller 13 opens the shutoff valve 2 in process 54 and enters the normal gas monitoring mode 2-3 seconds later.

A gas shutoff device of a third embodiment corresponding to claim 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG.
The same numbers as indicate the same items and the same means. Reference numeral 14 is an external communication means for receiving a normal mode signal when the gas cutoff device is in the normal gas monitoring mode, performing a communication test with the center through the line terminal device, and outputting the result to the notification means 10. A line terminal device 20 communicates with the gas shutoff device and the center using a telephone line. As a result, a communication confirmation test is required if a connection with the line terminal device 20 etc. is made when installing the gas shutoff device, but the operation for conducting the communication test on the gas shutoff device is not performed and only confirmation is performed. Should be done.

That is, when the gas company conducts a leak inspection of the inner pipe from the former cock to the downstream side, the external communication means 14 receives the normal mode signal in the normal gas monitoring mode from the control section 13 and the line terminal device 20. Send the phone number to. The line terminal device 20 makes a call to the center of this telephone number and connects the telephone line to the center. When the connection is completed, a message will be sent from the center to send the test information to the gas shutoff device, so the gas shutoff device sends the test information to the center. Upon receiving this, the center informs the gas shutoff device that normal communication has been established and disconnects the line. The gas shut-off device has a notification means 10 according to whether or not there is this notification from the center.
To inform. The gas operator can carry out a communication test with the center without any operation on the gas shutoff device at the time of installation, and the test result can be surely confirmed by looking at the result of the notification means 10 (LCD) on site. . If communication is abnormal, the cause can be quickly investigated on the spot. The above-mentioned external communication means 14 can be realized by using calculation and judgment functions by a program operation of a microcomputer or the like.

FIG. 6 shows a program flow chart until the above-mentioned external communication means 14 receives the normal mode signal of the gas shutoff device and communicates with the center and notifies the notification means 10 of the result. In process 61, it is determined whether or not there is a normal mode signal from the control unit 13, and if there is a normal mode signal, the process proceeds to process 62. In the process 62, the external communication means 14
Performs communication with the center by the above-described communication procedure, and in process 63, it is determined whether or not there is a notification from the center that the communication has been normally performed. If it is normal, the notification means 10 gives a normal notification in step 64, and if it is not normal, the notification means 10 gives an abnormal notification in step 65.

[0023]

As is apparent from the above description, in the gas shutoff device of claim 1, the flow rate monitoring means is automatic even if the gas operator forgets to switch the low power mode when the gas shutoff device is installed in the field. Since it is possible to switch to the low power mode, it is possible to surely reduce the consumption of the battery of the gas shutoff device when unnecessary and improve the reliability of the gas shutoff device.

Further, the gas shutoff device according to claim 2 does not require any operation for the gas shutoff device when the gas company returns the gas shutoff device in the low power mode to the normal monitoring mode. The pressure sensor input means automatically switches to the monitoring mode by only checking the leakage of the inner pipe on the downstream side from the former cock, which reduces the labor of the gas operator and reduces the leakage on the downstream side from the former cock. The confirmation can be surely performed.

Further, the gas shutoff device according to claim 3 is a communication test between the external communication means and the line terminal device when the gas operator confirms the leakage of the inner pipe without operating the gas shutoff device at the time of installation. In addition, the result can be confirmed by the notification means, and wiring work at the site can be easily confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the device.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the device.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a gas shutoff device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the device.

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of a conventional gas shutoff device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flow rate measuring means 2 Shut-off valve 3 Valve drive section 6 External sensor input means 7 Valve return means 8 Flow rate monitoring means 9 Control section 10 Notification means 17 Battery

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A flow rate measuring means for measuring a flow rate corresponding to a passing gas flow rate, a shutoff valve for opening and closing a gas passage, a valve drive section for driving the shutoff valve to open and close, and opening the shutoff valve. A valve return means for instructing from the outside, an external sensor input means for inputting an abnormal signal from an external sensor, and a signal from the flow rate measuring means are monitored, and when the flow rate below a predetermined level continues for a predetermined period, the gas shutoff device is operated at low power. Flow rate monitoring means for outputting a gas non-use signal for setting the mode, and when there is an abnormal signal of the gas flow rate from the flow rate measuring means or an abnormal signal from the external sensor input means, the valve drive unit is driven to shut off the valve. While closing the valve, when there is a valve return signal from the valve return means, the valve drive section is driven to open the shutoff valve, and when there is a gas non-use signal from the flow rate monitoring section, the valve drive section is opened. Drive After shutting off the shutoff valve for a predetermined period of time, the controller turns off the power source of the external sensor input means, the power source of the alerting means, and the power source of the valve restoring means to enter the low power mode, and the alert means for alerting the shutoff reason. And a gas shutoff device equipped with a battery as a power source. 2. A flow rate measuring means for measuring a flow rate corresponding to a passing gas flow rate, a shutoff valve for opening and closing a gas passage, a valve drive section for driving the shutoff valve to open and close, and a shutoff valve for opening. A valve return means for instructing from the outside, an external sensor input means for inputting an abnormal signal from an external sensor, and a signal from the flow rate measuring means are monitored, and when the flow rate below a predetermined level continues for a predetermined period, the gas shutoff device is operated at low power. Flow rate monitoring means for outputting a gas non-use signal for setting the mode, a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the gas pipe on the downstream side of the shutoff valve, and a pressure indicating that the pressure drop has been recovered depending on the state of the pressure sensor. When there is a pressure sensor input means for outputting a drop recovery signal, and an abnormal signal of gas flow rate from the flow rate measuring means or an abnormal signal from external sensor input means, the valve drive section is driven to close the shutoff valve. On the other hand, when there is a valve return signal from the valve return means, the valve drive section is driven to open the shutoff valve, and when there is a gas non-use signal from the flow rate monitoring section, the valve drive section is driven. After shutting off the shutoff valve for a predetermined period of time, the power source of the external sensor input means, the power source of the notification means and the power source of the valve restoring means are turned off to enter the low power mode, while the pressure sensor input means operates in the low power mode. If there is a pressure drop recovery signal, the shut-off valve is opened and the control unit that returns from the low power mode to the normal monitoring state after a predetermined period (ignoring the abnormal signal from the flow rate measuring unit during this period) and the shut-off reason are notified. A gas shutoff device having a notifying means. 3. An external communication means for receiving a normal mode signal from the control section and communicating with the outside when the control section returns from the low power mode to a normal monitoring state and opens the shutoff valve, and notifies the notification means of the result. The gas shutoff device according to claim 2, further comprising: