JPH1151827A - Concentrated management system for gas cylinder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To confirm the amount remaining in a gas cylinder quickly in real time and speedily replace, make arrangements for, regulate and inspect gas cylinders, by setting a communication part which transmits an internal pressure measurement signal for every gas cylinder together with an identification number. SOLUTION: Each gas cylinder 4 is equipped with a pressure sensor PG in addition to a pressure gauge 4a, converting an internal pressure measurement value to an electric signal and transferring the signal to a communication part 10 via an electric wire 9a set along a flexible pipe 9. The communication part 10 collects identification numbers for identification of the gas cylinders 4 and internal pressure measurement values, and transmits to a gas cylinder management process part 6 via a communication line 11 and a communication part 12 at the receiving side. The gas cylinder management process part 6 stores the internal pressure measurement value of each gas cylinder 4 together with a kind of gas, a manager's name of the gas cylinder 4, etc., with using the input identification number as a key, thereby forming a gas cylinder management database. A concentrated management system 1 carries out data communication by each inspection system 3, a gas cylinder state management part 13, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a centralized management system for gas cylinders used for adjustment and inspection of a gas analyzer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, gas analyzers used for measuring automobile exhaust gas include various kinds of gases to be measured such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen oxide. For this reason,
During the production of the gas analyzer, it is necessary to flow in several kinds of standard gases having a known concentration to perform adjustment and inspection of the gas analyzer.

FIG. 4 schematically shows the structure of a conventional gas cylinder connection system 20 for inspecting and adjusting the gas analyzer 2. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 3 denotes an inspection system for inspecting and adjusting the gas analyzer 2, 4 denotes a gas cylinder filled with various gases to be inspected and adjusted by the gas analyzer 2, and 8 denotes a gas analyzer 2 for selectively selecting each gas cylinder 4. It is a pipe changer connected to. That is, each inspection system 3 selectively connects the gas cylinder 4 in which a standard gas diluted to an appropriate known concentration is sealed to the gas analyzer 2 so that the measurement result of the gas analyzer 2 outputs a known concentration. Adjustment and inspection of the gas analyzer 2 were performed.

As described above, when the standard gas is supplied by the gas cylinder 4, the residual pressure of the enclosed standard gas decreases as it is used, and it is inevitable that the contents will eventually disappear. For this reason, in order to prevent the supply of the standard gas from being interrupted during the adjustment and inspection of the gas analyzer 2 and to prevent the gas at the required pressure from being supplied, the residual pressure of the standard gas to be used is checked in advance. There is a need to.

[0005] In general, a gas cylinder 4 for enclosing a flammable gas such as hydrogen gas or a highly toxic gas such as carbon monoxide or nitrogen oxide is provided in a gas cylinder in a separate room to enhance safety management. In many cases, these standard gases are supplied to the gas analyzer 2 through the pipe 7 in a storage room.

For this reason, in order to carry out the above-mentioned operation for confirming the residual pressure of the standard gas, for example, a list 21 of the types and amounts of the standard gases used by the inspection system 3 is output. The operator checked the pressure gauge 4a attached to each gas cylinder 4 with a hand and checked whether there was a remaining amount necessary for adjustment and inspection.

[0007]

However, depending on the type of the gas analyzer 2 to be inspected, it is necessary to check the gas cylinder 4 containing several tens of standard gases. In other words, it takes a lot of time and is troublesome for the operator to go to the storage of the gas cylinder 4 and determine the required amount of each standard gas one by one from the pressure gauge 4a, which is very complicated. Was.

Furthermore, the operator may erroneously check the contents, concentration and remaining amount of the standard gas recorded in each gas cylinder 4, and the supply of the standard gas is interrupted during the investigation and inspection. In some cases, adjustment and inspection of the gas analyzer 2 cannot be performed.

In addition, among the standard gases, there are some toxic gases such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide, and some flammable gases such as hydrogen. Required sufficient knowledge of workers to ensure safety.

[0010] Generally, the gas cylinder 4 is leased from a trader, and the expiration date for returning it is determined. In addition, it is also important to ensure that gas leakage or the like has not occurred due to various factors in order to ensure safety. Therefore, the worker has to check not only the remaining amount of the required standard gas but also the expiration date and safety of the gas cylinder 4 at all times.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and enables the real-time confirmation of the remaining amount of a gas cylinder used for adjusting and inspecting a gas analyzer. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a centralized management system for gas cylinders that allows quick arrangement, adjustment and inspection.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, a centralized gas cylinder management system according to the present invention is a system for centrally managing a plurality of gas cylinders filled with a standard gas to flow into a gas analyzer. A pressure sensor provided for each gas cylinder for measuring the internal pressure of each gas cylinder and outputting an internal pressure measurement signal; a communication unit for transmitting the internal pressure measurement signal together with an identification number set for each gas cylinder; A communication unit connected to the unit for receiving an identification number and an internal pressure measurement value signal, and a gas cylinder management process for confirming the remaining amount of gas in each gas cylinder based on information received from the communication unit and creating a gas cylinder management database And a part.

Therefore, the operator operates the gas cylinder management processing unit to search the gas cylinder management database, thereby easily confirming the remaining amounts of a large number of standard gases required for adjustment and inspection of the gas analyzer at one place. This eliminates the need for the operator to go to a storage of gas cylinders or the like and visually check the pressure gauges attached to each gas cylinder individually.

Further, the centralized management system for gas cylinders includes a network connected to a gas cylinder management processing unit, and various standards used for inspection and adjustment of a target gas analyzer using the gas cylinder management database connected to the network. Check the remaining amount of gas, etc.
A gas analyzer inspection system that outputs a gas cylinder replacement instruction when the gas analyzer is not sufficient for inspection and adjustment may be included.

In this case, since the checking operation of the standard gas required for the inspection and adjustment of the gas analyzer is performed between the inspection system and the gas cylinder management processing unit, the operator checks the remaining amount of the standard gas. It is not necessary to carry out the operation, the system can be automated, and the number of unnecessary steps can be reduced. In addition, the operator will not mistakenly check the remaining amount of another standard gas, and will not mistakenly use a gas of different concentration or type for inspection and adjustment of the gas analyzer. It can contribute to inspection.

In addition, the centralized management system for gas cylinders constantly monitors the measured internal pressure of each gas cylinder via a gas cylinder management database to confirm the occurrence of gas leaks and the like, thereby requesting appropriate maintenance and replacing gas cylinders. A gas cylinder state management unit that outputs instructions and order instructions may be provided.

By doing so, it is possible to quickly detect the occurrence of a gas leak or the like that may occur, take appropriate measures, contribute to safety, and suppress unnecessary gas consumption. Can be. Further, it is also possible to perform an ordering operation for a gas that is disappearing, manage an expiration date, and the like, and it is possible to dramatically reduce labor and automation of the system.

Further, the communication section provided in the pressure sensor and the gas cylinder management processing section may be a communication section for performing wireless communication, and one communication section on the pressure sensor side may be provided for each pressure sensor. In this case, there is no need to connect a signal line between the pressure sensor provided for each gas cylinder and the gas cylinder management processing unit, and a centralized gas cylinder management system can be easily configured by adding to the existing gas cylinder connection system. can do.

[0019]

1 and 2 show an example of a centralized gas cylinder management system 1 according to the present invention. 1 and 2, a centralized gas cylinder management system 1 includes a gas analyzer 2
Inspection system 3, a gas cylinder 4 of various standard gases to be supplied to the inspection system 3, its pressure sensor PG, and a cylinder storage 5a to store each gas cylinder 4
5c, a gas cylinder management processing unit 6 for managing the remaining amount of each gas cylinder 4, a pipe 7 for connecting the inspection system 3 to each gas cylinder 4, a pipe switching unit 8, a flexible pipe 9, a gas cylinder management processing unit 6, It comprises a communication unit 10, a communication line 11, and a communication unit 12 that enable communication of the pressure sensor 4a.

Each of the gas cylinders 4 is provided with a pressure sensor PG for converting pressure into an electric signal (measured internal pressure signal) in addition to, for example, a conventional pressure gauge 4a which can be visually recognized. It is connected to the pipe 7 via the flexible pipe 9. The pressure sensor PG converts the measured internal pressure into an electric signal,
An electric wire 9 provided with this internal pressure measurement signal along the flexible tube 9
The data is transferred to the communication unit 10 via a.

Each of the pressure sensors PG can set, for example, a unique identification number, and outputs this identification number to the communication section 10 in addition to the internal pressure measurement value signal. The identification number is, for example, a label 4b attached to the gas cylinder 4.
Etc. are the container numbers described in the above. The identification number may be set for each gas cylinder 4 on the communication unit 10 side. Further, the pressure sensor PG may be provided for each gas cylinder 4 in the pipe connection portion 10a of the communication unit 10. In this case, the electric wire 9 is moved along the flexible tube 9.
It is not necessary to provide a.

The communication unit 10 is configured to transmit the internal pressure measurement value signal and the identification number of each gas cylinder 4 input from the pressure sensor PG together with, for example, a number indicating the connection position of the pipe connection unit 10a to which the gas cylinder 4 is connected. Has been
The communication unit 10 includes, for example, a microcomputer. The microcomputer in the communication unit 10 once collects an identification number for recognizing the gas cylinder 4 and an internal pressure measurement value, and transmits them to the gas cylinder management processing unit 6 via the communication line 11 and the communication unit 12 on the receiving side.

The gas cylinder management processing unit 6 can receive the internal pressure measurement value signal and the identification number of each gas cylinder 4 transmitted from the pipe switching unit 8 to input the internal pressure measurement values of all the gas cylinders 4. The remaining amount of each gas cylinder 4 can be calculated based on the value. Alternatively, the internal pressure measurement value of each gas cylinder 4 can be received at any time by transmitting a transmission command of the internal pressure measurement value signal of each gas cylinder 4 from the gas cylinder management processing unit 6 via the communication unit 12. In this example, communication between the communication units 10 and 12 is performed via a communication line 11 via a LAN (Local Ar
Although the communication is performed by a communication system (network) using the technology of E. Networks (ea. Networks), any form of communication can be adopted, such as performing this communication wirelessly or via a cable for performing parallel communication.

The gas cylinder management processing unit 6 uses the input identification number as a key to store the measured values of the internal pressure of each gas cylinder 4 and the number indicating the connection position of the pipe connection unit 10a to which the gas cylinder 4 is connected. A gas cylinder management database is created by storing it together with the administrator name and the expiration date of the gas. Further, each information of the gas cylinder management database is updated at any time based on the received information.

On the other hand, in the gas cylinder centralized management system 1 of this embodiment, each of the inspection systems 3, the gas cylinder state management unit 13 and the gas cylinder order delivery management unit 14 are controlled by the communication line 11.
Is connected to the gas cylinder management processing unit 6 so that data communication can be performed with each other. That is, the inspection system 3, the gas cylinder management processing unit 6, the gas cylinder state management unit 13, and the order delivery management unit 14
(For example, a LAN) connected by the network.

In this embodiment, the communication between the inspection system 3, the gas cylinder management processing unit 6, the gas cylinder state management unit 13, and the order delivery management unit 14 is the same communication line as the communication between the communication unit 10 and the communication unit 12. Although the number of communication lines is reduced and the configuration is simplified by performing the communication via the communication line 11, the communication lines may be provided separately. In other words, the communication of the internal pressure measurement value and the identification number of the gas cylinder 4 and the communication associated with the use of the gas cylinder management database may be performed on separate networks, so that the two can be separated and communication management can be easily performed.

Therefore, the inspection system 3 uses the above-described network to check whether there is a sufficient gas remaining amount to perform adjustment / inspection using the gas cylinder management database of the gas cylinder management processor 6 or to request concentration data. Information such as whether the specified specifications are satisfied can be obtained online. Then, it is determined whether or not the gas cylinder 4 needs to be replaced, and an additional arrangement operation can be performed.

In the case where the communication unit 10 transmits the identification number of each gas cylinder 4 and the number indicating the connection position of the pipe connection unit 10a to which the gas cylinder 4 is connected as in this example, the inspection system 3 It is also possible to give an appropriate switching command to the piping switch 8 provided therein to control the gas analyzer 2 so that an appropriate gas necessary for adjustment and inspection of the gas analyzer 2 flows. The present invention is not limited to this, and switching of the gas supplied to the gas analyzer 2 is performed near the inspection system 3 or performed by a pipe changer provided near the pipe connection portion 10a. Needless to say, it is good. In addition, when the switching of the supplied gas is not performed by the automatic control, the communication unit 10 does not need to transmit the number indicating the connection position of the pipe connection unit 10a.

Next, the gas cylinder state management unit 13 can constantly monitor the gas cylinder management database by using the network. In other words, by constantly monitoring the measured value of the internal pressure of each gas cylinder 4, it is possible to quickly detect the occurrence of gas leakage, for example, when the internal pressure of the gas cylinder 4 that is not used is gradually decreasing. And if a gas leak is detected,
To pursue the source, report to the manager of the gas cylinder 4 and request appropriate maintenance.

That is, the gas cylinder state management unit 13 can request maintenance in accordance with the kind of gas considered to be leaking, with notes on fire and notes on poisoning. Further, when the expiration date of the gas cylinder 4 is included in the gas cylinder management database, it is possible to report that the expired gas cylinder 4 needs to be replaced. Therefore, even if a gas cylinder 4 in which a flammable or toxic gas is filled, not only can it be handled extremely safely, but also waste associated with gas leakage can be minimized.

Further, the centralized gas cylinder management system 1 of the present embodiment includes a gas cylinder 4 for storing the received gas cylinder 4 and an expired gas cylinder 4, and is connected to the network in the cylinder storage 5b. Order carrying-in management unit 1 for gas cylinder 4 consisting of a terminal computer
4 are provided.

Therefore, when the gas cylinder 4 is received from the trader, information such as the identification number of the gas cylinder 4, the type and concentration of the charged gas, the name of the manager, the expiration date, etc. is input from the order carrying-in management section 14, and this is entered. It can be managed by being included in the gas cylinder management database. By doing so, it is possible to manage information unique to each gas cylinder 4 quickly and without mistake using the identification number of the gas cylinder 4 as a key.

For example, when connecting the gas cylinder 4 stored in the cylinder storage 5b to the pipe connection part 10a in the cylinder storage 5a or 5c, the gas cylinder 4 is connected to the network simply by inputting the identification number of the gas cylinder 4. A gas cylinder 4 in which all terminals are connected to the pipe connection 10a
Various information can be obtained such as the type and concentration of gas sealed in the container. In addition, each of the terminals 3, 13, and 14 has an advantage that information on the number and state of all the gas cylinders 4 stored including the gas cylinders 4 used can be obtained.

Further, the centralized gas cylinder management system 1 of this embodiment monitors the frequency of the type of gas to be used at terminals on the network such as the gas cylinder state management unit 13 and the order carrying-in management unit 14, and sets the expiration date. After taking into account, it is possible to perform a management process of ordering before the gas cylinder 4 having an appropriate capacity becomes insufficient. The burden on the manager of the gas cylinder 4 can be reduced by providing a printing unit 14b for printing a slip 14a for ordering the gas cylinder 4.

In the above example, a pressure sensor PG for converting the measured internal pressure value into an electric signal is provided separately from the pressure gauge 4a which can be visually confirmed in each gas cylinder 4. The pressure gauge 4a may be omitted, and a display of a visually measured pressure value may be output to the pressure sensor PG. Furthermore, according to the present invention, intensive management of the gas cylinder 4 can be performed without providing the pressure gauge 4a for visual confirmation.

Further, the operator can operate the terminals 3, 13, 14 connected to the LAN irrespective of the operation of the terminals 3, 13, 14.
It is also possible to check the remaining amount of each gas cylinder 4 at any time by looking at the monitor M. That is, in order to construct the centralized management system 1 for gas cylinders, it is needless to say that all the terminals 3, 13, and 14 need not be connected to the LAN and completely automated.

FIG. 3 shows a centralized gas cylinder management system 1 'having a built-in communication unit 10' in the pressure sensor PG and configured to transmit an internal pressure measurement value by electromagnetic waves.
In FIG. 3, reference numeral 12 'denotes a communication unit for receiving an internal pressure measurement value signal provided in the host computer 6, and reference numeral 11' denotes a communication unit 1.
This is an electromagnetic wave used for communication between 0 'and 12'. That is, the centralized gas cylinder management system 1 'shown in this example differs from the examples shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in that the internal pressure measurement value and the identification number of the gas cylinder are transmitted by the electromagnetic wave 11'. In FIG. 3, the members denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are the same or equivalent members, and thus detailed description thereof will be omitted.

For communication between the communication units 10 'and 12', for example, the communication unit 12 'sequentially transmits request signals as electromagnetic waves 11' to the communication units 10 'provided in the respective pressure sensors PG, and receives requests. The communication unit 10 ′ transmits the internal pressure measurement signal and the identification number assigned to the gas cylinder 4 in the form of an electromagnetic wave 11 ′ and transmits the electromagnetic wave 11 ′, and the communication unit 12 ′ receives the signal. Note that this wireless communication method is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that the communication can be performed by an appropriate method.

By transmitting the measured value of the internal pressure and the identification number of the gas cylinder by the electromagnetic wave 11 ′ as described above, it is not necessary to extend the wiring for connecting each pressure sensor PG to the host computer 6. Therefore,
When the centralized gas cylinder management system 1 'is changed to a conventional gas cylinder connection system, it can be added to the original gas cylinder connection system by using the present embodiment, and the gas cylinder centralized management system 1 of the present invention can be added. '
Can be constructed very easily.

In the example shown in FIG.
Needless to say, modifications similar to those shown in FIGS.

[0041]

As described above, according to the centralized control system for gas cylinders of the present invention, the residual pressure of gas can be checked only by looking at the screen of the computer. Can be performed only by operating the computer. In other words, input various information such as the residual pressure of the standard gas based on the measured value of the internal pressure in real time, the number of stored standard gases, the period of use, the type and concentration of the enclosed gas, the name of the administrator, Since the gas cylinder management database is updated, replacement work, arrangement work, provision of information to the adjustment / inspection device, and the like can be reliably performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a centralized management system for gas cylinders of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a centralized management system for the gas cylinder.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the centralized management system for gas cylinders of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional gas cylinder connection system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 1 '... centralized gas cylinder management system, 2 ... gas analyzer, 3 ... inspection system, 4 ... gas cylinder, 6 ... gas cylinder management processing unit, 10, 12, 10', 12 '... communication unit, 13 ... gas cylinder state Management unit, PG: pressure sensor.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A system for centrally managing a plurality of gas cylinders filled with a standard gas to be supplied to a gas analyzer. The system is provided for each gas cylinder, measures the internal pressure of each gas cylinder, and outputs an internal pressure measurement signal. Pressure sensor, a communication unit for transmitting the internal pressure measurement value signal together with an identification number set for each gas cylinder, a communication unit connected to the communication unit for receiving the identification number and the internal pressure measurement value signal, and a communication unit And a gas cylinder management processing unit for confirming the remaining amount of gas in each gas cylinder based on information received from the gas cylinder and creating a gas cylinder management database. 2. A network connected to a gas cylinder management processing unit, and the remaining amount of various standard gases used for inspection and adjustment of a target gas analyzer is confirmed using the gas cylinder management database connected to the network. The centralized gas cylinder management system according to claim 1, further comprising a gas analyzer inspection system that outputs a gas cylinder replacement instruction when the gas analyzer is not sufficient for inspection and adjustment. 3. A request for proper maintenance by constantly monitoring the internal pressure measurement value of each gas cylinder through a gas cylinder management database and confirming the occurrence of gas leakage, etc.
The centralized gas cylinder management system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a gas cylinder state management unit that outputs a gas cylinder replacement instruction and an order instruction. 4. A communication unit provided in the pressure sensor and the gas cylinder management processing unit for performing wireless communication,
The centralized management system for gas cylinders according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein one communication unit on the pressure sensor side is provided for each pressure sensor.