JP2005091348A - Ultrasonic flow meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic flowmeter capable of measuring the flow velocity and / or flow velocity of both a gas and a liquid in a smaller installation space than before.
According to an ultrasonic flowmeter of the present invention, in one common processing unit, a measurement value related to water (flow rate / flow velocity / temperature) and a measurement value related to gas (flow rate / flow velocity / temperature) Therefore, the size of the ultrasonic flow meter 10 can be made smaller than that obtained by simply combining the ultrasonic flow meter for water and the ultrasonic flow meter for gas. The installation space can be kept smaller than before. In addition, the measured values of water and gas are displayed on the common single display 43 and are output from the common single communication processing unit 41 to the telephone line 46. Can be made more compact.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic flow meter.

  Conventionally, the amount of tap water used has been measured with an impeller-type flow meter, and the amount of gas used has been measured with a membrane-type flow meter.

  By the way, due to the recent housing situation, a reduction in the installation space of the flow meter has been studied. However, the impeller-type flow meter that measures water (liquid) and the membrane-type flow meter that measures gas (gas) are very different in configuration, so it is difficult to integrate them. Installation space for the gas flow meter was required, making it difficult to make it compact. In addition, prior art documents related to the present invention could not be found.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic flowmeter capable of measuring the flow velocity and / or flow velocity of both gas and liquid in a smaller installation space than conventional ones. To do.

  To achieve the above object, an ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 1 includes a gas measuring unit provided in a flow path through which a gas flows, a liquid measuring unit provided in a flow path through which a liquid flows, and a gas Provided in each of the measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit, and arranged separately on the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow path, the forward direction along the flow of the gas or liquid and the reverse direction reverse to the flow, A pair of ultrasonic transducers that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves in both directions, a calculation unit that calculates a difference between arrival times of ultrasonic waves in the forward and reverse directions between the pair of ultrasonic transducers, and gas Switching means for alternately switching between the measurement section for liquid and the measurement section for liquid and connecting to the calculation section, the calculation section is connected to the measurement section for gas, the gas flow velocity and the flow rate based on the difference in arrival time of the ultrasonic wave When calculating the flow rate and connecting to the liquid measurement unit, ultrasonic Characterized in was configured to calculate the flow rate and / or flow rate of the liquid based on the arrival time difference.

  A second aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to the first aspect, wherein the gas flow rate and / or flow rate calculated by the calculation unit and the liquid flow rate and / or flow rate are output to the communication line in common. It is characterized in that the output means is provided.

  A third aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to the first or second aspect, wherein the flow rate and / or flow rate of the gas calculated by the calculation unit and the flow rate and / or flow rate of the liquid are displayed in common. It is characterized by having a display section.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of the first to third aspects, a pair of ultrasonic transducers provided in the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit are respectively gas and liquid. The arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the forward direction is T1, the arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the reverse direction is T2, the interval between the ultrasonic transducers is d, and the propagation speed of the ultrasonic wave is When C, the calculation unit
1 / T1 + 1 / T2 = 2C / d
A characteristic is that the propagation velocity C is calculated using the above relational expression, and the temperature of the gas and the liquid is obtained from the relational expression of the propagation velocity C.

The invention according to claim 5 is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 4, wherein the gas flow rate measured by the gas measurement unit is Fg, and the room temperature liquid flow rate measured by the liquid measurement unit is Fw. The temperature of the normal temperature liquid obtained from the relational expression of the propagation velocity C is K1, the temperature of the liquid obtained by heating the normal temperature liquid by gas combustion is K2, the heat amount per unit flow rate of the gas is Q, and the thermal efficiency is In the case of R, the calculation unit
R = Fw · (K2−K1) / (Fg · Q)
It is characterized in that the thermal efficiency R is calculated using the above relational expression.

  A sixth aspect of the invention is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to the fifth aspect, further comprising thermal efficiency determination means for determining whether or not the thermal efficiency R calculated by the calculation unit is within a preset numerical range. It has features.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the liquid flow path is connected in the middle of the flow path through which the liquid flows and forms a part of the flow path through which the liquid flows. A pair of ultrasonic waves provided in the liquid measurement unit is provided with a configuration unit and a gas channel configuration unit that is connected in the middle of the channel through which the gas flows and forms part of the channel through which the gas flows. The transducer is disposed in the liquid flow path component, and the pair of ultrasonic transducers provided in the gas measurement unit is characterized in that it is disposed in the gas flow path component. Have

  The invention according to claim 8 is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the measured values of the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit are both within a preset numerical range. It is characterized in that it is provided with a measurement value judging means for judging whether or not.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 8, wherein the measurement unit for gas and the measurement unit for liquid for which the measurement value is determined by the measurement value determination unit are the flow channels for gas and liquid. Among these, it is characterized by being arranged upstream or downstream of the entire plurality of devices.

  A tenth aspect of the present invention is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to the eighth or ninth aspect, further comprising device usage determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined device is used according to a determination result of the measurement value determining means. It has features.

  The invention according to claim 11 is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the ratio between the measurement value of the gas measurement unit and the measurement value of the liquid measurement unit is a preset numerical range. It is characterized in that it is provided with a ratio determining means for determining whether or not it is within.

  The invention according to claim 12 is the ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 11, wherein the measurement unit for gas and the measurement unit for liquid for which the ratio of the measurement values is determined by the ratio determination means are gas communicated to a common device. It is characterized in that it is disposed in the flow path for liquid and liquid.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the liquid measuring section is disposed in each of a plurality of liquid flow paths connected to a common device, It has a feature in that it includes ratio determining means for determining whether or not the ratio of a plurality of measured values measured by the liquid measuring unit is within a preset numerical range.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the gas measurement units are respectively disposed in a plurality of gas flow paths connected to a common device, It is characterized in that a determination means for determining whether or not the ratio of a plurality of measurement values measured by the gas measurement unit is within a preset numerical range.

[Invention of Claim 1]
According to the invention according to claim 1 configured as described above, in the calculation unit, in the ultrasonic wave transmitter / receiver provided in the one connected by the switching unit between the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit. The flow velocity and / or flow rate are calculated based on the difference in arrival time of the ultrasonic waves. That is, since the flow velocity and / or flow rate of gas and the flow velocity and / or flow rate of liquid can be calculated by one calculation unit, it is not necessary to provide separate calculation units for gas and liquid. Therefore, the size of the ultrasonic flowmeter can be made smaller than the simple combination of the ultrasonic flowmeter for liquid and the ultrasonic flowmeter for gas, and the installation space can be kept smaller than before. be able to. Furthermore, compared with the case where separate calculation units are provided for gas and liquid, the cost of components applied to the calculation unit can be reduced.

[Invention of claim 2]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the gas flow rate and / or flow rate and the liquid flow rate and / or flow rate can be output to the communication line by one common communication means. There is no need to provide separate communication means. Therefore, the size of the ultrasonic flowmeter can be further reduced, and the installation space for the ultrasonic flowmeter can be further reduced. In addition, compared with the case where separate communication means are provided for gas and liquid, the cost of parts applied to the communication means can be suppressed.

[Invention of claim 3]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the gas flow rate and / or flow rate and the liquid flow rate and / or flow rate can be displayed on one common display unit. There is no need to provide a separate display unit for use. Therefore, the size of the ultrasonic flowmeter can be further reduced, and the installation space for the ultrasonic flowmeter can be further reduced. In addition, compared with the case where separate display portions are provided for gas and liquid, the cost of parts applied to the display portion can be suppressed.

[Invention of claim 4]
According to the invention of claim 4, the arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the forward direction is T1, the arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the reverse direction is T2, and the distance between the pair of ultrasonic transducers is d. When the propagation speed of C is C, the calculation unit is 1 / T1 + 1 / T2 = 2C / d
The propagation velocity C is calculated using the above relational expression, and the temperature of the gas and the liquid can be obtained from the relational expression of the propagation velocity C. Thereby, the temperature of gas and liquid can be measured, without providing the apparatus which measures temperature separately.

[Invention of claim 5]
According to the invention of claim 5, the flow rate of the gas measured by the gas measurement unit is Fg, the normal temperature liquid flow rate measured by the liquid measurement unit is Fw, and the propagation velocity C is obtained from the relational expression. When the temperature of the normal temperature liquid is K1, the temperature of the liquid obtained by heating the normal temperature liquid by gas combustion is K2, the amount of heat per unit flow rate of the gas is Q, and the thermal efficiency is R, the arithmetic unit is
R = Fw · (K2−K1) / (Fg · Q)
The thermal efficiency R is calculated using the above relational expression. That is, the thermal efficiency R at the time of making the liquid heated by gas combustion is computable.

[Invention of claim 6]
According to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to determine whether or not the thermal efficiency at the time of making the liquid heated by gas combustion is normal based on the determination result by the thermal efficiency determination means.

[Invention of Claim 7]
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the ultrasonic flowmeter simply connects the liquid flow path component in the middle of the flow path through which the liquid flows, and connects the gas flow path component in the middle of the flow path in which the gas flows. Since the ultrasonic transducer can be installed in each channel, the ultrasonic transducer can be easily installed in the channel.

[Inventions of Claims 8 and 10]
According to invention of Claim 8, it can be determined by the measured value determination means whether both the measured value of the measurement part for gas and the measurement part for liquid are in the preset numerical range. Here, the device use determining means determines whether or not a predetermined device has been used according to the determination result of the measurement value determining means, so compared with the case of determining from only one of the measured values, The use of a predetermined device can be determined more accurately (invention of claim 10).

[Invention of claim 9]
According to invention of Claim 9, the flow velocity and / or flow rate of the gas and liquid which are used by the whole some apparatus can be measured.

[Inventions of Claims 11 and 12]
According to the invention of claim 11, it is possible to determine whether or not the ratio between the measurement value of the gas measurement unit and the measurement value of the liquid measurement unit is within a preset numerical range by the ratio determination means. it can. Here, the measurement unit for gas and the measurement unit for liquid for which the ratio of the measurement values is determined by the ratio determination unit may be arranged in the gas and liquid flow channels communicated to a common device. In this way, it is possible to determine whether or not the state of the common device is normal based on the determination result by the ratio determining means (the invention of claim 12).

[Invention of Claim 13]
According to the invention of claim 13, the state of the common device is normal depending on whether or not the ratio of the measured values of the liquid measured by the plurality of liquid measuring units is within a preset numerical range. It can be determined whether or not.

[Invention of Claim 14]
According to invention of Claim 14, the state of a common apparatus is normal by whether the ratio of the measured value of the gas measured by the several measurement part for gas exists in the numerical value range set beforehand. It can be determined whether or not.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 of the present embodiment is attached in the middle of a water pipe 50 and a gas pipe 51, and measures the flow rate of water flowing through the water pipe 50 and gas flowing through the gas pipe 51. . The ultrasonic flowmeter 10 includes a pair of water pipe coupling portions 13 and 13 and a pair of gas pipe coupling portions 15 and 15.

  For example, a water pipe 50A extending into the residence is connected to one of the pair of water pipe coupling portions 13 and 13, and a water pipe 50B extending from, for example, a water supply is connected to the other water pipe coupling portion 13. . And the flow volume of the water which flows into a residence is measured.

  Further, for example, a gas pipe 51A extending into the residence is connected to one of the gas pipe coupling portions 15 and 15, and the other gas pipe coupling portion 15 is extended from a gas supply source such as city gas or LPG. A gas pipe 51B is connected. And the flow volume of the gas which flows into a residence is measured.

  The ultrasonic flow meter 10 is provided with a water flow path 11 (corresponding to the “liquid flow path constituting part” of the present invention) so as to connect the two water pipe coupling portions 13, 13. In the intermediate portion, a pair of ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B are provided along the water flow direction. As shown in FIG. 2, these ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B are controlled by a transmission / reception switching signal from the control unit 44, and when one becomes a transmitter, the other becomes a receiver, and at a predetermined timing, The transmitter and receiver are switched. Then, the detection signals of the ultrasonic transducers 20 </ b> A and 20 </ b> B as the wave receivers are taken into the clock counter 17 through the amplifier circuit 25.

  Similarly, a gas flow path 12 (corresponding to the “gas flow path component” of the present invention) is provided between the gas pipe coupling portions 15 and 15, and an intermediate portion of the gas flow path 12 is provided. Are provided with a pair of ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B along the gas flow direction. These ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B are also controlled by the control unit 44 (see FIG. 2), and the transmitter and the receiver are switched at a predetermined timing. Then, the detection signals of the ultrasonic transducers 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B as the wave receivers are taken into the clock counter 17 via the amplifier circuit 35. The water flow path 11 and the gas flow path 12 may be made of metal pipes. However, if flexible pipes having flexibility are used, the attachment work to the water pipe 50 and the gas pipe 51 becomes easier. Become. Even if the relative position between the water pipe 50 and the gas pipe 51 varies in each house, the flow paths 11 and 12 can be attached to the water pipe 50 and the gas pipe 51.

  The clock counter 17 includes a time until the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the upstream ultrasonic transducers 20A and 30A are received by the downstream ultrasonic transducers 20B and 30B (forward arrival time) and a downstream side. The time until the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducers 20B and 30B are received by the upstream ultrasonic transducers 20A and 30A (reverse direction arrival time) is counted.

  The arrival times in both the forward and reverse directions counted by the clock counter 17 are transmitted to the arithmetic processing unit 18 (corresponding to the “calculating unit” of the present invention). The arithmetic processing unit 18 calculates the difference between the forward arrival time and the reverse arrival time, and calculates the flow rate and flow rate of water and gas flowing in the water pipe 50 and the gas pipe 51 based on the difference. The calculation result in the calculation processing unit 18 is output to the display device 43 (corresponding to the “display unit” of the present invention), and the flow rate and flow rate of water and gas are displayed. The flow rate is obtained by multiplying the flow velocity by the cross-sectional area of each flow path 11, 12.

  Further, the arithmetic processing unit 18 is connected to a communication processing unit 41 (corresponding to “output unit” of the present invention) in which a communication modem (for example, “T-NCU”) is built, and communication processing is performed. Data can be transmitted and received between the arithmetic processing unit 18 and the management center 45 through the unit 41. Specifically, in the communication processing unit 41, the flow velocity value and the flow rate value of water and gas input from the arithmetic processing unit 18 are D / A converted and output to the communication line (for example, telephone line) 46.

  The clock counter 17, the arithmetic processing unit 18, the communication processing unit 41, the display unit 43, and the control unit 44 are mounted on the electronic board circuit 40 of the ultrasonic flowmeter 10. Electric power is supplied to the electronic board circuit 40 from the power supply unit 42 provided in the ultrasonic flowmeter 10. The electronic circuit board 40 and the power supply unit 42 are accommodated in a case (not shown).

  In addition, the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 of this embodiment is provided with a shut-off valve, a seismic sensor, and a pressure sensor (not shown). The seismoscope detects shaking caused by an earthquake or the like. The pressure sensor detects the gas pressure in the gas flow path 12. The shut-off valve is always open, and it is driven and closed when a shake due to an earthquake or the like is detected by the seismic sensor, or when an abnormal gas pressure is detected by the pressure sensor. Downstream of the sonic flow meter 10, that is, the gas flow into the residence is blocked.

Next, operation | movement of the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 of this embodiment is demonstrated.
The control unit 44 controls the measuring instrument switch SW5 to select an ultrasonic transducer that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The measuring instrument changeover switch SW5 is switched by the measuring instrument switching signal from the control unit 44. For example, when the control unit 44 is connected to the transmission circuit 23 as shown in FIG. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received between the wavers 20A and 20B. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls the switches SW1 and SW2 to connect the upstream ultrasonic transducer 20A to the transmission circuit 23 and to connect the downstream ultrasonic wave as shown in FIG. After the transmitter / receiver 20B is connected to the receiver circuit 24, a transmission command signal is output to the transmitter circuit 23. Then, the transmission circuit 23 drives the ultrasonic transducer 20A on the upstream side, and the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 20A on the upstream side to the ultrasonic transducer 20B on the downstream side at the same time. The counter 17 starts measuring time based on the clock pulse.

  The signal transmitted from the upstream ultrasonic transducer 20A is received by the downstream ultrasonic transducer 20B after a predetermined time. Then, the signal is input to the amplification circuit 25 from the reception circuit 24 connected to the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 20 </ b> B on the downstream side, amplified here, and input to the clock counter 17. Then, the clock counter 17 stops time measurement, outputs the measurement result to the arithmetic processing unit 18, and is reset to zero.

  When the measurement result is input to the arithmetic processing unit 18, the transmission circuit 23 stops driving the upstream ultrasonic transducer 20 </ b> A and then enters a waiting state for a transmission command signal output from the control unit 44. Further, a signal is transmitted from the arithmetic processing unit 18 to the control unit 44, and the control unit 44 drives the switches SW1 and SW2 due to the input of this signal. Then, the transmission circuit 23 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 20B on the downstream side, and the reception circuit 24 is connected to the ultrasonic transducer 20A on the upstream side.

  Next, the control unit 44 outputs a transmission command signal to the transmission circuit 23. As a result, this time, the same processing as described above is performed with the ultrasonic wave transmission direction reversed. Then, the arithmetic processing unit 18 obtains the difference between the count values of the clock counter 17 measured in both the forward direction and the reverse direction with respect to the flow of water, and the water flowing through the water pipe 50 based on the difference between the count values. Flow velocity and flow rate are calculated. Here, when the control unit 44 and the transmission circuit 23 are connected by the measuring instrument changeover switch SW5, the transmission command signal from the control unit 44 is not input to the transmission circuit 33. Transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is not performed between the received ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B.

  Now, when the above operation is repeated for one second, a measuring instrument switching signal is output from the control unit 44 again. Then, the measuring instrument changeover switch SW5 is switched, and the control unit 44 and the transmission circuit 33 are connected. Thereby, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves between the ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B provided in the gas flow path 12 is started. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the transmission circuit 33 and the upstream ultrasonic transducer 30A are connected, and the reception circuit 34 and the downstream ultrasonic transducer 30B are connected. . Then, a signal is transmitted from the upstream ultrasonic transducer 30A to the downstream ultrasonic transducer 30B, and the arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the forward direction is measured by the clock counter 17. Next, the switches SW3 and SW4 are switched by the transmission / reception switching signal from the control unit 44, and a signal is transmitted from the downstream ultrasonic transducer 30B to the upstream ultrasonic transducer 30A, and the clock counter 17 performs the reverse direction. The arrival time of the ultrasonic wave at is measured. Then, the difference in the count value of the clock counter 17 measured in both the forward direction and the reverse direction with respect to the gas flow is obtained by the arithmetic processing unit 18, and the gas flowing through the gas pipe 51 is determined based on the difference in the count value. Flow velocity and flow rate are calculated. In addition, when the gas flow velocity / flow rate is calculated, transmission / reception of ultrasonic waves is not performed between the ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B provided in the water flow path 11.

  When the above operation is repeated for 1 second, the measuring instrument change-over switch SW5 is switched again, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received between the ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B provided in the water flow path 11, and the water pipe The flow velocity / flow rate of the water flowing through 50 is calculated. That is, the flow rate / flow rate of the water flowing through the water pipe 50 and the flow rate / flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas pipe 51 are alternately calculated by the single processing unit 18 every second. The control unit 44 and the switch SW5 correspond to the “switching means” of the present invention. Further, the entire transmission circuit 23, reception circuit 24, ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B, and switches SW1 and SW2 correspond to the “liquid measuring unit” of the present invention, and the transmission circuit 33 and the reception circuit 34. The ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B and the switches SW3 and SW4 as a whole correspond to the “gas measuring unit” of the present invention.

Further, the arithmetic processing unit 18 calculates the temperature of water and gas as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic arrival time when the ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the upstream ultrasonic transducers 20A and 30A toward the downstream ultrasonic transducers 20B and 30B is expressed as T1. And T2 is the arrival time of the ultrasonic waves when transmitting the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducers 20B and 30B on the downstream side toward the ultrasonic transducers 20A and 30A on the upstream side, and the ultrasonic transmission / reception on the upstream side When the distance between the wave transducers 20A, 30A and the downstream ultrasonic transducers 20B, 30B is d, the speed of sound C in water and gas is expressed by the following relational expression 1 / T1 + 1 / T2 = 2C / d
Is calculated from Then, the arithmetic processing unit 18 calculates the temperature of water or gas based on a data table reflecting a relational expression or a relational curve between the temperature in the liquid and the gas and the speed of sound C, which is known in a scientific chronology, for example. doing.

  The flow rate, flow rate, and temperature of water and gas calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 18 (hereinafter, these three are collectively referred to as “measurement values”) are output to the display unit 43. In the display device 43, the measurement value related to water and the measurement value related to gas are displayed on the same screen. Thereby, compared with the case where separate displays are provided for water and gas, the size of the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 can be made compact, and the cost of parts applied to the display can be suppressed. Moreover, since the flow rate of both water and gas can be confirmed with the same indicator 43, the efficiency of water and gas meter reading operations can be improved. The display 43 may be provided with a display switching button, and each time the display switching button is pressed, the measured value related to water and the measured value related to gas may be switched and displayed, or the flow velocity / flow rate / temperature may be displayed. The display contents may be switched in this order.

  The measured values of water and gas calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 18 are also output to the communication processing unit 41. The communication processing unit 41 D / A converts the measured values of water and gas input from the arithmetic processing unit 18 and outputs them to the telephone line 46. Here, since the communication processing unit 41 can output both measured values of water and gas, the size of the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 can be increased compared to the case where separate communication processing units are provided for water and gas. While being able to make compact, the component cost concerning a communication processing part can be held down. And in the management center 45, the measured value of the water and gas from the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 with which each house was equipped can be managed collectively.

  By the way, in the ultrasonic flowmeter 10, based on the flow velocity / flow rate / temperature of the water flowing through the water pipe 50 calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 18 and the flow velocity / flow rate / temperature of the gas flowing through the gas pipe 51, The processing described in (a) to (h) can be performed.

(A) In the hot water supply facility 70 shown in FIG. 4, the thermal efficiency of the hot water supply facility 70 is calculated from the temperature difference between the normal temperature water flowing through the water pipe 50 and the hot water supplied from the hot water supply facility 70, and becomes a preset reference thermal efficiency. The presence or absence of abnormality of the hot water supply equipment can be determined by comparing with the numerical value.

Specifically, the flow rate of the gas flowing through the gas pipe 51 is Fg, the flow rate of the normal temperature water flowing through the water pipe 50 is Fw, the temperature is K1, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the hot water supply facility 70 is K2, and When the heat quantity per unit flow rate is Q, the arithmetic processing unit 18
R = Fw · (K2−K1) / (Fg · Q)
The thermal efficiency R is calculated using the above relational expression, and if this thermal efficiency R is a case where a numerical range preset for the hot water supply facility 70 (for example, “13A” city gas is used, 0 is used. .6 to 0.8) (corresponding to "thermal efficiency determination means" of the present invention). For example, when the calculated thermal efficiency R is out of this numerical range, it is determined that the hot water supply facility 70 is abnormal. Here, the temperature K1 of the normal temperature water and the temperature K2 of the hot water are, as described above, the relationship between the acoustic velocity C in the liquid and the ultrasonic arrival times T1, T2 and the distance d of the ultrasonic transducer 1 / T1 + 1 / T2 = 2C / d
Therefore, it is calculated based on a data table reflecting the relational expression or relational curve between the temperature in the liquid and the speed of sound C, so that it is not necessary to separately provide a thermometer device for measuring the water temperatures K1, K2.

(B) An optimum gas flow rate is calculated based on the temperature difference between the hot water supply temperature set by the user of the hot water supply facility 70 and the temperature of normal temperature water flowing through the water pipe 50 and the flow rate, and is compared with the actually measured gas flow rate. Thus, it can be checked whether or not the gas flow rate is within an appropriate range.

Specifically, when the flow rate of normal temperature water flowing through the water pipe 50 is Fw, the temperature is K1, the set hot water supply temperature is K3, and the heat quantity per unit flow rate of the gas is Q, the arithmetic processing unit 18 is ,
Fr = (K3-K1) · Fw / Q
The theoretical optimum gas flow rate Fr is obtained using the above relational expression, and compared with the actually measured gas flow rate Fg flowing through the gas pipe 51. Here, it is determined whether or not the actually measured gas flow rate Fg is within the optimum gas flow rate range, with an optimum gas flow rate range between an upper limit value and a lower limit value obtained by adding / subtracting a predetermined value to / from the optimum gas flow rate Fr. You may make it do. Then, when the actually measured gas flow rate Fg deviates from this optimum gas flow rate range, the arithmetic processing unit 18 determines that the hot water supply facility 70 is abnormal. Here, as described above, the temperature K1 of the normal temperature water is a relational expression between the ultrasonic wave arrival times T1 and T2 and the distance d of the ultrasonic transducer 1 / T1 + 1 / T2 = 2C / d
Since it is calculated based on the data table reflecting the relational expression or the relational curve between the temperature in the liquid and the sound velocity C, there is no need to separately provide a temperature measuring device for measuring the water temperature K1.

(C) In recent years, household fuel cells using city gas are becoming widespread, and hot water may be produced using heat generated from the fuel cells. For example, when using hot water until it reaches the set hot water temperature, the optimum gas flow rate is calculated from the temperature difference between the hot water temperature and the set hot water temperature, and the actual gas flow rate is measured. Compared to the value, it can be detected whether the gas is flowing excessively.

  More specifically, when hot water is supplied to a bath with a hot water supply facility, the hot water supply amount and the hot water supply temperature are usually set in advance, so the necessary difference from the temperature difference between the hot water and the set hot water supply temperature and the hot water supply amount is necessary. The theoretical value of the gas flow rate is obtained. And it is discriminate | determined whether gas was flowed excessively by comparing this theoretical value and the measured value of gas flow rate. Thereby, abnormalities, such as a gas leak and the fall of the thermal efficiency of a hot water supply equipment, can be detected.

(D) Conventionally, the gas equipment in which the gas is used has been specified based on the gas flow rate. According to this embodiment, the gas device is based on the gas flow rate and the water flow rate. Can be used to identify the gas equipment used. For example, when a plurality of gas appliances are used at the same time, it is difficult to identify the gas appliance used by only the gas flow rate information, but whether or not water is used (whether the water flow rate is “0”). Whether or not the gas is used in a hot water supply facility or whether it is used in a gas stove or a gas stove can be determined. Similarly, the equipment in which water is used can be specified. For example, when water and gas are used, it is determined that water is used in a hot water supply facility. When water is used and the gas flow rate is “0”, water is used in a flush toilet or the like. Can be judged.

(E) Based on the gas flow rate and the water flow rate, the hot water supply destination can be specified by the hot water supply facility. For example, when a large amount of hot water having a relatively low temperature (for example, about 40 ° C.) is used, that is, when the gas flow rate is relatively small and the water flow rate is relatively large, the hot water is filled in the bath. When a relatively small amount of hot water having a relatively low temperature is used, that is, when both the gas flow rate and the water flow rate are relatively small, it is determined that the hot water is supplied to the shower or kitchen, and a relatively high temperature (for example, When a large amount of hot water (about 60 to 80 ° C.) is used, that is, when both the gas flow rate and the water flow rate are relatively large, it is determined that the hot water is supplied to the hot water floor heater or bathroom heater. be able to. It should be noted that the optimum thermal efficiency is determined in advance according to the hot water supply destination, and compared with the actual thermal efficiency R calculated by the above-described relational expression, it is determined whether or not the hot water supply facility is operating normally. May be.

(F) Conventionally, the user's health condition has been grasped based on the gas flow rate. This was determined as “abnormal” when the gas was continuously used for a predetermined time or longer or when the gas flow exceeded a predetermined flow rate. On the other hand, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to grasp a user's health state based on the flow rate of water and the flow rate of gas. For example, “abnormal” may be determined when the flow rate of at least one of water and gas is “0” for a predetermined period or more, or is equal to or higher than a preset flow rate. In this way, the user's health condition can be grasped more accurately than when the user's health condition is determined only by the gas flow rate.

(G) When the flow rate of water is “0” for a predetermined period and the flow velocity or flow rate of the gas is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, it is determined that the gas is leaking or empty, or the gas flow rate is determined for a predetermined period. May be determined as leakage from the water pipe 50 or driving of the gas shut-off valve when the water flow rate or flow rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

(H) When the water temperature calculated by the arithmetic processing unit 18 is close to 0 °, the freeze prevention information of the water pipe 50 can be displayed on the display 43 or notified to the management center 45.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in one common arithmetic processing unit 18, both the measurement value (flow rate / flow velocity / temperature) related to water and the measurement value (flow rate / flow velocity / temperature) related to gas are calculated. Therefore, the size of the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 can be made smaller than the conventional combination of a flowmeter for water (liquid) and a flowmeter for gas (gas). Space can be kept smaller than before. In addition, the measured values of water and gas are displayed on the common single display 43 and are output from the common single communication processing unit 41 to the telephone line 46. Can be made more compact.

  Further, the ultrasonic flowmeter connects the water pipe coupling parts 13 and 13 of the water flow path 11 to the water pipes 50A and 50B, and connects the gas pipe coupling parts 15 and 15 of the gas flow path 12 to the gas pipes 51A and 51B. Since the ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B and the ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B can be installed in the water pipe 50 and the gas pipe 51, respectively, the water pipe 50 and the gas pipe of the ultrasonic flow meter 10 can be installed. The attachment to 51 becomes easy.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 of the present invention is attached to the fuel cell system. Since other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and duplicate descriptions are omitted.

  In FIG. 5, reference numeral 100 denotes a so-called polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) system (hereinafter simply referred to as “fuel cell system”). The fuel cell system 100 includes various devices such as a reformer 101, a battery stack 103, and an inverter 104.

  For example, the reformer 110 reforms city gas to generate hydrogen gas, and supplies the generated hydrogen gas to the battery stack 103. The battery stack 103 reacts the supplied hydrogen gas and oxygen gas to generate electricity and outputs it to the inverter 104. The inverter 104 converts direct current electricity output from the battery stack 103 into alternating current and outputs the alternating current.

  A gas supply pipe 110A through which city gas flows is connected to the reformer 101, and a water supply pipe 111 and an air supply pipe 112 through which water and air used for gas reforming are connected. Further, a burner gas pipe 110B for supplying city gas and a burner air pipe 113 for supplying air are connected to the heating burner 102.

  The reformer 101 and the battery stack 103 are connected by a hydrogen gas pipe 114, and the hydrogen gas generated by the reformer 101 is supplied from the hydrogen gas pipe 114 to the battery stack 103. In addition to the hydrogen gas pipe 114, the battery stack 103 is supplied to the battery stack 103 and a residual hydrogen gas pipe 115 for supplying the hydrogen gas remaining when the battery stack 103 generates electricity to the burner 102. A humidification pipe 116 extending from a humidifier (not shown) for humidifying the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas is connected.

  Further, the fuel cell system 100 includes a heat exchanger 105 for recovering heat generated from the battery stack 103, and a cooling pipe 117 provided between the heat exchanger 105 and the battery stack 103. Cooling water circulates inside. Further, in the heat exchanger 105, warm water is produced by heating normal temperature water using heat recovered from the battery stack 103. Hot water produced by the heat exchanger 105 is sent to the hot water storage tank 106 through a hot water pipe 118. Then, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 106 is supplied with hot water into a residence, for example.

  Now, in this embodiment, the gas flow path 12 with which the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 was equipped is connected in the middle of gas supply piping 110A for supplying city gas to the reformer 101, and the water flow path 11 is It is connected in the middle of a water supply pipe 111 through which water for gas reforming flows. Then, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received between the ultrasonic transducers 30 </ b> A and 30 </ b> B provided in the gas flow path 12, and the flow rate and flow rate of the city gas supplied to the reformer 101 by the arithmetic processing unit 18. Is calculated. In addition, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received between the ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B provided in the water flow path 11, and the flow rate of the water for gas reforming supplied to the reformer 101 by the arithmetic processing unit 18 is obtained.・ Flow rate is calculated.

  By the way, the arithmetic processing unit 18 is provided with a data table (not shown) that stores the flow rate of the city gas supplied to the reformer 101 and the flow rate of water for gas reforming in association with each other. Specifically, a plurality of gas flow rates are set, a reference flow rate of reforming water is obtained from the gas flow rate, and an upper limit reference value and a lower limit reference value obtained by adding or subtracting a predetermined value to the reforming water reference flow rate are obtained. These are stored in a data table corresponding to the gas flow rate. The arithmetic processing unit 18 compares the measured flow rate of city gas and the flow rate of water for gas reforming with the data table. That is, check whether the measured gas flow rate is within a preset numerical range and whether the flow rate of reforming water is within the numerical range set corresponding to the measured gas flow rate. (Corresponding to “measurement value determination means” of the present invention). That is, it is determined whether or not both the gas flow rate and the water flow rate are within a preset numerical range.

  When the measured flow rate of city gas and the flow rate of water for gas reforming are both within a preset numerical range, it is determined that the reformer 101 is normal. On the other hand, when at least one of the flow rate of city gas and the flow rate of water for gas reforming is out of the preset numerical range, the reformer 101 (fuel cell system 100) is The communication processing unit 41 and the display device 43 are configured to notify the abnormality by judging that it is abnormal.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the measured flow rate of city gas and the flow rate of water for gas reforming are both within a preset numerical range, and the determination result Based on the above, it can be determined whether or not the reformer 101 is normal.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the fuel cell system 100 and the hot water supply equipment 70 are connected to a common gas pipe 51 and water pipe 50. The ultrasonic flowmeter 10 is connected to the upstream side of the fuel cell system 100 and the hot water supply equipment 70 in the gas pipe 51 and the water pipe 50, and uses water and city used in the hot water supply equipment 70 and the fuel cell system 100. Measures gas flow rate and flow rate. Other configurations are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.

  In the arithmetic processing unit 18 provided in the ultrasonic flow meter 10, for example, a reference flow rate range of gas and water when the fuel cell system 100 is operated is stored in advance. Then, it is determined whether or not both the gas flow rate and the water flow rate actually measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 are within the reference flow rate range (corresponding to “measurement value determination means” of the present invention), and the determination is made. Based on the result, it is determined whether or not the gas and water are used in the fuel cell system 100 (corresponding to the “predetermined device” of the present invention) (corresponding to the “device use determining means” of the present invention). ).

  Here, a reference ratio range (a “preset numerical range” of the present invention) obtained by adding and subtracting a predetermined value to the theoretical gas and water flow ratio when the fuel cell system 100 is operated is set in advance. The arithmetic processing unit 18 determines whether or not the ratio of the gas flow rate to the water flow rate actually measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 is within the reference ratio range (corresponding to the “ratio determination unit” of the present invention). You may make it do. In this case, the fuel cell system 100 is the “common device” of the present invention, the gas pipe 51 is the “flow passage for gas connected to the common device” of the present invention, and the water pipe 50 is the “common device” of the present invention. It corresponds to the “fluid channel for communication with a common device”.

  That is, according to the present embodiment, when a plurality of devices that use water and city gas at the same time are connected to a common flow path, the flow values or flow rates of water and city gas measured by the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 are measured. Based on the ratio, it can be determined whether or not a predetermined device has been used.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. For example, the embodiments described below are also included in the technical scope of the present invention, and various other than the following can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It can be changed and implemented.
(1) In the said 1st-3rd embodiment, although it measured about city gas, you may measure other gas. Moreover, you may measure not only water but another liquid.

(2) In the first to third embodiments, the flow velocity and the flow rate of the gas flowing in one gas pipe 51 and the water flowing in one water pipe 50 are measured. You may make it measure the flow velocity and flow volume about the water which flows through a some water pipe.

(3) In the first to third embodiments, the measurement value of water and the measurement value of gas are configured to be displayed on the common display 43, but are displayed on separate displays. May be.

(4) In the first to third embodiments, the ultrasonic transducers 20A and 20B provided in the water channel 11 and the ultrasonic transducers 30A and 30B provided in the gas channel 12 are switched every second. However, it may be switched every 0.5 seconds or every 2 seconds.

(5) In the second and third embodiments, the ultrasonic flowmeter 10 of the present invention is attached to a so-called solid polymer fuel cell, but other types (phosphoric acid type, molten carbonate type, It may be attached to a fuel cell of a solid electrolyte type or the like.

(6) In the second and third embodiments, the gas supplied to the reformer 101 is city gas, but it may be LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) or LNG (liquefied natural gas).

(7) In the second embodiment, the flow rate of the city gas flowing through the gas supply pipe 110A and the water for reforming flowing through the water supply pipe 111 is measured. It is not limited to.

  For example, at least any two fluids of city gas flowing through the gas supply pipe 110A, reforming air flowing through the air supply pipe 112, reforming water flowing through the water supply pipe 111, and hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas pipe 114 Measurement may be performed, and the state of the reformer 101 may be determined based on the measured values. Further, at least any two of the city gas flowing through the burner gas pipe 110B, the air flowing through the burner air pipe 113, and the hydrogen gas flowing through the residual hydrogen gas pipe 115 are measured, and the burner is measured based on the measured values. The state of 102 may be determined. Further, at least any two fluids of the hydrogen gas flowing through the hydrogen gas pipe 114, the humidifying water flowing through the humidifying pipe 116, and the hydrogen gas flowing through the residual hydrogen gas pipe 115 are measured, and the battery stack is determined from these measured values. The state 103 may be determined. Further, the cooling water flowing through the cooling pipe 117 and the hot water flowing through the hot water pipe 118 may be measured. Note that the state of the fuel cell system 100 or its constituent devices 101, 102, 103, 105, 106 may be determined by a combination other than the above.

(8) In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the measured flow rates of city gas and water for reforming are both within a preset numerical range. Or you may make it determine whether the ratio of flow volume is calculated | required and the ratio is in the numerical value range set beforehand.

  For example, in the arithmetic processing unit 18, the ratio of the flow rate or flow rate of the city gas supplied from the gas supply pipe 110 </ b> A to the reformer 101 and the water for reforming supplied from the water supply pipe 111 to the reformer 101 is It may be determined whether or not it is within a preset numerical range.

  More specifically, a reference ratio range obtained by adding / subtracting a predetermined value to / from the theoretical flow rate of city gas and reforming water when the fuel cell system 100 is operated (“preset numerical range” of the present invention) ) Is set in advance, and the arithmetic processing unit 18 determines whether or not the ratio between the city gas flow rate actually measured by the ultrasonic flow meter 10 and the reforming water flow rate is within the reference ratio range. And based on this determination result, you may make it determine whether the state of the reformer 101 (equivalent to the "common apparatus" concerning this invention) is normal.

  In this case, the water supply pipe 111 is a “liquid flow path communicated to a common device” according to the present invention, and the gas supply pipe 110A is a “gas flow line communicated to a common device” according to the present invention. In the “flow path”, the arithmetic processing unit 18 corresponds to the “ratio determination means” of the present invention.

The block diagram of the ultrasonic flowmeter concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. Ultrasonic flow meter block diagram Cross-sectional side view of flow path equipped with ultrasonic transducer Block diagram of an ultrasonic flow meter attached to a hot water supply facility Block diagram of an ultrasonic flowmeter according to the second embodiment Block diagram of ultrasonic flowmeter according to the third embodiment

Explanation of symbols

10 Ultrasonic flow meter 11 Water flow path (liquid flow path component)
12 Gas channel (Gas channel component)
18 Arithmetic processing part (calculation part, ratio determination means)
20A, 20B ultrasonic transducer 30A, 30B ultrasonic transducer 41 Communication processing unit (output means)
43 Display (display unit)
50 Water pipe (flow path through which liquid flows)
51 Gas pipe (flow path through which gas flows)

Claims (14)

A gas measurement unit provided in a flow path through which the gas flows;
A liquid measurement unit provided in a flow path through which the liquid flows;
Provided in each of the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit and arranged separately on the upstream side and the downstream side of the flow path, and along the forward direction along the flow of the gas or the liquid A pair of ultrasonic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in both directions opposite to the flow,
A calculation unit that calculates a difference between arrival times of the ultrasonic waves in the forward direction and the reverse direction between the pair of ultrasonic transducers;
A switching means for alternately switching the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit to connect to the calculation unit;
The calculation unit calculates the flow velocity and / or flow rate of the gas based on the difference in arrival time of the ultrasonic wave when connected to the gas measurement unit, and reaches the ultrasonic wave when connected to the liquid measurement unit. An ultrasonic flowmeter configured to calculate the flow velocity and / or flow rate of the liquid based on a time difference.   The common output means which outputs the flow velocity and / or flow rate of the gas calculated by the calculation unit and the flow velocity and / or flow rate of the liquid to a communication line is provided. Ultrasonic flow meter.   The common display part which displays the flow velocity and / or flow volume of the gas computed by the operation part, and the flow velocity and / or flow volume of the liquid is provided. Ultrasonic flow meter. The pair of ultrasonic transducers provided in the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit are arranged in parallel with the flow direction of the gas and liquid, respectively.
The arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the forward direction is T1,
The arrival time of the ultrasonic wave in the reverse direction is T2,
The interval between the ultrasonic transducers is d,
If the ultrasonic propagation velocity is C,
The computing unit is
1 / T1 + 1 / T2 = 2C / d
The propagation speed C is calculated using the relational expression, and the temperature of the gas and the liquid is calculated from the relational expression of the propagation speed C. 4. The described ultrasonic flowmeter. The gas flow rate measured by the gas measurement unit is Fg,
The flow rate of the liquid at room temperature measured by the liquid measuring unit is Fw,
The temperature of the room temperature liquid obtained from the relational expression of the propagation velocity C is K1,
The temperature of the liquid obtained by heating the room temperature liquid by the combustion of the gas is K2,
Let Q be the amount of heat per unit flow rate of the gas,
When the thermal efficiency is R, the calculation unit is
R = Fw · (K2−K1) / (Fg · Q)
The ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 4, wherein the thermal efficiency R is calculated using the relational expression.   The ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 5, further comprising a thermal efficiency determination unit that determines whether the thermal efficiency R calculated by the calculation unit is within a preset numerical range. A liquid flow path component that is connected to the flow path of the liquid and forms a part of the flow path of the liquid;
Connected to the middle of the flow path through which the gas flows, and is provided with a gas flow path component that constitutes a part of the flow path through which the gas flows,
The pair of ultrasonic transducers provided in the liquid measurement unit is disposed in the liquid flow path component and the pair of ultrasonic transmission / reception units provided in the gas measurement unit. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a vessel is disposed in the gas flow path component.   8. A measurement value determining means for determining whether or not the measurement values of the gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit are both within preset numerical ranges. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of the above.   The measurement unit for gas and the measurement unit for liquid whose measurement values are determined by the measurement value determination unit are arranged upstream or downstream of the entire plurality of devices in the gas and liquid channels. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 8, wherein   The ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising device usage determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined device is used according to a determination result of the measurement value determining means.   The ratio determination means for determining whether or not the ratio between the measurement value of the gas measurement unit and the measurement value of the liquid measurement unit is within a preset numerical range. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of 1 to 10.   The gas measurement unit and the liquid measurement unit for which the ratio of measured values is determined by the ratio determination unit are arranged in gas and liquid flow paths that are connected to a common device. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to claim 11. The liquid measuring units are respectively arranged in a plurality of liquid flow paths communicated to a common device,
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising ratio determining means for determining whether a ratio of a plurality of measured values measured by the plurality of liquid measuring units is within a preset numerical range. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of the above. The gas measurement units are respectively arranged in a plurality of gas flow paths communicated to a common device,
The ratio determining means for determining whether or not the ratio of the plurality of measurement values measured by the plurality of gas measuring units is within a preset numerical range. The ultrasonic flowmeter according to any one of 10.

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