KR101568806B1 - An all in one remote metering apparatus having a function of compensating temperature and pressure errors for a gasmeter - Google Patents

Abstract

A gas sensing unit for measuring the gas consumption of the gas supply pipe, a temperature sensing unit for measuring the gas temperature of the gas supply pipe, a pressure sensing unit for measuring the gas pressure of the gas supply pipe, a power supply unit, And a sleep mode in which the meter reading is performed using the power of the power supply unit based on the gas measurement temperature and the measured pressure in the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit, and a sleep mode in which power use is minimized And a control unit for controlling the operation and correcting the metering value in the gas metering section when the gas measuring temperature and the measuring pressure are out of the allowable range.

Description

{An all in one remote metering apparatus having a compensating temperature and pressure errors for a gas meter}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to an integrated meter reading device, and more particularly, to a gas meter equipped with a self-calibrating pressure sensor integrated with a gas meter and a pressure compensator.

The supply system of city gas is based on a certain weight, but when it is supplied to a general customer, it is in a gaseous state, so that a simple metering device can not measure the weight of city gas. Urban gas suppliers use capacitive gas meters to measure the volume and to supply the customer with constant temperature and pressure. In particular, a gas meter, which is a kind of capacity type, occupies the most part for the household city gas meter.

There is an irregular error between the amount of gas purchased by KOGAS and the amount of gas sold to its customers. There are various causes of the error between the purchase amount and the sales amount of the city gas company. The main reason for this is the error between the temperature and pressure reference value applied when the city gas company sends gas from the local transformer to each customer and the temperature and pressure value during actual weighing at the customer's gas meter. In Korea, the reference temperature and pressure are 0 ° C and 1 atm, and the gas is sent at a gauge pressure of 20-25 mbar in the regulator considering the reduction of the gas pressure from the regulator to the gas meter of each customer. Since the density of the gas changes due to the ambient temperature and the atmospheric pressure during the transportation of the city gas to each customer through the pipe, the meter reading value of the gas meter is changed by the season, day and night. Also, since the internal volume measuring vessel of the capacity type gas meter is flexible, the reading value varies depending on the temperature and the pressure of the surroundings. This causes economic loss for the supplier or the customer. Other causes of weighing error include the tolerance of the membrane gas meter installed in each customer, and finally gas leakage.

In consideration of this point, conventionally, a sensor for measuring the temperature and pressure of the supply gas is separately installed, and a pressure compensator for receiving the measured value from each sensor and correcting the meter reading value measured by the gas meter is connected to the gas meter A configuration in which it is separately installed and operated has been proposed. The corrected meter reading value is supplied to the gas supply company through the communication unit and managed.

However, in the conventional remote meter reading apparatus as described above, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor and a compensator must be provided separately from the gas meter, and an interface between the gas meter and the correction period and an interface between each sensor and the compensator are required, There is a problem that the volume is increased and the cost is increased due to the complexity and the large number of parts.

In addition, a magnetic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a pulse counter, or the like is usually used for the interface. When data is transmitted through such an interface, errors can be generated.

In addition, in the conventional case, since a separate compensator is provided to continuously perform meter reading and communication, a large amount of electric power is required, and a power supply part including a plug for connecting to an outlet is required. Therefore, there is a problem that the configuration is complicated and the power consumption is increased with restrictions on the installation position.

Korean Patent No. 10-0811239 (Registered Date Feb. 29, 2008) Korean Registered Patent No. 10-0553579 (registered date February 13, 2006)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to reduce the size and cost by integrating the gas meter function and the pressure correction function, and to improve the maintenance cost and low- It is an object of the present invention to provide a gas meter integrated with a calibration.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas pressure metering integral gas meter mounted on a remote meter reading apparatus, comprising: a gas meter for measuring a gas consumption amount through a gas supply pipe; A temperature sensing unit for measuring a gas temperature of the gas supply pipe; A pressure sensing unit for measuring a gas pressure of the gas supply pipe; Power supply; A communication unit for providing meter reading information through an external gas supplier server and a communication network; And a sleep mode in which the meter reading is performed using the power of the power supply unit based on the gas sensing temperature and the measurement pressure in the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit, and a sleep mode in which power use is minimized And a control unit for correcting the metering value in the gas metering unit when the gas measuring temperature and the measured pressure are out of the allowable range.

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the measured value of each of the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit is determined to be out of a predetermined allowable range, the control unit controls the power supply unit A pressure correction unit operable to calculate a pressure correction coefficient at the time of operation to correct the weight value in the gas meter unit; When the measured value of at least one of the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit is out of the predetermined allowable range, the control unit switches to the meter reading mode to supply the power of the power supply unit to the pressure correction unit and the communication unit, The control unit switches off the supply of power to the pressure correction unit and the communication unit and switches the mode to the sleep mode.

The control unit may further include a charge calculating unit that receives the gas charge reference value from the gas supplier server and calculates a gas charge in units of charge, and the user can check the gas charge calculated in the charge calculating unit And an output unit for outputting and displaying the information.

The system further includes an output unit which is calculated from a rate unit (denominated unit) according to the gas usage amount from the gas supplier server, receives the gas fee received from the gas supplier server through the communication unit, It is good to do.

In addition,

It is preferable to include at least one of a secondary battery and a solar cell.

According to the integrated gas pressure gauge integrated with a remote control device of the present invention, since the gas meter unit and the pressure correction unit are integrally formed, the size of the product can be reduced, and the production cost of the product can be reduced without being restricted by the installation position have.

In addition, due to the integration of the components, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of errors (errors) in data transmission as well as power consumption through the interface, thereby enhancing the reliability of the products.

In addition, the power control unit is provided to selectively control the operation of the communication unit and the pressure compensator according to the measured gas temperature and gas pressure, thereby minimizing power consumption during operation of the product. Thus, It is possible to operate the power supply for a sufficient time.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a gas pressure gauge integrated with a remote control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the integrated pressure gage integrated pressure gauging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a schematic block diagram showing a gas pressure gauge integrated with a remote meter reading apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the gas meter 100 includes a gas meter 110, a temperature sensing unit (not shown) 120, a pressure sensing unit 130, a power supply unit 140, a communication unit 150, and a control unit 160.

The gas meter unit 110 is for measuring a gas capacity passing through a gas supply pipe of a gas consumer, and may have a configuration of a turbine meter, a rotary meter, a diaphragm meter and the like. The measured gas consumption is measured by the number of revolutions of a number wheel or a rotating needle, and is measured by a mechanical gas meter which represents the measured value by a numeral wheel train, or an electronic gas The expression system of the meter may be applied.

The temperature sensing unit 120 measures the temperature of the gas in the gas supply pipe of the customer, and transfers the measurement value to the control unit 160.

The pressure sensing unit 130 measures the pressure of the gas in the gas supply pipe of the customer and transmits the measured value to the control unit 160. The temperature sensing unit 120 and the pressure sensing unit 130 may be integrated with the gas meter unit 110 and may be disposed inside or outside the gas supply pipe.

The power supply unit 140 supplies at least one of a secondary battery 141 and a solar battery 142 to supply the power for the meter reading operation, the pressure correction operation, and the communication operation of the remote meter reading apparatus 100 can do. The secondary battery 141 may be charged through the solar cell 142, and the solar cell 142 may obtain electric power through the sunlight. Accordingly, it is possible to omit components such as a cable and a plug for supplying external power for receiving power through a socket as in the prior art, so that the installation position of the meter reading device 100 is not limited, Can be reduced and the maintenance cost can be reduced. The reason why the gas meter unit 110, the temperature sensing unit 120, and the pressure sensing unit 130 can be operated by the control unit (not shown) 160, it is possible to exclude an interface communication function consuming a large amount of power as in the prior art, so that power consumption can be remarkably reduced. In addition, the control unit 160 divides the meter reading function into the sleep mode and the meter reading mode so as to restrict the communication function between the meter reading function and the gas supplier server 220, thereby further reducing power consumption.

The communication unit 150 provides the gas usage amount measurement information to the gas supplier server 220 through the wired or wireless communication network 210. The communication unit 150 may also provide information to the contact computer 230 through the communication network 210. In this case, the communication network 210 may include an Internet network. The contact person may access the home page of the Internet, Information can be confirmed.

The control unit 160 includes a pressure correction unit 161 and a power control unit 163.

The pressure correction unit 161 corrects the measured value measured by the gas meter unit 110 based on the measured values measured by the temperature sensing unit 120 and the pressure sensing unit 130, respectively. That is, when it is assumed that the reference environment for measuring the gas is calculated under the condition that the temperature of the supplied gas is 0 ° C and the pressure is 1 atm, the pressure correction unit 161 sets the allowable range Range), the pressure correction section 161 corrects the metering value (volume) of the supply gas under the conditions of the reference environment according to the measured temperature and pressure. At this time, the pressure correction coefficient for correcting the metering value according to the measured temperature and the measured pressure can be calculated. The pressure correction coefficient is a value having the 'expansion / contraction ratio' of the gas according to the pressure error, Can be calculated using the equation relating to temperature and pressure. Equation [V = f (Z, T, P) & Z = g using the ideal gas equation [V = RT / P], the equation of Vardwald [V = f T, P, gas species)] can be used as 'equations for gas volume and temperature and pressure'.

As one example, the on-pressure correction coefficient Ktp can be calculated by the following equation (1). In the equation (1), P is the instantaneous pressure of the gas (Pa), and T is the instantaneous temperature (K) of the gas. Equation (1) is obtained by using Boyle-Charles's law (Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0811239).

In order to perform the arithmetic processing according to such logic, the pressure correction unit 161 includes a memory for performing calculations necessary for calculating the pressure correction coefficient and the correction metering value, and providing a data storage space necessary for the calculation and data storage as described above can do. Thus, the pressure correction unit 161 obtains a correction metering value that corrects the pressure error included in the metering value of the gas meter 110 according to the measured temperature and pressure. Such correction of the pressure error is controlled so as to be performed only when the measured temperature and pressure deviate from the allowable range. Therefore, only when it is determined that the measured values in the temperature sensing unit 120 and the pressure sensing unit 130 are out of the predetermined allowable range, the power is supplied to the pressure correction unit 161 to be switched to the meter reading mode The pressure correction unit 161 is operated to calculate the pressure correction coefficient and correct the weight value in the gas meter unit 110. [

Here, a specific method of calculating the on-air pressure correction coefficient by the on-air pressure correction unit 161 and correcting the metering value in accordance with the calculated value is applicable to those skilled in the art from known technologies such as the registered patent No. 10-1153173, The description is omitted.

The power control unit 163 selectively supplies power to the power supply unit 140 to the power control unit 161 and the communication unit 150 to minimize power consumption. The power control unit 163 switches to the meter reading mode only when it is determined that the values measured by the temperature sensing unit 120 and the pressure sensing unit 130 are out of the allowable range, In other cases, the power supply is switched to the sleep mode, and the supply of power to the pressure correction unit 161 and the communication unit 150 is cut off, thereby drastically reducing the power consumption.

Here, the permissible range of the gas temperature can be set to, for example, 0 DEG C + - 0.5 DEG C, and the allowable range of the gas pressure can be set to, for example, 1 atm. + -. 0.5 atm. This permissible range can be properly set and managed by the gas supplier.

The control unit 160 further includes a charge calculation unit 165 for calculating a charge based on the gas consumption amount based on the gas charge unit (rate per m ³ ) reference value transmitted through the bidirectional communication from the gas supplier server 220, As shown in FIG. That is, the gas supplier server 220 provides the gas unit reference value to the control unit 160 through the communication unit 150. Then, the charge calculation unit 165 calculates the charge for the measured value corrected by the pressure correction unit 161 measured by the gas meter 110 as a unit of money (unit level).

The control unit 170 may further include an output unit 170 for outputting the charge information and the gas usage amount calculated by the charge calculation unit 165 so that the user can check the charge information and the gas usage amount. The output unit 170 may include a display unit or LCD integrated with the meter. Therefore, the control unit 160 outputs and provides the accumulated gas consumption amount based on the gas consumption amount-based basic unit rate information (cumulative usage fee) calculated by the rate calculation unit 165, so that the user can calculate the gas consumption amount So that it is possible to use the gas with a planned saving.

As shown in FIG. 3, on the contrary, a charge calculating unit 221 for calculating a gas charge in units of denominations of the meter reading values accumulated in the gas supplier server 220 is provided to calculate the charge, The control unit 160 of the meter 100 outputs the gas rate calculated and supplied from the gas supplier server 220 to the output unit 170 through the communication unit 150 May be provided.

The operation and effect of the integrated pressure gauging integrated gas meter 100 with the above-described configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG.

First, the control unit 160 initially controls the meter reading apparatus 100 in the sleep mode S10. That is, the power control unit 163 cuts off the power supply to the communication unit 150 and the pressure correction unit 161 to minimize unnecessary power consumption. The gas meter unit 110, the temperature sensing unit 120, and the pressure sensing unit 130 so that only the sensing operation is performed. Since the gas meter unit 110 is integrated with the temperature sensing unit 120, the pressure sensing unit 130, and the control unit 160 so that a separate interface is unnecessary, The configuration and power consumption are unnecessary, and the power consumption reduction effect can be further maximized.

In the sleep mode, the temperature sensing unit 120 measures the gas temperature (S11). The measured temperature value is transmitted to the control unit 160, and the control unit 160 determines whether the measured temperature is out of the allowable range (S12).

In the sleep mode, the pressure sensing unit 130 measures the gas pressure (S12). The measured pressure value is transmitted to the control unit 160, and the control unit 160 determines whether the measured pressure is out of the permissible range (S14).

When the measured temperature and the measured pressure are within the permissible range, the control unit 160 maintains the sleep mode (S10). If at least one of the measured temperature and the measured pressure is out of the permissible range, The unit 160 releases the sleep mode and switches to the meter reading mode (S15). The power control unit 163 supplies the power of the power supply unit 140 to the power control unit 161 and the communication unit 150 so that the power control unit 161 and the communication unit 150 To be in an operable state.

Then, the pressure correction unit 161 calculates the pressure correction coefficient according to the measured gas temperature and gas pressure, and corrects the measured value measured by the gas meter unit 110 according to the calculated pressure correction coefficient (S16).

The corrected metering value is provided to the remote gas supplier server 220 through the communication unit 150 (S17).

In this way, the gas metering value is corrected, and the corrected metering value is provided to the remote gas supplier server 220 through the communication network, and the corrected metering value (meter reading value) is accumulated and managed (S18).

The meter reading value accumulated in the rate calculating unit 221 of the gas supplier server 220 is calculated as a unit of money (unit level) and provided to the communication unit 150 of the meter 100 through the communication network 210 (S19).

Then, the control unit 160 of the meter 100 outputs and provides the gas charge information received through the communication unit 150 through the output unit 170 so that the user can check the gas rate of the original gas level in real time ( S20).

The gas meter 110, the temperature sensing unit 120, the pressure sensing unit 130, and the pressure correction unit 161 are connected to the gas meter 110, It is possible to reduce the volume of the product and to provide the power supply unit 140 itself. Therefore, the power supply unit 140 does not need any external power source, .

In addition, due to the integration of components, it is possible to fundamentally prevent a configuration for interfacing between components as well as an error in signal transmission.

In addition, the power control unit 163 is provided to control the meter probe 100 to switch between the meter reading mode and the sleep mode, thereby minimizing the power consumption. As a result, the power supply unit 140 It becomes possible to operate the meter reading apparatus 100 for a sufficiently long time using the provided power. Therefore, the maintenance cost can be reduced, and there is an advantage in that it is not limited by the installation apparatus.

100 .. Built-in pressure gauge with remote meter reading
110 .. Gas meter section
120 .. Temperature sensing unit 130 .. Pressure sensing unit
140. Power supply unit 150. Communication unit
160. Control unit 161. On-
163 .. Power control unit 210. Communication unit
220 .. gas supplier server 230 .. representative computer

Claims (5)

delete delete A gas meter for measuring the amount of gas used through the gas supply pipe;
A temperature sensing unit for measuring a gas temperature of the gas supply pipe;
A pressure sensing unit for measuring a gas pressure of the gas supply pipe;
Power supply;
A communication unit for providing meter reading information through an external gas supplier server and a communication network;
Wherein the control unit controls the operation of the gas sensing unit and the sleep mode based on the gas sensing temperature and the sensing pressure in the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit, A control unit for controlling the calculation and display of the gas usage fee by reflecting the result of the pressure correction; And
And an output unit outputting and displaying the gas usage fee calculated by the control unit so that the user can confirm the gas usage charge,
Wherein the gas meter unit, the temperature sensing unit, the pressure sensing unit, the power supply unit, the communication unit, the control unit, and the output unit are integrally formed so as to prevent an error between interfaces between components and signal transmission,
Wherein the control unit comprises:
The temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit are switched to a meter reading mode and supplied with power from the power supply unit to calculate a pressure correction coefficient, A pressure correction unit for correcting the metering value;
When the measured value of at least one of the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit is out of a predetermined allowable range, the control unit switches to the meter reading mode to supply the power source of the power supply unit to the pressure correction unit and the communication unit, A power control unit for controlling power supply to the pressure correction unit and the communication unit to switch to a sleep mode if the power supply is not released; And
And a charge calculating unit for calculating a gas usage charge based on a result of the pressure correction in the pressure correction unit referring to the gas charge reference value received from the gas supplier server. A gas meter for measuring the amount of gas used through the gas supply pipe;
A temperature sensing unit for measuring a gas temperature of the gas supply pipe;
A pressure sensing unit for measuring a gas pressure of the gas supply pipe;
Power supply;
A communication unit for providing meter reading information through an external gas supplier server and a communication network;
Wherein the control unit controls the operation of the gas sensing unit and the sleep mode based on the gas sensing temperature and the sensing pressure in the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit, A control unit for controlling the display of the gas usage fee, which is provided to the gas supplier server through the communication unit after the pressure correction of the metered value of the metering value is reflected, And
And an output unit for receiving the gas usage fee calculated by the gas supplier server based on the result of the pressure correction through the communication unit and outputting and displaying the received gas usage fee so that the user can check the gas usage fee,
Wherein the gas meter unit, the temperature sensing unit, the pressure sensing unit, the power supply unit, the communication unit, the control unit, and the output unit are integrally formed so as to prevent an error between interfaces between components and signal transmission,
Wherein the control unit comprises:
The temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit are switched to a meter reading mode and supplied with power from the power supply unit to calculate a pressure correction coefficient, A pressure correction unit for correcting the metering value; And
When the measured value of at least one of the temperature sensing unit and the pressure sensing unit is out of a predetermined allowable range, the control unit switches to the meter reading mode to supply the power source of the power supply unit to the pressure correction unit and the communication unit, And a power control unit for controlling power supply to the pressure correction unit and the communication unit to be switched to a sleep mode when the power supply is not released. The method according to claim 3 or 4,
The power supply unit,
Wherein the gas meter comprises at least one of a secondary battery and a solar cell.

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