JPS61277018A - Gas meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain to miniaturize a valve mechanism, by constituting a valve mechanism performing the change-over of a gas flow passage so that the valve reciprocating on the valve seat of a distributor is instantaneously operated between both poles of the stroke of said valve. CONSTITUTION:Because a valve arm 23 and a valve 11 are connected through a leaf spring 26, when the valve arm 23 is revolved, the valve 11 is held in a state stationary at the original position while repulsive force is accumulated in the leaf spring 26 by the compressive deformation of said spring 26. When the leaf spring connection point at the leading end of the valve arm 23 exceeds the upper dead point position, the force accumulated in the leaf spring 26 by the compression thereof is released at a stroke and the valve 11 performs the instantaneous change-over operation from one pole position of a reciprocal stroke toward the other pole position thereof at the timing point of time in the change-over of the flow passage thereof. By repeating this process, the metering of gas is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a gas meter, and more particularly to a single-membrane two-chamber dry gas meter having two measuring chambers separated by a membrane.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, the two-membrane, four-measuring-chamber type dry gas meter has been most commonly put into practical use. Such gas meters generally have two measuring chambers each separated by a membrane.
The motion of each membrane caused by the gas pressure flowing into each metering chamber in a predetermined order is converted into the rotational movement of a pair of blade shafts, and this driving force is used to move the slider attached to the distributor located above the metering chamber. Operate the dynamic valve via a crank mechanism,
It controls the distribution of gas to each metering chamber and also operates the counter.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Incidentally, there has been a strong demand for miniaturization of gas meters. Recently, various structural modifications have been attempted for this purpose, but the biggest fundamental factor hindering the demand for miniaturization is that as long as the conventional valve mechanism is used, there will be no problem even if the metering is interrupted. In order to perform a metering operation without any problems, a total of 4 ffl chambers, 2 at the front and 2 at the rear, are provided, and two gas distribution sliding valves are attached, and these chambers include a common crank mechanism. It must be operated by a transmission mechanism, that is, as mentioned above, 21!
! This was due to the fact that it had to be configured as a four-chamber, two-pulp system.

Furthermore, in the conventional valve mechanism of a distributor, the sliding valve that controls the opening and closing of the gas inlet and outlet of the distributor almost continuously slides on the valve seat by the driving force based on the rotation of the blade shaft. Therefore, each gas inlet in the distributor is gradually opened and then gradually closed by the valve. For this reason, the effective opening area of the valve seat during the entire process of actual gas flow must be considerably small compared to the size of the opening area of the valve seat. For this reason, the smaller the valve mechanism is made, the more the gas flow resistance increases, making it difficult to maintain the required valve driving force per unit contact area, leading to performance problems. Furthermore, the fact that the valve mechanism had to be made relatively large is also a fundamental factor that prevents the miniaturization of gas meters.

The present invention was made with the aim of further downsizing gas meters and making them more cylindrical in structure by eliminating the causes that hinder the demand for downsizing as described above.

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention most basically uses an instant actuation type valve mechanism for switching gas flow paths, that is, a valve that reciprocates on a valve seat of a distributor. By instantaneously operating between the two extreme points of the stroke, the effective frontage area of the valve seat can be fully utilized at all times, and the gas flow path resistance can be significantly reduced. It is characterized by its miniaturization and sturdiness, and furthermore, it has succeeded in putting into practical use a single-membrane, two-chamber, single-pulp type gas meter based on the use of instantaneous pulp. .

The gist of the present invention is therefore a single-membrane, two-chamber type gas meter having two measuring chambers and a membrane separating them, which A distribution system having one blade shaft which is driven in forward and reverse rotation within a predetermined rotational angle range through a blade plate, two gas inlets communicating with each of the metering chambers, and one gas outlet common to the compartments. The vessel and
A single flow path switching sliding valve that slides on the valve seat of the distributor to selectively open both the gas inlets, and stores and releases energy based on the reciprocating rotational movement of the blade shaft. and a power storage interlocking mechanism that instantaneously drives the valve repeatedly,
The force storage link mechanism #JI11 stores force while holding the valve stationary at the extreme position of the reciprocating operation during the timing of the flow path switching operation of the valve, and at the timing of the switching operation. The gas meter is characterized in that the stored power is released all at once to operate the valve from one pole position to the other pole position in one step.

The above-mentioned force storage interlocking mechanism utilizes the tensile force or compressive repulsion force of a spring such as a coil spring or a leaf spring as the force storage means, or one or more pairs are arranged facing each other. Various embodiments have been proposed, such as those utilizing the magnetic attraction force or repulsion force of permanent magnets.

EXAMPLES Below, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the accompanying drawings.

[Gas meter operating principle mechanism]

First, the operating principle mechanism of the gas meter according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the attached FIGS. 1 to 4.

In the place shown in the figure, the meter casing (1)
The interior is formed as a sealed space, and the interior space is equally divided by a single capsule (2) arranged vertically, and has two first and second measuring chambers (I) in the front and rear. (If)
(See Figure 4).

゛Then, by alternately injecting and discharging gas into both measuring chambers (I) and (IF), the membrane (2) is caused to move in the front-rear direction, and the membrane attached to the tag is Board (
3) and a blade plate (5), one end of which is pivotally connected to this by a hinge (4), to one blade shaft (6) located at one end on the left side within the casing, and a predetermined rotation angle range. This prevents reciprocating rotational movement.

On the other hand, the metering chamber (I) of the meter casing (1) (I)
A distributor (7) is arranged in the upper cover (1a) near one end on the right side. This distributor (7) is
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, it has two gas inlets (Ia) (Ila) corresponding to the front and rear first and second measuring chambers CI>(I), and the position between them. The upper cover (1a) has a single gas outlet (X) common to the compartment.
A passage (8a) is connected to the gas outlet (8) to the outside integrally formed with
). (9) is a gas inlet from the outside. Moreover, on the distributor (7), one fan-shaped sliding valve (11) is provided in sliding contact with the valve seat (10), with the base end IN.
The gas inlet (Ia > (I[a)) is alternately opened and closed by reciprocating sliding around the pivot (12) of 1), and gas is supplied to each of the front and rear measuring chambers (I) (I[). The reciprocating sliding movement of this valve (11), which controls the inflow of gas and the outflow of gas from them,
This is generated based on the reciprocating rotational movement of the two, and therefore an interlocking mechanism is interposed between them. Furthermore, in the present invention, this interlocking mechanism is specifically blocked by the reciprocating rotational movement of the blade shaft (6) to repeatedly store and release the force, and the valve (11) is activated at a predetermined timing of flow switching operation. A power storage M movement mechanism (20) that instantaneously closes the operation is adopted.

In addition, the counter (13) provided on the front side of the upper cover (1a) of the casing (1) is! Based on the reciprocating rotational movement of the armrest (21), one end of which is fixed to 11@(6), this is converted into rotational movement via a ratchet mechanism (14) and driven.

[Power storage interlocking mechanism]

The energy storage interlocking mechanism operates the valve (11) instantaneously at the timing of switching the flow path based on the reciprocating rotational movement of the aforementioned J2 wing shaft (6), and operates the valve (11) instantaneously until the timing reaches the timing. (during the middle of the stroke, the valve is held stationary at a position before one extreme point of the operating stroke) and functions to store the force for performing the instantaneous operation. Therefore, it is permissible to adopt various embodiments in terms of design as long as such functions can be realized, and the specific structure is not particularly limited.

Preferred embodiments of the force storage interlocking mechanism include a spring-type mechanism that uses a spring for the force storage device, and a mechanism that uses the magnetic force of a permanent magnet. Of these two types, the former uses a coil spring. Alternatively, it can be classified into those that utilize the compressive repulsive force of a leaf spring, and those that utilize the tensile force of a spring.The latter utilize the magnetic attraction force of a magnet, and those that utilize the repulsive force of It can be classified into things.

Next, specific embodiments of each of the above systems will be described with reference to the drawings.

(a) Compression spring method The force storage interlocking mechanism described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 shows an example in which a leaf spring is used as an example of the compression spring method.

As shown in Figure 1, the wing shaft (6) and the single valve (
The armrest (21) included in the force storage interlocking mechanism (20) between the valve (11) extends in the direction of the valve (11), and has a U-shaped groove (22) at its tip. is formed. On the other hand, the pivot shaft (12) of the valve (11) extends upward, and the base end of the valve arm (23) is pivotally supported on the extended upper part. Then, the tip of the valve arm (23) is connected to the tip of the armrest (21) via a connecting pin (24) that is slidably fitted into the split groove (22). They are connected so as to be slidable in the length direction.

Therefore, based on the swinging reciprocating motion of the armrest (21), the valve arm (23) b follows this and swings back and forth about the pivot shaft (12). Further, both ends are pivotally connected to the connecting pin (24) and the protrusion (25) between the tip of the valve arm (23) and a proper position in the widthwise intermediate portion near the tip of the valve (11). An arc-shaped compression type leaf spring (26) is installed. In addition, the distributor (7
) side is equipped with a pair of stoppers (27) for accurately stopping the valve (11) at both extremes of its reciprocating stroke.
>(27) is erected.

In the above, the states shown in Figures 1 and 6 indicate that the intake process of the first metering chamber (I) on the front side has been completely completed, and therefore the exhaust from the second it ffi chamber (II) on the rear side has been completely completed. When the second gas inlet (I) is completed, the valve (11) opens the second gas inlet (I
The figure shows a state in which it moves from the side [a] to the first gas inlet (Ia) side, covers the upper surface thereof, and leaves the second gas inlet (ITa) open. After this state,
The wave meter 1 gas flows into the second metering chamber (n) on the rear side through the second gas inlet (IIa). Along with this, the cyst (2) moves forward and the first measuring chamber (I) on the front side moves forward.
) is exhausted. Due to the movement of this membrane (2), the elbow metal (
21) causes a movement in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 5, and the valve arm (23> follows this movement and moves.However, between this valve arm (23) and the valve (11), a leaf spring (26) It is connected via.

Therefore, a valve (
11) is located and the valve arm (23) rotates counterclockwise in the figure, the connecting fulcrums at both ends of the leaf spring (26) and the center of the pivot (12) of the valve (11) Until reaching the dead center position shown in FIG. 6 where the valves (11) are lined up in a straight line, the repulsive force is accumulated by the compressive deformation Q of the leaf spring (26), and the valve (11) remains stationary at its original position. keep).

When the leaf spring connection point at the tip of the valve arm (24) exceeds the dead center position, the force stored in the leaf spring (26) is released all at once due to the compression of the leaf spring (26). ) is rapidly and momentarily oscillated in the opposite direction to the movement direction of the valve arm (23), that is, in the clockwise direction in Figure 6, and is stopped at the other stroke pole position by hitting the stopper (27). (See Figure 7). The actuation timing of this valve is exactly when the intake of air into the rear second metering chamber ([) is completed and the exhaust from the first metering chamber (I) is completed, and from then on, the first gas flow is 1st from entrance (Ia)
Intake air into the metering chamber (1) and exhaust air from the second metering chamber (
).

Gas metering is performed by repeating the above process, and the valve (11) moves from one pole position to the other pole position in its reciprocating stroke at the timing of switching the flow path. Since the switching action is performed instantaneously, the corresponding first and second gas inlets (Ia ) (I
The opening area of a) is maintained at a substantially fully open state corresponding to the opening area of the valve seat (10). That is, as before,
The gas inlet is not opened gradually and closed gradually. Therefore, the gas flow path resistance can be significantly reduced.

Furthermore, since the valve (11) is actuated instantaneously as described above, the intended metering operation can be continued with the driving force from a single membrane (2). This makes it possible to provide a gas meter with only two measuring chambers.

In the above embodiment, a plate spring (26) is used as an example of using a compression type spring, but it goes without saying that a compression coil spring may be used instead.

(b> Regarding the tension spring type force storage interlocking mechanism (20'), instead of the compression spring of the previous embodiment, a tension coil spring (36
) is used.

In addition, in relation to the use of a tension spring, the structure of the force storage drive mechanism (20°) is also such that the structure of the force storage drive mechanism (20°) is such that the force storage drive mechanism (20°) has a structure that extends in the length direction at the tip of the valve arm (23') extending from the pivot (12) of the valve (11). A long hole (30) is formed along the line, while a valve (
One end of the valve link (31) is pivotally connected to the free end of the valve link (31).
) is connected to the tip of the valve arm (23') via a slide pin (32) loosely fitted into the elongated hole (30), and the slide pin (32) and the pivot shaft (12) are connected to each other. A coil spring (36) is tensioned so as to apply a tensile force between the coil springs (36).

In this embodiment as well, the tensile force of the coil spring (36) allows the pivot (12), the pivot point (37) at the base end of the valve link (31), and the slide bin (32) to be aligned in a straight line. is the dead center position, and by rotating the valve arm (23) in either the left or right direction beyond the dead center position,
The valve (11) is instantaneously operated in the opposite direction to switch the gas flow path.

The rest is the same as in the previous embodiment, so detailed explanation will be omitted. It goes without saying that even in the case of the tension spring system, a belt-shaped plate spring formed into an arc shape or the like can be used instead of the coil spring (36).

(C) Repulsion permanent magnet system This embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and a modification thereof is shown in FIG. 11.

The power storage drive mechanism (20”) shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is
Leaf spring (26) of the aforementioned mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 7
is a pair of permanent magnets (MGl) with the same poles facing each other.
) (MG2) is installed in place of the telescopic link (46) which is always biased in the direction of extension using the magnetic repulsion force. The link (46) has one permanent magnet (MGl
) is fixed to the tip of a cylindrical female rod (47), and a rod-shaped male rod (48) into which the tip is loosely inserted, and is attached to the male rod (48) with an adjustable screw 49). Another permanent magnet (MG2) whose position can be adjusted in the axial direction
is attached with the same polarity facing the magnet (MGl).

Therefore, at the timing of the switching operation of the valve (11), due to the shortening behavior of the telescoping link (46), both permanent magnets (MGl) (MG2) are brought close together in their magnetic field region. As a result, a repulsive force is accumulated, and at the switching timing, the valve (11) is extended to release this accumulated force at once, causing an instantaneous switching operation of the valve (11). Other configurations and operations are similar to those of the compression spring type embodiment.

The modification shown in Fig. 11 is a telescopic link rod (46”
)'s elastic expansion and contraction #! To increase the lI range,
One or more permanent magnets (MGn) are further inserted between the permanent magnet (MGl) on the cylindrical female rod (47) side and the permanent magnet (MG2) on the rod-shaped male rod (48) side. It is slidably provided on a male rod (48) so that poles of the same name face each other in sequence. The rest is the same as the embodiment shown in FIG.

(d) Attraction permanent magnet system The force storage interlocking mechanism (20'') of this embodiment is shown in Fig. 12, and is a tension spring system instead of the tension coil spring (36) of the embodiment shown in Fig. 18. , a telescoping link (56) which is always elastically biased in the shortening direction by the attractive force, that is, the magnetic adsorption force, by one or more pairs of permanent magnets (MGl) (MG2) is used. In this embodiment, during the timing of the switching operation of the valve (11), both permanent magnets (MGt) (MG2) are separated in their magnetic fields due to the extension behavior of the telescoping link (56). By this, an attractive force is accumulated, and at the above-mentioned switching timing, a shortening operation is performed to release this accumulated force at once, causing an instantaneous switching operation of the valve (11).Other configurations The operation is similar to that of the tension spring type embodiment described above.

Although the present invention has been described above using specific examples, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples. In particular, the present invention is applicable to valve types such as so-called parallel sliding type valves, which switch gas inflow by sliding linearly on a valve seat, or rotary type valves. It is possible.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the gas meter according to the present invention is configured as a single pIA two-chamber type having two measuring chambers and one membrane partitioning between them.
The overall size can be significantly reduced compared to a conventional two-membrane four-chamber gas meter. In addition, the interlocking mechanism between the two that drives the valves of the distributor based on the movement of the blade shaft can be configured with a simple power transmission device that does not have a rank mechanism like the conventional two-valve type, and can be configured with a simple power transmission device that does not have a rank mechanism. By reducing the number of parts and simplifying the structure, it is possible to facilitate assembly and manufacture, reduce the pulp driving force, and reduce the causes of failure.

Furthermore, an interlocking mechanism between the blade shaft and the valve uses a force storage interlocking mechanism that repeatedly stores and releases force based on the continuous reciprocating rotational movement of the blade shaft, and the mechanism allows the valve to operate. In the middle of the flow path switching operation timing, the valve is held stationary at the extreme position of the reciprocating operation while accumulating force, and at the switching operation timing, the accumulated force is released all at once to instantly switch the valve. Since it is designed to operate from one extreme position to the extreme position of the usage, the intake and exhaust are controlled by the valve, and the intake process from the initial stage to the completion of intake in both the front and rear constant chambers. Through the entire process, the effective opening area of the gas inlet of the distributor belonging to the metering chamber can be maintained at a fully open state of almost 100% corresponding to the opening area of the valve seat. That is, it is possible to effectively utilize nearly 100% of the opening area of the valve seat of the distributor.

Therefore, the flow path resistance applied to the gas flow entering the metering chamber from the gas inlet can be significantly and significantly reduced compared to the conventional valve structure. By the way, when using a conventional continuous sliding valve mechanism, the gas inlet is gradually opened and closed as the valve moves, so the total large opening area (opening area x time) of the valve seat is Only about 70% of the effective opening area can be secured, and about 30% becomes dead space, and this dead space also causes pressure loss in proportion to the square of the flow rate as the meter rotation speed increases. Since the increase in IE is less than 30%, in reality the negative effect of pressure loss is not limited to 30%, but synergistically causes a negative effect of 50 to 60% or more. However, depending on the application of this invention, the above pressure loss can be minimized. A gas meter that generates the same differential pressure at the same flow point due to later scales is 2/3 to 1/2 that of conventional products.
It becomes possible to reduce the size of the valve mechanism part by about 2 times.

This also means that the area of the surrounding contact area of the valve can be reduced, so that the required valve driving force per unit contact area can be obtained even if the membrane capacity of the capsule is reduced, and the overall gas meter This will make an even greater contribution to miniaturization.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 7 show embodiments of the present invention in which a force storage interlocking mechanism based on a compression type spring method is used.
The figure is a plan view of the gas meter with the top cover removed.
Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional front view of the entire gas meter, Figure 3 is a plan view of the distributor, Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the tv-tv line in Figure 3,
FIGS. 5 to 7 are valve diagrams sequentially showing the states of the valve opening operation by the force storage interlocking mechanism. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the main parts of a valve mechanism equipped with a force storage interlocking mechanism using a tension spring type, Fig. 9 is a plan view of main parts of a valve mechanism equipped with a force storage interlocking mechanism using a repulsion permanent magnet type, and Fig. 1
Fig. 0 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the telescopic link in the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a modification of the telescopic link, and Fig. 12 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the telescoping link, and Fig. 12 is equipped with a force storage drive mechanism using an attractive permanent magnet system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of main parts of the valve mechanism. (1)...Casing, (2)...Membrane, (3)...Membrane plate, (5)...Blade plate, (6 )...Blade shaft, (7)...Distributor, (10)...Valve seat, (11)...
... Valve, (12) ... Axis, (20)
(20') (20") (20"')...
Energy storage interlocking mechanism, (21)...Old money, (23)(
23-)... Valve arm, (24>...
... Bottle, (26) ... Leaf spring, (30) ...
...Slong hole, (31) ...Valve link, (
32)...Slide pin, (36)...
・Coil spring, (46) (46') (56)...
...Telescopic link, (MGl) (MG2) (MQn)-
----Permanent magnet, (I) ----First measuring chamber, (I)...Second measuring chamber, (Ia)--
...First gas inlet, (Ila)...Second gas inlet, (X)...Gas outlet. Above Figure 1 Figure 2 % Kajito Ikoku Figure 8 i Figure 9 Procedural Amendments October 17, 1985 Mr. Michibu Uga, Commissioner of the Patent Office
1. Indication of the case 1985 Patent Application No. 119404 2. Name of the invention Gas meter 3. Person making the amendment 4. Agent address 72-45 Unagidani Nakano-cho, Minami-ku, Osaka City. Date of amendment order (spontaneous) (Amendment) 8. Contents of the amendment '・Ai JP-A-61-Sef 7018 (1G) 8- Contents of the amendment Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 in the drawings 8, 9, and 12 are corrected as shown in the attached sheet. Above Φ8 Figure 2 Figure 8 Figure 9 Figure 12

Claims (5)

[Claims] (1) A single-membrane two-chamber type gas meter having two measuring chambers and a membrane separating them, wherein a predetermined rotation angle is achieved through the blade plate by the behavior of the membrane. A distributor having one blade shaft that is driven to rotate in forward and reverse directions within a range, two gas inlets communicating with each of the measurement chambers and one gas outlet common to both chambers, and a valve seat of the distributor. a single flow path switching sliding valve that selectively opens both gas inlets by sliding on the top; and a single flow path switching sliding valve that selectively opens both gas inlets; and a force storage interlocking mechanism that drives the valve in a stationary state at the extreme position of the reciprocating operation during the timing of the flow path switching operation of the valve. A gas meter characterized in that the stored power is released all at once at the timing of the switching operation to instantaneously operate the valve from one extreme position to the other extreme position. (2) The power storage interlocking mechanism has an armrest whose base end is fixed to the wing shaft;
2. The gas meter according to claim 1, comprising a valve arm that is swung by the armrest, and a compression spring installed between the tip of the arm and a proper position of the valve. (3) The power storage interlocking mechanism has an armrest whose base end is fixed to the wing shaft,
a valve arm that is pivoted to follow the movement of the armrest; a valve link that has one end pivotally connected to the valve and the other end slidably connected to the distal end of the valve arm in the longitudinal direction of the arm;
The gas meter according to claim 1, comprising a tension spring stretched between the tip of the link and the pivot of the valve. (4) The power storage interlocking mechanism has an armrest whose base end is fixed to the wing shaft;
A valve arm that is swung by the armrest and is constantly biased in the direction of extension using the repulsive force of one or more pairs of permanent magnets installed between the tip of the arm and a proper position of the valve. Claim 1 consisting of a telescopic link rod
Gas meter as described in section. (5) The power storage interlocking mechanism has an armrest whose base end is fixed to the wing shaft;
a valve arm that is pivoted to follow the movement of the armrest; a valve link that has one end pivotally connected to the valve and the other end slidably connected to the distal end of the valve arm in the longitudinal direction of the arm;
It consists of a telescoping link that is installed between the tip of the link and the pivot of the valve and that is constantly biased in the shortening direction using the attractive force of one or more pairs of permanent magnets. A gas meter according to claim 1.