KR-102962776-B1 - Measurement module for use with multiple gas meters

KR102962776B1KR 102962776 B1KR102962776 B1KR 102962776B1KR-102962776-B1

Abstract

A gas meter control system is configured for use with multiple gas meters of different sizes (e.g., the ability to measure different flow rates and/or different gas volumes per billing cycle) and different functional capabilities. For example, the gas meter control system is configured to recognize and identify metering units, sensor(s), switch(s), valve(s), valve motor(s), and/or other device(s) within the gas meter. After identifying devices present within the gas and air environments of the meter, the control system selects and executes appropriate software to operate the identified devices. When additional components (e.g., seismic sensors or modulation sensors) are added to the meter, the added components are identified, and appropriate control software is executed. Thus, the gas meter control system replaces multiple control systems configured to operate a single specific meter and/or configuration.

Inventors

일리에브, 조지

Assignees

이트롱 글로벌 에스에이알엘

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20220531
Priority Date: 20210714

Claims (20)

In a gas meter control system, Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) - The above PCBA is: processor; A memory device communicating with the above processor; and Instructions stored in the above memory device Includes, The above commands are: First instructions stored in the memory device and accessible by the processor to operate the first measuring device of the first gas meter; Second instructions stored in the memory device and accessible by the processor to operate the second measuring device of the second gas meter—the second gas meter is configured to measure a gas flow greater than that measured by the first gas meter—; Third instructions for recognizing which of the first measuring device and the second measuring device communicates with the processor, and recognizing the available measuring device; and Fourth commands that select and execute only one of the first commands or the second commands based on the type of available measuring device recognized by the third commands. Includes, Bus pass-through device Includes more, The above bus pass-through device is: Bus connector; and A gas meter control system including a gas-tight seal for separating the gas environment and the air environment during installation.
In paragraph 1, It further includes at least fifth and sixth commands for controlling each of at least two MIG (Metrology in Gas) PCBAs among a plurality of MIG PCBAs within the above gas environment, The above at least 5th and 6th instructions are transmitted from the processor to each of at least 2 MIG PCBAs via the bus, and the bus is an I2C bus. Gas meter control system.
In paragraph 1, At least two sensor devices among a plurality of sensor devices communicating with an I2C bus in the above gas environment; and The fifth and sixth instructions stored in the memory device, which communicate with each of the at least two sensor devices using the I2C bus during execution A gas meter control system including additional
In paragraph 1, The above bus is an I2C bus, and the I2C bus is configured to extend from the PCBA in the air environment to a plurality of sensors included in the gas environment. Gas meter control system.
In paragraph 1, An I2C bus extends from the PCBA in the air environment to a plurality of sensors included in the gas environment, and the I2C bus is connected to bus connectors of a bus pass-through device. Gas meter control system.
In paragraph 1, For each of the plurality of devices configured for use in the above gas environment, a fifth instruction stored in the memory device for determining which of the plurality of devices exist and which of the plurality of devices do not exist; and Six instructions stored in the memory device that control the first devices existing among the plurality of devices; and do not execute the fifth instructions associated with the second devices not existing among the plurality of devices. A gas meter control system including additional
In paragraph 1, Fifth instructions stored in a memory device that determines the type or model of the meter on which the above gas meter control system is installed; and Six instructions stored in a memory device for selecting instructions to be executed based at least partially on the type or model of the above meter A gas meter control system including additional
In paragraph 1, Fifth instructions stored in the memory device for detecting the installation of additional sensors; and Sixth instructions stored in the memory device that operate the additional sensor in response to detecting the installation of the additional sensor A gas meter control system including additional
In paragraph 1, The above commands are: A measuring device configured for measuring H2 ; A measuring device configured for measuring biogas; and A measuring device configured for measuring natural gas To operate at least two of them, the memory device stored Gas meter control system.
In paragraph 1, Fifth instructions stored in the memory device determining whether updated instructions are available; and The sixth instructions stored in the memory device for downloading and installing updated instructions A gas meter control system including additional
In a method for manufacturing a gas meter having at least two designs, Step of installing a first instance of a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) in a first gas meter - The above PCBA is: processor; A memory device communicating with the above processor; and Instructions stored in the above memory device Includes, The above commands are: First instructions stored in the memory device and accessible by the processor to operate the first measuring device of the first gas meter; Second instructions stored in the memory device and accessible by the processor to operate the second measuring device of the second gas meter—the second gas meter is configured to measure a gas flow greater than that measured by the first gas meter—; Third instructions for recognizing which of the first measuring device and the second measuring device communicates with the processor, and recognizing the available measuring device; and Fourth commands that select and execute only one of the first commands or the second commands based on the type of available measuring device recognized by the third commands. Includes-; A step of installing a second instance of the PCBA in the second gas meter; A step of installing the first instance of the first bus pass-through device in the first gas meter to allow first data communication between the gas environment and the air environment of the first gas meter, but to prevent first gas exchange; and A step of installing the second instance of a second bus pass-through device in the second gas meter to allow second data communication between the gas environment and the air environment of the second gas meter, but to prevent second gas exchange. A method including
In Paragraph 11, A step of installing the first instance of an I2C bus by connecting through the first bus pass-through device of the first gas meter to provide the first data communication between the gas environment and the air environment of the first gas meter; and Step of installing a second instance of an I2C bus by connecting through the second bus pass-through device of the second gas meter to provide the second data communication between the gas environment and the air environment of the second gas meter. A method that includes more.
In Paragraph 11, A step of determining the type or model of the first gas meter by executing the fifth command in the first instance of the PCBA; and a step of executing the sixth command in the first instance of the PCBA based at least partially on the type or model of the first gas meter or at least partially on devices present in the first gas meter. A method that includes more.
In Paragraph 11, A step of updating the first instructions and the second instructions of the first instance of the PCBA—the second instructions are updated in the first instance of the PCBA but are not executed by the processor of the first instance of the PCBA—; and A step of updating the first instructions and the second instructions of the second instance of the PCBA - the first instructions are updated in the second instance of the PCBA but are not executed by the processor of the second instance of the PCBA - Includes more, A method of transmitting the same update to the first gas meter and the second gas meter.
In Paragraph 11, A step of searching for a sensor communicating with the I2C bus of the first gas meter; A step of identifying the type of the above sensor; A step of selecting a fifth set of commands among the selected commands to be used for controlling the sensor based at least partially on a step of identifying the type of the sensor; and As the above-mentioned selected commands, the step of communicating with the sensor by executing the above-mentioned fifth commands A method that includes more.
The gas meter is: A first part of an enclosure having an air environment; A printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) within the first part of the above-mentioned enclosure - The above PCBA is: processor; A memory device communicating with the above processor; and Includes instructions stored in the above memory device, The above commands are: First instructions stored in the memory device and accessible by the processor to operate the first measuring device of the first gas meter; and Second instructions stored in the memory device and accessible by the processor to operate the second measuring device of the second gas meter—the second gas meter measures a larger gas flow than the first gas meter measures—; Third instructions for recognizing which of the first measuring device and the second measuring device communicates with the processor, and recognizing the available measuring device; and Fourth commands that select and execute only one of the first commands or the second commands based on the type of available measuring device recognized by the third commands. Includes-; A second part of an enclosure having a gas environment; A measuring device included in the second part above—the measuring device is one of the first measuring device of the first gas meter or the second measuring device of the second gas meter—; and Bus pass-through device Includes, The above bus pass-through device is: Connector for I2C bus; and A gas meter comprising a gas-tight seal for separating the air environment from the gas environment.
In Paragraph 16, First and second sensor devices communicating with the I2C bus in the above gas environment; and Fifth and sixth instructions stored in a memory device to communicate with the first and second sensor devices, respectively, using the I2C bus A gas meter that includes more.
In Paragraph 16, The above I 2 C bus is a gas meter that extends from the PCBA of the air environment and is connected to at least two sensors among a plurality of devices included in the gas environment.
In Paragraph 16, Fifth instructions stored in the memory device for determining identifiers of devices existing in the above gas environment; and Six instructions stored in the memory device for selecting primary commands among the instructions for execution based at least partially on the determined identifiers of the devices present in the gas environment A gas meter that includes more.
In Paragraph 16, Fifth instructions stored in the memory device for determining the type or model of the gas meter; and Six instructions stored in the memory device for selecting a major instruction to execute among the instructions based at least partially on the above type or model A gas meter that includes more.

Description

Measurement module for use with multiple gas meters This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 17/375,800 filed July 14, 2021, titled “Measurement Module for Use in Multiple Gas Meters,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Gas meters (as opposed to mechanical measuring devices such as "bellows") are evolving to include static measuring devices. The new meters offer more functionality and provide more information than is possible using mechanical measuring devices. For example, the new meters include sensors and safety features for earthquake detection, temperature measurement, pressure measurement, leak detection, flow measurement, and gas shut-off. In particular, such advancements entail significant costs, given that gas meters can have diverse configurations due to the inclusion of various subsets of sensors, controllers, valves, valve motors, driver software, and firmware. Therefore, costs will be reduced through improvements that enable the efficient management of available devices and functions. Detailed descriptions are provided with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the leftmost digit(s) of a reference number indicate the drawing in which the reference number first appears. The same number is used throughout the drawings to refer to the same functions and components. Additionally, the drawings are intended to illustrate general concepts and are not intended to represent essential and/or necessary elements. FIG. 1 is a drawing showing an exemplary gas meter configured for use in a residential environment. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an exemplary gas meter configured for use in a commercial environment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of manufacturing and/or configuring small residential gas meters and large commercial gas meters (commercial gas meters can measure a larger instantaneous gas flow rate and a larger amount of gas per unit time than small residential gas meters) using a single control system configured for use in both manufacturing processes. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for determining the type or model of a gas meter in which a gas meter control system is installed, and for identifying software and/or firmware suitable for operating the determined gas meter and related sensors, valves, devices, etc. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for updating software and/or firmware used in a gas meter control system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for identifying sensors, switches, valves, motors and/or other devices of a gas meter and for identifying appropriate commands to control these devices by the operation of a gas meter control system. The present disclosure describes a gas meter control system configured for use with multiple different gas meters having multiple different gas flow measurement capabilities, multiple different gas volume measurement capabilities, and multiple different functional capabilities (e.g., sensors, shut-off valves, etc.). For example, residential gas meters are not configured to measure large gas flow rates as measured by commercial gas meters. Additionally, commercial gas meters measure a wider range of flow rates (i.e., have a wider range of flow rates). In other examples, some gas meters may have one or more functions not present in other gas meters (e.g., the ability to send notifications in response to gas pressure exceeding or falling below a threshold). Other functions that may or may not be present in other gas meters include seismic detection, rapid gas shut-off valves, tamper detection, gas quality assessment, temperature detection, and atmospheric pressure detection (measured by sensor(s) capable of accessing the atmosphere outside the gas meter). In these exemplary gas meters and many other exemplary gas meters, the gas meter control system adapts to the meter's hardware, software, and/or firmware to provide the necessary control functions. The adaptability of the control system allows for its use in various gas meters and simplifies and/or reduces costs in manufacturing, warehousing, and gas meter installation processes. A significant benefit is that the control system reduces the cost and time required for regulatory compliance, testing, and approval. An exemplary gas meter includes a gas environment and an air environment. The gas environment includes an inlet and an outlet, but is otherwise sealed to prevent gas from leaking into the atmosphere and into the gas meter's air environment. The inlet receives gas from the utility provider, and the outlet releases gas to the utility customer. Metrology devices, such as a Flowrate Metrology Sensor (FMU)—for example, the FMU can be an Ultrasonic Metrology Unit (UMU)—may be located at least partially in the gas environment (e.g., natural gas). A Metrology Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) may also exist within the gas environment and can commu