gas meter
The gas meter design addresses the issue of high component costs and assembly man-hours in industrial environments by using a vertically oriented measurement channel and holder system to suppress drain intrusion, thereby reducing costs and simplifying assembly.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- YAZAKI ENERGY SYSTEM CORP
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-05
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-03
AI Technical Summary
Conventional large-sized industrial gas meters with U-shaped gas flow paths in environments with high drain discharge, such as factories with large combustion equipment, incur increased component costs and assembly man-hours due to the need for drain storage and guiding passages.
A gas meter design with a gas inlet, horizontal, and outlet channel configuration, incorporating a vertically oriented measurement channel and a holder system that clamps and positions pipes to suppress drain intrusion, eliminating the need for separate drain storage and guiding passages.
Reduces parts costs and assembly man-hours by preventing drain intrusion into the measurement channel, promoting separation of drain from gas flow, and simplifying the meter's structure without additional components for drain management.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0006] , ,
[0005] , ,
[0001] The present invention relates to a gas meter.
Background Art
[0002] Gas meters are known in which a gas flow path from an inlet to an outlet is formed in a U shape (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these gas meters, gas flow measurement is performed by an ultrasonic flow meter in a measurement flow path provided horizontally in the middle of the gas flow path.
[0003] In the gas meter described in Patent Document 1, a buffer section capable of storing drain is provided at the bottom of the gas meter for the purpose of preventing the drain accumulated at the bottom of the gas meter from overflowing into the measurement flow path.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Patent Document 2
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] In factories and the like that have large combustion equipment and use forced vaporization devices such as vaporizers, the amount of drain discharged to the gas pipe increases. Therefore, in a conventional large-sized industrial electronic gas meter with a U-shaped gas flow path used in such an environment, a storage section for drain and a guiding passage for guiding gas to the storage section are provided. Therefore, in this gas meter, the components and members constituting the storage section for drain and the guiding passage cause an increase in component cost and assembly man-hours.
[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a gas meter that can suppress the intrusion of drain into the measurement channel and reduce parts costs and assembly man-hours. [Means for solving the problem]
[0007] The gas meter according to the present invention has a gas inlet and a gas outlet, The system comprises an inlet channel extending downward from the inlet, a horizontal channel extending horizontally from the inlet channel, and an outlet channel extending upward from the horizontal channel to the outlet. The system comprises a gas flow path from the inlet to the outlet, and a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of gas flowing through the gas flow path. ,before The measurement channel, which is the gas flow rate measurement area by the flow meter, is provided in the outlet channel. A gas meter comprising a pipe in which the measuring channel is provided and the flow meter is attached, a pair of cases that are combined in a left-right direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe and clamp the pipe, a holding member that holds the pipe vertically in the outflow channel, an upper part that houses the holding member, the pipe and the flow meter and has an open bottom, a bottom part that closes the bottom opening of the upper part and the gas channel is provided inside, a first annular rib is formed on the upper part of the pipe, a second annular rib is formed on the lower part of the pipe, and the upper part of one of the pair of cases and the pair The upper part of the other case is provided with an upper flat plate that abuts against each other from left to right, and the lower part of one of the pair of cases is provided with a lower flat plate that abuts against each other from left to right, and the upper flat plate has a groove into which the upper part of the pipe is fitted and the first annular rib engages from above, and the lower flat plate has a groove into which the lower part of the pipe is fitted and the second annular rib engages from below, and a plurality of ribs are provided at the boundary between the bottom part and the upper part so as to engage with the lower end of the pair of cases . [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the intrusion of drain into the measurement channel, and to reduce parts costs and assembly man-hours. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view showing a gas meter according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a side view of the gas meter shown in Figure 1, viewed from the side. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of line 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow meter unit. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of line 5-5 in Figure 1. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing a flow meter unit according to another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] The present invention will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and the embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown below, some illustrations and descriptions of certain components are omitted. For details of the omitted technologies, publicly known or well-known technologies can be applied as appropriate, to the extent that they do not contradict the content described below.
[0011] Figure 1 is a front view showing a gas meter 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the gas meter 1 has a rectangular box-shaped body 10 when viewed from the front. The top surface of this body 10 is provided with an inlet 11 to which an upstream flexible pipe (not shown) is connected, and an outlet 12 to which a downstream flexible pipe (not shown) is connected. The inlet 11 is located slightly to the left of the gas meter 1 when viewed from the front, and the outlet 12 is located slightly to the right of the gas meter 1 when viewed from the front.
[0012] The front of the body 10 is provided with a display unit 13 and a reset button 14. The display unit 13 is located slightly above the center of the front of the body 10, and the reset button 14 is located to the left of the display unit 13 when viewed from the front. The reset button 14 is a button used to open the shut-off valve 16 (see Figure 3), which will be described later, when it has closed.
[0013] Figure 2 is a side view of the gas meter 1 shown in Figure 1. As shown in this figure, the body 10 comprises a front panel 10A, a body main body 10B, and a bottom cover 10C. The front panel 10A and the body main body 10B are fastened to each other, and the bottom cover 10C is also fastened to each other. In addition, a cover 10D that covers the shut-off valve 16 is attached to one side (the left side when viewed from the front) of the front panel 10A and the body main body 10B which are fastened to each other.
[0014] Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2. As shown in this figure, a U-shaped gas flow path 15 extending from an inlet 11 to an outlet 12 is formed within the body 10 of the gas meter 1. The gas flow path 15 is composed of an inlet-side flow path 15A located on the left side when viewed from the front, an outlet-side flow path 15B located on the right side when viewed from the front, and a horizontal flow path 15C connecting the inlet-side flow path 15A and the outlet-side flow path 15B. The inlet-side flow path 15A extends downward from the inlet 11 to the bottom of the body 10, and the horizontal flow path 15C extends horizontally at the bottom of the body 10 from the lower end side of the inlet-side flow path 15A to a position vertically below the outlet 12. And the outlet-side flow path 15B extends so as to communicate the horizontal flow path 15C and the outlet 12.
[0015] The upper side of the housing is constituted by a front panel 10A (see Figure 2) and a body main body 10B. Also, the bottom side of the housing is constituted by a bottom cover 10C. The bottom of the housing is closed by this bottom cover 10C.
[0016] The gas meter 1 includes a shut-off valve 16 and a flow meter unit 20. The shut-off valve 16 is provided in the inlet-side flow path 15A and executes a shut-off operation to block the inlet-side flow path 15A in case of abnormality and prevent the inflow of gas into the gas flow path 15. The shut-off operation of this shut-off valve 16 is released by operating a return button 14 (see Figure 1).
[0017] The flow meter unit 20 includes a plurality (three in this embodiment) of pipe materials 21A, 21B, 21C (see Figure 4) constituting the outlet-side flow path 15B, a holder 22 for fixing the plurality of pipe materials 21A, 21B, 21C to the body 10, and an ultrasonic flow meter 23. The plurality of pipe materials 21A, 21B, 21C are rectangular cylindrical pipe materials and are arranged side by side from the front side to the back side of the gas meter 1. These plurality of pipe materials 21A, 21B, 21C are arranged parallel to each other and are each arranged vertically.
[0018] The lower ends (upstream ends) of the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C are arranged facing the horizontal flow path 15C, and the gas flowing through the horizontal flow path 15C flows into the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C from the lower ends. Here, a filter 24 is provided at the lower ends of the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C, and the filter 24 prevents foreign matter from entering the pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C. Further, the upper ends (downstream ends) of the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C are arranged facing the outlet 12, and the gas that has risen through the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C flows out from the outlet 12 to a downstream flexible pipe (not shown).
[0019] The holder 22 is a resin case that holds the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C, and is fitted at a position on the right side (below the outlet 12) when viewed from the front inside the body 10. This holder 22 includes a left case 221 and a right case 222 that are combined left and right when viewed from the front. The left case 221 and the right case 222 are combined left and right when viewed from the front and sandwich the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C. Details of the holder 22 will be described later.
[0020] The ultrasonic flowmeter 23 is provided corresponding to at least one of the plurality of pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C (in this embodiment, the pipe member 21B), and measures the flow rate of the gas flowing through the pipe member 21B based on the propagation time of ultrasonic waves. Specifically, the ultrasonic flowmeter 23 includes a pair of ultrasonic elements 231, and a plurality of measurement flow paths 21M arranged in parallel are formed in the pipe member 21B by a plurality of parallel rectifying plates (not shown). One ultrasonic element 231 emits ultrasonic waves into the measurement flow path 21M in the pipe member 21B, and the ultrasonic waves propagate through the measurement flow path 21M to the other ultrasonic element 231. On the other hand, the other ultrasonic element 231 emits ultrasonic waves into the measurement flow path 21M in the pipe member 21B, and the ultrasonic waves propagate through the measurement flow path 21M to the one ultrasonic element 231. A control circuit (not shown) included in the ultrasonic flowmeter 23 calculates the flow rate of the gas in each measurement flow path 21M based on the difference between the propagation time of ultrasonic waves from one ultrasonic element 231 to the other ultrasonic element 231 and the propagation time of ultrasonic waves from the other ultrasonic element 231 to the one ultrasonic element 231.
[0021] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the flow meter unit 20. As shown in this figure, the left case 221 and the right case 222 that make up the holder 22 are combined left and right to hold multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C.
[0022] The left-side case 221 comprises a front side panel 221A, a rear side panel 221B, a left side panel 221C, an upper flat panel 221D, and a lower flat panel 221E. The front side panel 221A and the rear side panel 221B are composed of a vertically elongated rectangular section and a vertically elongated rectangular section extending downward from the right side of the lower end of the rectangular section. The left side panel 221C is a horizontally elongated rectangular plate that connects the upper part of the front side panel 221A and the upper part of the rear side panel 221B.
[0023] The upper flat plate 221D is a plate material that connects the front side plate 221A, the rear side plate 221B, and the lower end of the left side plate 221C. Multiple U-shaped grooves 221F are formed in this upper flat plate 221D. The multiple grooves 221F are arranged in a line from the front side to the rear side. The multiple grooves 221F are formed in the upper flat plate 221D so as to be recessed from the right end to the left side of the upper flat plate 221D. The upper part of one of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C is fitted into each of the multiple grooves 221F. Here, an annular rib 21D is formed on the upper part of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C. This rib 21D engages with the peripheral edge of the groove 221F in the upper flat plate 221D from above.
[0024] The lower flat plate 221E is a plate material that connects the lower part of the front side plate 221A and the lower part of the rear side plate 221B. Multiple U-shaped grooves 221G are formed in this lower flat plate 221E. The multiple grooves 221G are arranged in a line from the front side to the rear side. The multiple grooves 221G are formed in the lower flat plate 221E so as to be recessed from the right end to the left side. The lower part of one of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C is fitted into each of the multiple grooves 221G. Here, an annular rib 21E is formed on the lower part of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C. This rib 21E engages with the peripheral edge of the groove 221G in the lower flat plate 221E from below.
[0025] The right-side case 222 comprises a front side panel 222A, a rear side panel 222B, a right-side panel 222C, an upper flat panel 222D, and a lower flat panel 222E. The front side panel 222A and the rear side panel 222B are formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape. The right-side panel 222C is a rectangular plate that connects the entire front side panel 222A and the entire rear side panel 222B.
[0026] The upper flat plate 222D is a plate material that connects the upper part of the front side plate 222A, the upper part of the rear side plate 222B, and the upper part of the right side plate 222C. Multiple U-shaped grooves 222F are formed in this upper flat plate 222D. The multiple grooves 222F are arranged in a line from the front side to the rear side of the gas meter 1. The multiple grooves 222F are formed in the upper flat plate 222D so as to be recessed from the left end to the right side. The upper part of one of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C is fitted into each of the multiple grooves 222F. As described above, annular ribs 21D are formed on the upper parts of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, and 21C, and these ribs 21D engage with the peripheral edge of the groove 222F in the upper flat plate 222D from above.
[0027] The lower flat plate 222E is a plate material that connects the lower part of the front side plate 222A, the lower part of the rear side plate 222B, and the lower part of the right side plate 222C. Multiple U-shaped grooves 222G are formed in this lower flat plate 222E. The multiple grooves 222G are arranged in a line from the front side to the rear side. The multiple grooves 222G are formed in the lower flat plate 222E so as to be recessed from the left end to the right side. The lower part of one of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C is fitted into each of the multiple grooves 222G. As described above, annular ribs 21E are formed on the lower part of the pipe materials 21A, 21B, or 21C, and these ribs 21E engage with the peripheral edge of the groove 222G in the lower flat plate 222E from below.
[0028] Here, the upper and lower ribs 21D and 21E sandwich the upper flat plates 221D and 222D and the lower flat plates 221E and 222E, with the upper rib 21D engaging with the upper flat plates 221D and 222D from above, and the lower rib 21E engaging with the lower flat plates 221E and 222E from below. As a result, the multiple pipe members 21A, 21B, and 21C are fixed in a position that is vertically positioned relative to the upper flat plates 221D and 222D and the lower flat plates 221E and 222E.
[0029] The left case 221 and the right case 222 are assembled as follows: First, the right end of the front side plate 221A and the left end of the front side plate 222A are abutted together, and the right end of the rear side plate 221B and the left end of the rear side plate 222B are abutted together. Also, the right end of the upper flat plate 221D and the left end of the upper flat plate 222D are abutted together, and the right end of the lower flat plate 221E and the left end of the lower flat plate 222E are abutted together. Grooves 221F and 222F face each other on the left and right to form a rectangular opening, into which the upper parts of the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C are fitted. Also, grooves 221G and 222G face each other on the left and right to form a rectangular opening, into which the lower parts of the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C are fitted.
[0030] Here, the lower ends (upstream ends) of the multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C protrude downward from the lower flat plates 221E and 222E through openings formed by grooves 221G and 222G. Also, the upper ends (downstream ends) of the multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C protrude upward from the upper flat plates 221D and 222D through openings formed by grooves 221F and 222F. As a result, the space below the lower flat plates 221E and 222E and the space above the upper flat plates 221D and 222D are connected by the multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C.
[0031] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of line 5-5 in Figure 1. As shown in this figure, multiple ribs 10E, 10F, and 10G are formed on the opening edge of the upper end of the bottom cover 10C. The multiple ribs 10E, 10F, and 10G are provided to engage with the lower end of the holder 22. Specifically, the front panel 10A and the body 10B surround the front, right, and rear sides of the holder 22, but do not engage with the lower end of the holder 22. Also, the upper end of the bottom cover 10C abuts against the lower ends of the front panel 10A and the body 10B, but the bottom cover 10C does not surround the holder 22 and does not engage with the lower end of the holder 22. In contrast, the multiple ribs 10E, 10F, and 10G protrude inward from the opening edge of the upper end of the holder 22, thereby engaging with the lower end of the holder 22. Rib 10E engages with the lower front end of holder 22, rib 10F engages with the lower right end of holder 22, and rib 10G engages with the lower rear end of holder 22.
[0032] Incidentally, in facilities that use large amounts of gas, such as factories with large combustion equipment, forced vaporization devices such as vaporizers are often used. In such facilities, a large amount of condensate is discharged into the gas piping, and gas containing a large amount of condensate flows through the gas meter. Here, it is preferable to suppress the intrusion of condensate into the measurement flow path of the gas meter from the viewpoint of improving the accuracy of gas flow measurement.
[0033] Therefore, as shown in Figure 3, in the gas meter 1 according to this embodiment, multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C of the flow meter unit 20 are provided between the horizontal flow path 15C and the outlet 12 so as to constitute the outlet side flow path 15B in the gas flow path 15.
[0034] The gas flowing from the inlet 11 into the gas flow path 15 descends through the inlet-side flow path 15A, makes a 90° turn at the bottom of the body 10 and flows through the horizontal flow path 15C, then makes another 90° turn below the flow meter unit 20 to reach the inlets of the multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C. In other words, in the gas meter 1 according to this embodiment, the measurement flow path 21M is set to the outlet-side flow path 15B instead of the inlet-side flow path 15A or the horizontal flow path 15C, thereby increasing the distance from the inlet 11 to the inlet of the measurement flow path 21M. In addition, the flow of gas from the inlet 11 to the inlet of the measurement flow path 21M is made complex, involving descent, a 90° turn, horizontal movement at the bottom of the body 10, and a 90° upward turn. This promotes the separation of drain from the gas as it travels from the inlet 11 to the inlet of the measurement flow path 21M, and suppresses the intrusion of drain into the measurement flow path 21M.
[0035] In particular, by arranging the pipe material 21B constituting the measurement channel 21M vertically between the horizontal channel 15C and the outlet 12, the gas undergoes a 90° change of direction upward below the inlet of the measurement channel 21M, thereby promoting the separation of drain from the gas. Furthermore, because the measurement channel 21M is oriented vertically, even if drain enters the measurement channel 21M, the drain will hang down. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of drain on the reflective surface of the ultrasonic element 231 of the measurement channel 21M.
[0036] As described above, in the gas meter 1 according to this embodiment, the separation of drain from the gas is promoted as the gas flows from the inlet 11 to the entrance of the measurement channel 21M. This prevents drain from entering the measurement channel 21M without the need to provide a drain storage section or guide passage in the middle of the gas channel 15. Therefore, parts and materials that constitute a drain storage section or guide passage can be eliminated, reducing parts costs and assembly man-hours.
[0037] Furthermore, in the gas meter 1 according to this embodiment, the pipe 21B to which the ultrasonic flow meter 23 is attached, and the pipes 21A and 21C on both sides thereof, are held vertically in the outflow side flow path 15B by a holder 22, which is a separate component from the body 10. This allows the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C to be installed vertically in the outflow side flow path 15B without requiring the body 10 to have a structure for holding the pipes 21A, 21B, 21C and the ultrasonic flow meter 23. Therefore, the intrusion of drain into the measurement flow path 21M can be suppressed without complicating the structure of the body 10.
[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, in the gas meter 1 according to this embodiment, the bottom cover 10C, which constitutes the bottom side of the body 10, is provided with ribs 10E, 10F, and 10G at the boundary between the bottom cover 10C and the front panel 10A and the body body 10B, which constitute the upper side of the body 10. These ribs 10E, 10F, and 10G engage with the lower end of the holder 22. As a result, the flow meter unit 20 can be installed in a positioned state within the body 10 by the assembly process of placing the flow meter unit 20 between the front panel 10A and the body body 10B, and then fastening and fixing the bottom cover 10C to the front panel 10A and the body body 10B.
[0039] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the holder 22 comprises a left case 221 and a right case 222, which are combined in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C to clamp the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C. This allows the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C to be sandwiched between the left case 221 and the right case 222, and then the holder 22 to be assembled into the body 10. This assembly process allows the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C to be vertically assembled into the body 10 while being positioned horizontally.
[0040] Figure 6 is a front cross-sectional view showing a flow meter unit 200 according to another embodiment. As shown in this figure, in the flow meter unit 200 according to this embodiment, a guide portion 221H is provided on the left case 221 of the holder 22. This guide portion 221H is a plate material that extends diagonally downward from the left end of the lower flat plate 221E.
[0041] The guide section 221H is positioned to obstruct the space between the horizontal flow path 15C and the inlets at the lower ends (upstream ends) of the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C. The guide section 221H is also inclined downwards towards the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C, guiding the gas flowing from the horizontal flow path 15C to the inlets of the pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C away from the inlets. As a result, the gas flow from the horizontal flow path 15C to the inlet of the measurement flow path 21M becomes a horizontal movement at the bottom of the body 10 followed by a sharp upward change of direction. This promotes the separation of drain from the gas between the horizontal flow path 15C and the inlet of the measurement flow path 21M, and suppresses the intrusion of drain into the measurement flow path 21M.
[0042] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and modifications may be made, or publicly known or well-known technologies may be combined as appropriate, without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0043] For example, in the above embodiment, multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C are provided to form multiple outflow channels 15B, but a single outflow channel 15B may be formed with a single pipe. Also, although the ultrasonic flow meter 23 is provided in one of the multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C (pipe 21B), the ultrasonic flow meter 23 may be provided in all of the multiple pipes 21A, 21B, and 21C, or in pipes 21A and 21C.
[0044] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the inflow channel 15A was given as an example of a channel that curves midway, but the inflow channel 15A may also be a channel that flows straight. Similarly, the outflow channel 15B may also be a channel that curves midway, or a channel that flows straight. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0045] 1. Gas meter 10 Body (casing) 10A Front panel (upper part) 10B Body (upper part) 10C Bottom cover (bottom side) 10E Rib 10F Rib 10G Rib 11 Inlet 12 Outlet 15 Gas flow path 15A Inlet flow path 15B Outflow channel 15C horizontal flow path 21B Tube material 21M Measurement channel 22 Holder (retaining member) 23 Ultrasonic flow meter (flow meter) 221 Left side case (case) 221H Guide Section 222 Right side case (case)
Claims
1. Gas inlet and Gas outlet and The system comprises an inlet-side flow path extending downward from the inlet, a horizontal flow path extending horizontally from the inlet-side flow path, and an outlet-side flow path extending upward from the horizontal flow path to the outlet, and a gas flow path from the inlet to the outlet, A flow meter for measuring the flow rate of gas flowing through the aforementioned gas channel, Equipped with, The gas meter is provided in the outlet side flow path, where the measurement channel is the gas flow measurement area by the flow meter, The aforementioned measuring channel is provided inside the pipe, and the pipe material to which the flow meter is attached, A pair of cases are assembled in a left-right direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the pipe material and clamp the pipe material, and a holding member holds the pipe material vertically in the outflow side flow path, A housing comprising the holding member, the pipe material, and the flow meter, having an upper part with an open bottom and a bottom part that closes the bottom opening of the upper part, and having the gas passage provided inside. Equipped with, A first annular rib is formed on the upper part of the pipe, and a second annular rib is formed on the lower part of the pipe. The upper part of one of the pair of cases and the upper part of the other of the pair of cases are each provided with upper flat plates that abut against each other from left to right. The lower part of one of the pair of cases and the lower part of the other of the pair of cases are each provided with a lower flat plate that abuts against each other from left to right. The upper flat plate has a groove formed in it into which the upper part of the pipe is fitted, and the first annular rib engages with it from above. The lower flat plate has a groove formed in it into which the lower part of the pipe is fitted, and the second annular rib engages with it from below. Multiple ribs are provided at the boundary between the bottom portion and the upper portion, so as to engage with the lower end of the pair of cases. Gas meter.
2. The aforementioned retaining member is The gas meter according to claim 1, further comprising a guide portion that blocks the gas flowing from the horizontal flow path to the upstream end of the pipe and guides the gas in a direction away from the upstream end of the pipe.