Disclosure of Invention
In this summary, concepts in a simplified form are introduced that are further described in the detailed description. This summary of the invention is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In order to at least partially solve the above problems, the present invention discloses an unattended LNG dispenser for filling a vehicle-mounted tank of a vehicle, the unattended LNG dispenser comprising:
filling a gun;
the gas transmission pipeline is communicated with the filling gun;
a control module;
the POS machine is electrically connected to the control module and can pre-authorize the bank card and transmit an authorization signal to the control module;
a mass flow meter electrically connected to the control module for detecting the mass of the LNG injected into the on-board tank and transmitting a detected mass signal to the control module; and
an emergency cut-off valve which is arranged on the gas transmission pipeline and is electrically connected to the control module so as to open or close the gas transmission pipeline,
wherein the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to fill gas based on the authorization signal; and is
After gas filling is stopped, the control module generates a charge signal based on the quality signal and transmits the charge signal to the POS machine to finish fee deduction.
According to the unattended LNG filling machine, a driver can fill LNG in a self-service mode, self-service fee deduction operation can be achieved, a filling person and a cashier are not needed in a filling station, the filling efficiency can be greatly improved while the operation safety is guaranteed, less people are invested, and the construction cost of the filling station is reduced.
Optionally, the filling gun detection device further comprises a filling gun detection sensor electrically connected to the control module for detecting the position of the filling gun and transmitting the detected filling gun position signal to the control module.
Optionally, the air return gun detection device further comprises an air return gun and an air return gun detection sensor, wherein the air return gun detection sensor is electrically connected to the control module and used for detecting the position of the air return gun and transmitting the detected air return gun position signal to the control module.
Optionally, the device further comprises an electrostatic grounding clamp and an electrostatic grounding detection device, wherein the electrostatic grounding detection device is electrically connected to the control module and used for detecting the state of the electrostatic grounding clamp and transmitting a detected grounding signal to the control module.
Optionally, the emergency cut-off valve further comprises a continuous air-filling button, the continuous air-filling button is electrically connected to the control module, and when the time for pressing the continuous air-filling button exceeds a first time, the control module controls the emergency cut-off valve to open the air conveying pipeline for air filling; when the time for releasing the continuous gas filling button exceeds a second time length, the control module controls the emergency cut-off valve to be closed to stop gas filling.
Optionally, the control system further comprises a fault warning lamp electrically connected to the control module, so that the control module controls the fault warning lamp based on the received fault signal.
Optionally, the unattended LNG dispenser further comprises a snap detection sensor electrically connected to the control module, for detecting whether the filling gun is snapped, and generating the fault signal and transmitting the fault signal to the control module when the filling gun is snapped, and/or
Unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi still includes the collision detection sensor, the collision detection sensor electricity is connected to control module for be used for detecting whether unmanned on duty LNG adds the mechanism of qi and bumps, and produce when unmanned on duty LNG adds the mechanism of qi and bumps fault signal and transmission give control module.
Optionally, still include power module, power module is used for giving each power consumption unit power supply of unmanned on duty LNG dispenser.
Optionally, the system further comprises an LED display screen electrically connected to the control module for displaying the current operating state and transaction processing information.
Optionally, the control module includes a master control module and a slave control module, and the master control module and the slave control module are connected through a 485 bus.
Detailed Description
In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments of the invention.
In the following description, a detailed structure will be presented for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It is apparent that the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art.
The invention discloses an unattended LNG dispenser 100 which is used for filling a vehicle tank of a vehicle. The unattended LNG dispenser 100 mainly comprises a filling gun 110, a gas transmission pipeline, a control module, a POS machine, a mass flow meter and an emergency cut-off valve.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 3.
The gas line communicates with the fill gun 110. In particular, gas pipelines are used for transporting LNG (i.e., liquefied natural gas). The fill gun 110 is for connection with an on-board tank of a vehicle, for example, the fill gun 110 may be inserted into a fill port of the on-board tank to fill the on-board tank with LNG. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the fill gun 110 can be positioned on one side of the unmanned LNG dispenser 100 and one end (e.g., the lower end) of the fill gun 110 can be inserted into a fill gun barrel 130 positioned therebelow.
The emergency cut-off valve can be arranged on the gas transmission pipeline and electrically connected to the control module so as to open or close the gas transmission pipeline. The emergency cutoff valve plays roles of controlling the flow direction of the LNG and safety protection during the action execution period of the unattended LNG dispenser 100. In particular, the slam may be electrically connected to the slave control module such that the slam may control the slam to open or close the gas line.
The control module can include a master control module and a slave control module, and the master control module and the slave control module can be connected through a 485 bus. The processor of the main control module can be a high-performance ARM9 chip. The control module (e.g., the main control module) can collect and process signals, coordinate the actions and functions of the dispenser, and realize the metering, calculating, displaying, fee deducting and safety protection of the unattended LNG dispenser 100.
The POS machine is electrically connected to the control module, and the POS machine can pre-authorize the bank card and transmit an authorization signal to the control module. In particular, before gas filling begins, a card swiping pre-authorization at the POS machine by means of a bank card, for example a credit card, is required. The control module controls the emergency cut-off valve (for example, controls the emergency cut-off valve to open the gas pipeline) based on the authorization signal so as to fill gas.
The mass flow meter is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the mass of the LNG injected into the on-vehicle tank and transmitting a detected mass signal to the control module. In particular, the mass flow meter may be electrically connected to the master control module to be able to transmit the detected mass signal directly to the master control module. After gas filling is stopped, the control module generates a charge signal based on the quality signal, and the charge signal is transmitted to the POS machine to finish fee deduction. Specifically, the main control module can read the information of the accumulated quantity, density, temperature and the like of the mass flow meter to calculate the final expense signal, such as transaction weight and money information and the like. More specifically, a mass flow meter may be provided on the gas line downstream of the quick disconnect valve, or a mass flow meter may be provided on the filling gun 110 for measuring information such as the weight of LNG filled into the vehicle-mounted tank.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a filling gun detection sensor electrically connected to the control module for detecting a position of the filling gun 110 and transmitting a detected position signal of the filling gun 110 to the control module. Specifically, in this embodiment, the fill gun detection sensor may be electrically connected to the slave control module to transmit a detected fill gun 110 position signal to the slave control module and, in turn, to the master control module. More specifically, the fill gun detection sensor can be disposed within the fill gun barrel 130 and can contact the fill gun 110 to sense the position of the fill gun 110 such that the fill gun detection sensor will not sense the fill gun 110 when the fill gun 110 is pulled from the fill gun barrel. Thus, by providing the fill gun detection sensor, it is possible to avoid the fill gun from not being pulled out of the fill gun barrel 130 at the start of filling air, that is, the fill gun 110 from not being inserted into the filling port of the tank mounted on the vehicle, or to avoid the fill gun 110 from not being returned to its original position after filling air, for example, from not being inserted into the fill gun barrel 130.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a gas return gun 120 and a gas return gun detection sensor electrically connected to the control module for detecting a position of the gas return gun 120 and transmitting a detected position signal of the gas return gun 120 to the control module. Specifically, the air return gun detection sensor may be electrically connected to the slave control module to transmit the detected fill gun 110 position signal to the slave control module and, in turn, to the master control module.
More specifically, as shown in fig. 2 and 3, the gas return gun 120 may be disposed on the same side of the unmanned LNG dispenser 100 as the fill gun 110, and one end (e.g., the lower end) of the gas return gun 120 may be insertable into a gas return gun barrel 140 located therebelow. The air return gun detection sensor may be disposed within the air return gun barrel 140 and may be capable of contacting the air return gun 120 to sense the position of the air return gun 120 such that the air return gun detection sensor will not be able to sense the air return gun 120 when the air return gun 120 is pulled out of the air return gun barrel. From this, through setting up the air return gun and detecting the sensor, can avoid the air return to begin the time and not extract the air return gun from air return gun barrel 140, do not be connected to the on-vehicle jar of vehicle with air return gun 120 promptly, or avoid the air return to end the back and do not put back air return gun 120 to the original position, for example insert air return gun barrel 140, can also avoid the dangerous operation of gas entrainment while returning the air simultaneously.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include an electrostatic grounding clamp and an electrostatic grounding detection device electrically connected to the control module for detecting a state of the electrostatic grounding clamp and transmitting a detected grounding signal to the control module. Specifically, the electrostatic ground detection device may be electrically connected to the main control module to directly transmit the detected electrostatic ground signal to the control module. Further, in the invention, the gas filling can be carried out only after the electrostatic grounding clamp is connected, so as to ensure the gas filling safety.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a continuous refilling button electrically connected to the control module, and when the time for pressing the continuous refilling button exceeds a first time period, the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas transmission pipeline for refilling gas; when the time for releasing the continuous gas filling button exceeds a second time length, the control module controls the emergency cut-off valve to be closed to stop gas filling. Therefore, the air-entrapping device ensures the high participation of a driver in the air-entrapping process and avoids accidents. Furthermore, the filling process is ended when the time for which the continuous filling button is released exceeds a third time. The third time period is longer than the second time period.
In particular, the continuous refill button may be electrically connected to the master control module. The first, second, and third durations may be predetermined. For example, the first time period may be 5 seconds, the second time period may be 3 seconds, and the third time period may be 6 seconds, so that when the driver continuously presses the continuous gas filling button for more than 5 seconds, the control module controls the emergency cut valve to open the gas transmission pipeline for gas filling, when the time period for releasing the continuous gas filling button exceeds 3 seconds, the control module controls the emergency cut valve to close to stop gas filling, when the driver continuously presses the continuous gas filling button for more than 6 seconds, the gas filling process is finished, if the continuous gas filling button is pressed again within 3 seconds thereafter, no influence is generated, gas filling is continued, after that, the continuous gas filling button is pressed again for more than 3 seconds, the gas filling is confirmed to be finished, no gas filling operation is performed, and at this time, after the current transaction is finished, the continuous gas filling button is pressed again to perform gas filling again. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the first time period is not limited to 5 seconds, the second time period is not limited to 3 seconds, and the third time period is not limited to 6 seconds, and the first time period may be greater than 5 seconds or less than 5 seconds, the second time period may be greater than 3 seconds or less than 3 seconds, the third time period may be greater than 6 seconds or less than 6 seconds, and the third time period is longer than the second time period, according to actual needs.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a fault notification lamp electrically connected to the control module to allow the control module to control the fault notification lamp based on the received fault signal. Specifically, the fault indicator lamp may be electrically connected to the slave control module, so that the master control module controls the fault indicator lamp based on the received fault signal to be used for indicating whether the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is available, i.e., whether a fault occurs.
More specifically, the fault indication lamp may include a green indicator lamp and a red indicator lamp. When the green indicator light is on, it indicates that all the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is normal and can be used; when the red pilot lamp is bright, it has the trouble to show current unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100, can not use. Alternatively, the fault notification lamp may include only one indicator lamp. When the fault warning light is green, it indicates that all the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is normal and can be used; when the trouble warning light is red, it has the trouble to show current unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100, can not use.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a snap detection sensor electrically connected to the control module for detecting whether the filling gun 110 is snapped, and generating a fault signal and transmitting the fault signal to the control module when the filling gun 110 is snapped. Specifically, the snap detection sensor may be electrically connected to the slave control module to transmit the fault signal to the slave control module and then to the master control module. The main control module can control the fault prompting lamp based on the received fault signal, and meanwhile, the main control module can also automatically interlock to stop the valve pump and enter a maintenance state. More specifically, the fill gun 110 has an end interface at the other end (e.g., upper end), and the snap detection sensor can correspond in position to the end interface of the fill gun 110 and can contact the end interface of the fill gun 110 to sense contact with the end interface of the fill gun 110 such that when the fill gun 110 is snapped off, the end interface and the snap detection sensor are no longer in contact.
Unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100 can also include the collision detection sensor, and the collision detection sensor electricity is connected to control module, is used for detecting whether unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100 bumps to produce when unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100 bumps fault signal transmits for control module. Specifically, the collision detection sensor may be electrically connected to the slave control module to transmit the fault signal to the slave control module and then to the master control module. The main control module can control the fault prompting lamp based on the received fault signal, and meanwhile, the main control module can also automatically interlock to stop the valve pump and enter a maintenance state. More specifically, the unattended LNG dispenser 100 may include a plurality of collision detection sensors, which may be disposed at a position where the unattended LNG dispenser 100 is likely to collide.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include an LED display 150, the LED display 150 being electrically connected to the control module for displaying a current operation state and transaction processing information. Specifically, the LED display lamp is electrically connected to the main control module for displaying information such as current transaction amount, transaction weight, and equivalence, and may show the current operation action of the unattended LNG dispenser 100 in the form of an image or a text, for example, when "Ground" is shown on the LED display screen 150, it indicates that grounding is required for grounding the electrostatic grounding clip.
The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a power module for supplying power to each power unit of the unattended LNG dispenser 100. Specifically, the power supply module may provide voltages of 3.3V, 5.0V, and 24V to supply power to the respective power consuming units, respectively. For example, the power module may provide power to the master control module, the slave control module, the fault notification light, the LED display 150, and the like.
The autonomous gas filling process of the unattended LNG dispenser 100 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1.
After the power-on initialization of the unattended LNG dispenser 100 is completed, the main control module can perform system inspection, and if all the inspection results are normal, the main control module controls the green indicator light of the fault indicator light back to light so as to indicate that the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 can be used.
Then before gas filling, a bank card needs to be used for card swiping pre-authorization on the POS machine, the POS machine transmits an authorization signal to the main control module, and gas filling can be started at the moment. If the electrostatic grounding clamp is not connected well, the electrostatic grounding detection device can detect electrostatic grounding failure and transmit the detected electrostatic grounding signal to the main control module, at the moment, the grounding failure is displayed on the LED display screen 150 to prompt an operator such as a driver to ground the electrostatic grounding clamp, and after the electrostatic grounding clamp is grounded, the grounding failure prompt on the LED display screen 150 disappears.
If the on-vehicle jar internal pressure of vehicle is too high, then need carry out the pressure release, when return air rifle 120 is mentioned, return air rifle detects that return air rifle 120 leaves rifle bucket 130 when the rifle that detects, unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100 and enters into the return air mode. After the return air is completed, the return air gun 120 is retrieved to the gun barrel 130. The filling gun 110 can then be lifted and inserted into the filling port of the vehicle tank, the continuous filling button is pressed, the slave control module controls the opening of the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas transmission pipeline, and the unattended LNG filling machine 100 enters the filling mode.
In the gas filling process, the main control module continuously reads the quality signal transmitted by the mass flow meter to obtain the metering information, and calculates the transaction weight and the transaction amount to be displayed on the LED display screen 150. When gas filling is completed, the main control module forms transaction records of transaction information such as transaction amount, transaction weight, unit price and the like, stores the transaction records, transmits the transaction records as fee signals to the POS machine, and finally the POS machine completes fee deduction and finishes transaction. At this time, the operator, for example, a driver, can release the electrostatic grounding clamp and drive away.
When unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi 100 and receives the collision, collision sensor sends fault signal to host system, and host system enters into unavailable state with unmanned on duty LNG with mechanism of qi 100 immediately to the red pilot lamp of control trouble warning light is bright.
When the filling gun 110 is broken, the breaking sensor sends a fault signal to the main control module, the main control module immediately enables the unattended LNG filling machine 100 to enter an unavailable state, and a red indicator lamp of the fault indicator lamp is controlled to be turned on.
According to the unattended LNG dispenser 100, a driver can fill LNG in a self-service mode, self-service fee deduction operation can be achieved, a gas station does not need special filling personnel and cashier personnel, filling efficiency can be greatly improved while operation safety is guaranteed, less personnel are invested, and construction cost of the gas station is reduced.
Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Terms such as "disposed" and the like, as used herein, may refer to one element being directly attached to another element or one element being attached to another element through intervening elements. Features described herein in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment, either alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is otherwise inapplicable or otherwise stated in the other embodiment.
The present invention has been described in terms of the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the invention to the scope of the described embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made to the teachings of the invention, which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.