JP2020093804A - Fuel supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel supply system having a fuel leakage inspection function.SOLUTION: The fuel supply system including a pump 11 provided in a fuel supply passage for delivering fuel from a fuel storage tank 22 to a fuel supply nozzle 17, and a flowmeter 13 for measuring a fuel liquid amount delivered from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle comprises: leakage determination means for determining a presence/absence of a fuel leakage in a fuel supply passage on a downstream side of the pump when a fuel supply work by an operation of the fuel supply nozzle is not being executed; and determination preparation means for driving the pump when the fuel supply work by the operation of the fuel supply nozzle is not being executed, and stopping driving of the pump when a hydraulic pressure inside an interior of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump reaches a state in which the presence/absence of the fuel leakage can be confirmed. After the hydraulic pressure inside the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump has been made by the determination preparation means to reach the state in which the presence/absence of the fuel leakage can be confirmed, the presence/absence of the fuel leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is determined by the leakage determination means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply system for refueling a fuel tank or the like of a vehicle, and more particularly to a fuel supply system having a fuel leak inspection function for a fuel supply path.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a fuel supply system such as a refueling device, confirmation of fuel leakage from each member constituting the fuel supply path and its connecting portion has been performed by visual inspection by a staff member of a fuel supply facility or a maintenance worker.

However, in the visual inspection, an inspection omission (forgotten inspection) may occur at an inspection required portion, or the inspection work itself is troublesome. Therefore, there is a demand for a mechanism that enables easy and reliable automatic fuel leakage inspection without relying on visual inspection.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a pump is started to be driven in a state where refueling work is not performed, and after the first time (for example, 2 seconds) has elapsed after the start of driving, a second time (for example, 5 There is disclosed a refueling device that informs of fuel leakage from the fuel supply path when the supply of the fuel in excess of a predetermined liquid amount is measured before reaching (minute).

JP, 59-212287, A

The above-described oil supply device of Patent Document 1 continues to drive the pump motor for a certain period of time (for example, 5 minutes in the case of Patent Document 1) when confirming whether or not there is a leak in the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump, and during this period. , If a flow rate corresponding to a specific pulse number that is stored in advance and is used to determine the leak in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is measured, it is determined that there is a leak in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. It is configured to do.

By the way, when the pump motor is continuously driven for a certain time (5 minutes) in order to confirm whether or not there is a leak in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, the fuel actually supplied from the pump to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side is checked. The liquid amount depends not only on the presence or absence of leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, but for example, even if there is no leakage, the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump such as expansion/contraction of the fuel supply hose (fuel supply hose). It changes according to the flow path state of (1) and the leakage status when there is leakage.

Therefore, in the fuel supply device of Patent Document 1, for example, even when the fuel supply hose is expanded and the flow path state of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is changed, it is possible to make an error in the determination of the leakage. In order to prevent this from happening, the flow rate corresponding to the specific number of pulses used for the leak determination is the same as the original fluid pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump where the fluid pressure state is decreasing due to the expansion change. It includes the flow rate of the number of pulses supplied from the pump to bring it into the state. In other words, in the oil supply device of Patent Document 1, the flow state of the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump changes during the constant drive time (5 minutes) of the pump motor for checking the presence or absence of leakage. Even if occurs, the predetermined drive time (2 seconds) necessary for returning the hydraulic state of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump to the original state is unconditionally included.
As a result, the conventional techniques including Patent Document 1 have the following problems.

For example, there is no change in the flow path state of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, and the hydraulic pressure state in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump does not change even if the pump motor is not driven for a predetermined drive time (2 seconds). Even if there is no change from the original state and it is in a hydraulic state where the presence or absence of leakage can be effectively confirmed from the beginning, the determination of the presence or absence of leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is A flow rate corresponding to a specific number of pulses, including the flow rate that is supplied from the pump to the downstream fuel supply path in order to restore the original fluid pressure state in the downstream fuel supply path. It will be done based on.

As a result, if the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump is in a hydraulic state where the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed from the beginning without continuously driving the pump motor for a predetermined time (2 seconds), this predetermined time If there is no fuel leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, the drive for (2 seconds) becomes unnecessary drive, and there is actually a fuel leakage location on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. If it is, the pump is supplied from the pump to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side in order to restore the fluid pressure state in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump to the original state at the specific pulse number used for the leakage determination. Since the flow rate is included, there is a problem in that unnecessary leakage of fuel from the leakage point is caused.

The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply system, and shortens a drive time of a pump motor for a fuel leak inspection as much as possible to suppress unnecessary fuel leakage and unnecessary consumption of drive power of a pump motor during an inspection. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a fuel supply system having a fuel leakage inspection function that enables accurate and quick leakage determination.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the fuel supply system according to the present disclosure confirms whether or not there is a leak in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump when performing the fuel leakage inspection on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. The drive of the pump motor to make it possible to distinguish hydraulic pressure is distinguished, and when the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is in a hydraulic state where it can be confirmed whether fuel is leaking, It is configured to determine whether or not there is a leak in the fuel supply path.

Specifically, in the fuel supply system according to the present disclosure, one end side is connected to a fuel storage tank, and a fuel supply nozzle is provided at the other end side, and a fuel supply path is provided. A fuel supply system comprising a pump for delivering fuel to a supply nozzle, and a flow meter for measuring the amount of fuel liquid delivered from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle, wherein fuel supply work is performed by operating the fuel supply nozzle. Leakage determining means for determining the presence or absence of fuel leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, and driving the pump when fuel supply work is not performed by operating the fuel supply nozzle. A determination preparation means for stopping the drive of the pump when the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is in a fluid pressure state where it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of leakage of fuel, It is characterized in that, after the inside of the fuel supply passage on the side is made into a hydraulic pressure state capable of confirming the presence or absence of leakage of fuel, the presence or absence of leakage of fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is determined by the leakage determination means. ..

According to the fuel supply system of the present disclosure, the drive time of the pump motor for the fuel leak inspection is shortened as much as possible to suppress unnecessary fuel leakage that occurs during the inspection and unnecessary drive power consumption of the pump motor, In addition, leak determination can be performed accurately and quickly.

In addition, problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above of the present disclosure will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of an oil supply device as an embodiment of a fuel supply system according to the present disclosure. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of the pump unit provided in the oil supply apparatus. It is a flow chart of refueling work control processing which a control device of a refueling device performs. 4 is a part of a flowchart according to an embodiment of a leakage inspection process in the refueling work control process shown in FIG. 3. 5 is the remaining part of the flowchart according to the embodiment of the leakage inspection process shown in FIG. 4. 6 is a part of a flowchart according to another embodiment of a leakage inspection process in the refueling work control process shown in FIG. 3. 7 is the rest of the flowchart according to the embodiment of the leakage inspection process shown in FIG. 6.

Regarding an embodiment of a fuel supply system according to the present disclosure, a fuel supply system that is installed at a gas supply station such as a gas station and has a cylinder tip of a fuel supply nozzle inserted into a fuel supply port of a vehicle or the like to supply fuel such as gasoline or light oil to the vehicle or the like. The device will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an example of an oil supply device as an embodiment of a fuel supply system according to the present disclosure.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a pump unit provided in the oil supply device.

In FIG. 1, an oil supply device 1 is a ground-mounted type oil supply device. In the fuel supply device 1, a pump 11 driven by a pump motor 12 and a flow meter 13 for measuring the liquid amount of fuel discharged from the pump 11 are housed in a fuel supply device main body 2. Further, a structure is provided in which a refueling hose 16 is connected from the refueling device main body 2 to the outflow side of the flowmeter 13 through an internal pipe 15 and has a refueling hose 16 connected to a refueling nozzle 17 at its tip. The suction side of the pump 11 is connected through the underground pipe 21 to the liquid in the underground tank 22 that stores the fuel oil liquid.

In the fuel supply device 1, the fuel oil liquid pumped up from the underground tank 22 by the pump 11 is supplied to the flowmeter 13, and the amount of the liquid is measured. A flow transmitter 14 is attached to the flow meter 13, and the flow transmitter 14 outputs a flow pulse proportional to the flow of the fuel oil liquid for each unit liquid amount.

Here, the pump 11 is normally provided integrally with a pump-equipped device such as an air separator and a filter in one housing unit having an inlet and an outlet, and is configured as a pump unit 110. There is. As shown in FIG. 2, the pump unit 110 includes a strainer 111, an inflow side check valve 112, a pump body 113, an air separator 114, from an upstream side (underground tank 22 side) to a downstream side (flow meter 13 side). The filter 115 and the outflow side check valve 116 are sequentially arranged. In addition, a gas-liquid separator 117 is arranged in the pump unit so as to connect the outflow side of the air separator 114 and the inflow side (suction side) of the pump body 113, and the gas-liquid separator 117 is arranged on the discharge side of the pump body 113. A relief passage 119 provided with a relief valve 118 is provided so as to connect the outflow side of a certain filter 115 and the inflow side of the pump body 113.

Although not shown, the oil supply nozzle 17 has a valve mechanism that opens and closes a valve arranged in a flow path in the nozzle body in accordance with the operation amount of the nozzle lever, and one or more operation positions of the nozzle lever. A lever holding mechanism that can hold the desired position, and an automatic valve closing mechanism that closes the valve mechanism regardless of the valve opening operation state of the nozzle lever when the liquid level of the fuel oil liquid to be supplied reaches the tip of the nozzle cylinder. And so on. The operator can hold the valve opening amount (valve opening position) of the valve mechanism at the valve opening amount corresponding to the desired position by holding the nozzle lever at the desired position of the lever holding mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 1, the refueling nozzle 17 is stored in the nozzle housing portion 18 provided in the refueling device main body 2 when it is not used for refueling work. During refueling work, the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 by the worker, and the worker inserts the discharge pipe at the tip into the refueling port of the vehicle or the like and operates the nozzle lever to open the valve of the valve mechanism. By opening the valve, the fuel tank can be replenished with fuel. The nozzle housing portion 18 is provided with a nozzle switch 19 for detecting the take-out and hanging-back of the refueling nozzle 17. Refueling information such as the amount of refueling at the time of refueling work is displayed on a display unit 20 provided with its display surface facing from the refueling device main body 2 to the outside.

In the refueling device main body 2, in addition to devices such as the pump 11 and the flow meter 13, a control device 23 that controls each part of the refueling device, and a pump motor drive circuit 24 that drives and controls the pump motor 12 based on an instruction from the control device 23. It is provided. The control device 23 is configured to include a microcomputer device including a memory, an input/output interface and the like. The detection signal of the nozzle switch 19, the flow rate pulse output of the flow rate transmitter 14, and the like are input to the control device 23, and each part of the oil supply device 1 is controlled based on these signal inputs.

Specifically, the control device 23 drives the pump motor 12 via the pump motor drive circuit 24 by taking out the refueling nozzle 17 from the nozzle accommodating portion 18 based on the detection signal from the nozzle switch 19, and the refueling nozzle 17 By driving the pump motor 12 through the pump motor drive circuit 24 by returning the fuel oil liquid to the nozzle housing portion 18, and functions as an oil liquid supply control unit that controls the supply of the fuel oil liquid to the oil supply nozzle 17. .. Further, the control device 23 also functions as a lubrication amount calculation display unit that calculates the lubrication amount during the lubrication work based on the input of the flow rate pulse from the flow rate transmitter 14 and displays it on the display device 20.

Further, in the case of the fuel supply device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 23 can also function as a fuel leakage inspection unit.

As a fuel leakage inspection unit, the control device 23 performs a refueling operation using the refueling nozzle 17 for a state in which the refueling nozzle 17 is hooked back onto the nozzle housing unit 18, that is, for a supply target of a fuel tank such as a vehicle. In a state in which fuel is not leaked, fuel leaks from the internal piping 15, the fuel supply hose 16, the fuel supply nozzle 17, etc., which constitute the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 and the joints between these devices. Inspect whether it has occurred.

Therefore, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 23 controls each part of the refueling device 1 as a refueling amount calculation display part, an oil liquid supply control part, and a fuel leakage inspection part, and is shown in FIG. Such refueling work control processing is performed.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a refueling work control process executed by the control device of the refueling device.

In FIG. 3, the control device 23 performs the power-on process based on the reception of drive power to itself when the device power of the refueling device 1 is turned on at the start of the filling station (S001) ( S002).

In this case, the power-on process shown in step S002 includes the power-off process (S021, S034), which will be described later, in addition to the normal power-on reset process and the like. It also includes reading of the latest leak inspection result record that is saved and stored in the memory of the control device 23 that can be stored. Then, when the power-on process (S002) is completed, the control device 23 determines whether the recorded content of the latest leak inspection result that has been read is that there is no leak abnormality or there is a leak abnormality (S003).

When the content of the latest leak inspection result record is that there is no leakage abnormality, the control device 23 performs the normal device startup processing including the processing shown in steps S004 and S005, while the latest content of the leak inspection result record is If there is a leakage abnormality, the abnormality activation device start processing shown in step S031 and thereafter is performed.

In the case of the refueling device 1 according to the present embodiment, the control device 23 has not yet performed the fuel supply operation for the supply target in the normal-time device startup process in which the refueling nozzle 17 is housed in the nozzle housing portion 18. In this state, first, a leakage inspection process for inspecting the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 for the presence of a leakage portion is performed (S004). The specific processing contents of this leakage inspection processing will be described later in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

As described above, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, when the device power supply of the refueling device 1 is turned on (S001) and the refueling device 1 is normally started up (S002, S003: YES), first, the pump 11 Leakage inspection processing (S004) is performed on the downstream fuel supply path. Then, when the leakage inspection process (S004) at the time of starting the device of the refueling device 1 is executed and it is confirmed that there is no leakage abnormality, the control device 23 is an inspection that measures the execution time interval of the leakage inspection provided in the device. The interval timer is reset and a new time measurement of the execution time interval of the leakage inspection by the inspection interval timer is started (S005).

After that, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 23 determines whether it is time to execute the next leak inspection (S006), whether the immediate execution of the next leak inspection is instructed (S007), or refueling. Whether or not the device power supply of the refueling device 1 has been cut off at the end of a certain period (S008), and whether or not execution of refueling work for a new supply target has been started (S009), respectively. Monitor. Then, until any of execution of the next leakage inspection (S006, S007), execution start of refueling work (S009), and disconnection operation of the device power supply (S008) is detected, the control device 23 proceeds to step S006. -Each process shown in S009 is repeatedly executed, and the refueling device 1 is in a standby state.

Specifically, the control device 23 determines whether or not it is time to execute the next leakage inspection (S006) based on whether or not the time measured by the inspection interval timer described above has reached a predetermined time. Further, the control device 23 determines whether or not an immediate execution of the next leak inspection is instructed (S007) by, for example, a leak inspection execution switch provided in a setting device (not shown) of the refueling device 1 or a staff member of the gas station. It is operated based on whether or not the operation is performed by the maintenance worker and the operation input is detected. Further, the control device 23 starts the execution of the refueling operation for the new supply target (S009), for example, by detecting the extraction of the refueling nozzle 17 from the nozzle housing portion 18 based on the switch output of the nozzle switch 19. Further, the control device 23 determines whether or not the device power source of the refueling device 1 has been disconnected (S008) based on whether or not the device power switch disconnection operation has been input.

As a result, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 23 operates the leak inspection execution switch at the time of the next leakage inspection execution time (S006: YES) or by a staff member of the gas station. At this time (S007: YES), the leak inspection process shown in step S004 is performed. That is, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, when the device is started (S002), and after the device is started, a predetermined time interval is periodically provided (S006), and a desired operation based on the operation of the leakage inspection execution switch is performed. At a timing, a leak inspection process (S004) is performed on the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11.

In addition, in the case of the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, the leakage inspection process for the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 is performed once a day when the operation of the refueling device 1 is started based on the turning on of the device power supply (S001). Therefore, in other cases, it is preferable that the environmental conditions are different during the day such as daytime and nighttime. Therefore, the inspection interval timer may measure the time interval between inspections as shown in the figure, or may detect one or a plurality of preset time intervals in one day. May be.

On the other hand, when the refueling device 1 is in the standby state, the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 by the customer at the service station or in the case of a self-service refueling station, and the operator performs the fuel supply operation using the refueling nozzle 17. When the control device 23 detects the start of execution based on the output of the nozzle switch 19, the control device 23 functions as an oil liquid supply control unit and a refueling amount calculation display unit to operate the refueling nozzle 17 shown in steps S010 to S013. Start the processing during refueling work based on this.

In the refueling operation process, when the control device 23 first detects the start of the refueling operation based on the detection signal from the nozzle switch 19, it executes the refueling operation start process (S010). In the refueling operation start process, the oil liquid supply control unit activates the pump motor 12 via the pump motor drive circuit 24 in preparation for the actual fuel supply by the valve opening operation of the refueling nozzle 17, or as the refueling amount calculation display unit. , A display of a display 20 for resetting the fuel supply amount counter for calculating the fuel supply amount to the supply target based on the count of the flow rate pulse output from the flow rate transmitter 14 and for notifying the customer of refueling information. To reset.

When the control device 23 performs the refueling work start process shown in step S010, the control device 23 performs a refueling work in-progress process (S011) and a refueling work end monitoring process (S012). In the process during refueling operation (S010), the control device 23 uses the fuel supply amount counter to successively calculate the fuel supply amount, which is the fuel supply amount to the supply target, in accordance with the input of the flow rate pulse, or the sequential calculation. The refueling information such as the calculated refueling amount is displayed on the display 20. In the refueling work end monitoring process (S012), during this refueling work, it is monitored in parallel whether or not the refueling nozzle 17 has been hooked back into the nozzle housing portion 18 based on the output of the nozzle switch 19, and the refueling nozzle 17 determines whether the refueling nozzle 17 has a nozzle. When the end of the refueling work is detected by being put back in the storage unit 18, the refueling work in-process (S011) is ended.

After that, the control device 23 performs the refueling work end processing (S013) such as stopping the driving of the pump motor 12 via the pump motor drive circuit 24, and then repeatedly executes the processing shown in steps S006-S009. Become. As a result, the refueling device 1 is in the standby state in preparation for the next fuel supply operation, in which the fuel supply nozzle 17 is housed in the nozzle housing portion 18 and the fuel supply operation based on the operation of the fuel supply nozzle 17 is not being performed. Return to.

On the other hand, in the standby state shown by the repeated execution of steps S006 to S009, when it is instructed to cut off the device power supply of the fuel supply device 1 (S008), the control device 23 executes the power-off process (S021). In this case, in this power-off process, the result of the leakage inspection process (S004) most recently executed as the content of the latest leakage inspection result record in the memory of the control device 23 capable of storing and holding even when the power is turned off. It includes processing such as saving and storing information.

By the way, when the content of the latest leak inspection result record read after the device power of the refueling device 1 is turned on (S001) indicates that there is a leakage abnormality (S003: NO), the control device 23 receives the refueling work acceptance. Prohibition processing is performed (S031). When the refueling work acceptance prohibition process is performed, the control device 23 informs that a leakage abnormality has occurred in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 by using an indicator 20 or an alarm device such as a buzzer (not shown). While outputting, after that, even if the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18, the pump motor 12 is not started via the pump motor drive circuit 24, and reception of refueling work is prohibited. Become.

Then, the control device 23 determines whether or not the power station staff has instructed to cut off the device power supply in order to prohibit the use of the refueling device 1 based on the occurrence of the leakage abnormality (S032), and the refueling device 1 It is monitored whether or not the start of maintenance work is set by the maintenance worker to perform the repair (S033). Then, when the controller 23 is instructed to cut off the power supply to the device, the control device 23 performs a power-off process and ends the process (S034). When execution of maintenance work is set, the control device 23 shifts to the maintenance work mode. In the maintenance work mode, the control device 23 permits operation for maintenance of the entire refueling device 1 or each part of the device for failure repair or inspection confirmation after failure repair, for example, according to a command operation of a maintenance worker. To do.

According to the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, when the operation of the refueling device 1 is started based on the turning on of the device power supply (S001) and when the preset leakage inspection execution time comes (S006), the pump 11 is downstream. The leak inspection process (S004) for the fuel supply path on the side is automatically performed. Further, the staff of the gas station operates the leakage inspection execution switch (S007), so that the leakage inspection processing (S004) can be performed at any desired timing. As a result, the leakage inspection process (S004) can be appropriately performed at appropriate timing without causing inspection leakage (forgotten inspection).

Next, specific processing contents of the leakage inspection processing shown in step S004 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to an embodiment of the leakage inspection process in the refueling work control process shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a continuation of the flowchart according to the embodiment of the leakage inspection process shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the leakage inspection process, when starting the process, the control device 23 first prepares to start the execution of the leakage inspection (S101). In the present embodiment, the control device 23 resets the first leakage determination flow rate counter V1 and the second leakage determination flow rate counter V2 to zero and prepares the fuel supply on the downstream side of the pump 11 in advance in preparation for starting the execution of the leakage inspection. The first abnormality determination integrated value α and the second abnormality determination integrated value β set according to the configuration of the path (for example, supply path length, supply path constituent member, installation environment, etc.) are read.

Then, the control device 23 starts the drive of the pump motor 12 via the pump motor drive circuit 24 (S102), and also controls the output interval of the flow rate pulse output from the flow rate transmitter 14 by a flow pulse output interval timer timer. The count value is reset to zero, the time counting is started (S103), and the leakage inspection is started.

Here, when the leak inspection mode is executed, as shown in FIG. 3, it is at the time of starting the operation of the refueling device 1 when the device power is turned on (S001), and the predetermined inspection time for the leak inspection has come. This is the time (S006), and is the time when the staff at the gas station operates the leakage inspection execution switch (S007). Then, in any of these cases, the refueling device 1 is in a storage state in which the operation lever of the refueling nozzle 17 is closed and the valve mechanism is in a closed state, and the refueling nozzle 17 is hooked back into the nozzle storage portion 18. It has become. Therefore, when starting the leakage inspection process, the refueling device 1 normally determines that the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 has a flow path on the tip side of the fuel supply path due to the closing of the valve mechanism of the refueling nozzle 17. It is cut off.

Therefore, in this state, when the pump motor 12 is driven by executing step S102, if the hydraulic pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 has reached the relief pressure of the pump 11, The fuel discharged from the discharge side of the pump 11 is not supplied to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, but is returned to the suction side of the pump 11 via the relief passage 119 of the pump unit 110. On the other hand, when the pump motor 12 is started to be driven by the execution of step S102, if the liquid pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 has not reached the relief pressure of the pump 11, discharge from the discharge side of the pump 11 is performed. The generated fuel is first supplied to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 to increase the hydraulic pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. After that, if the hydraulic pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 reaches the relief pressure of the pump 11, the fuel is not supplied to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, and the relief passage 119 of the pump unit 110 is not supplied. It is returned to the suction side of the pump 11 via.

In this case, the relief pressure of the pump 11 is determined according to the valve opening pressure of the relief valve 118 provided in the relief passage 119 of the pump unit 110 that bypasses the discharge side and the suction side of the pump 11. The relief valve 118 is constantly urged in the valve closing direction by the spring force of a coil spring, for example. Therefore, the relief valve 118 opens when the hydraulic pressure on the discharge side of the pump 11, that is, the hydraulic pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 becomes larger than the urging force of the coil spring, and the urging force of the coil spring. If it becomes smaller than this, the valve will close. The relief pressure of the pump 11 is normally the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 in a state where the fuel discharged from the pump 11 is being supplied to the supply target from the fuel supply nozzle 17 when the valve mechanism of the fuel supply nozzle 17 is open. It is set to a value higher than the hydraulic pressure of the fuel inside and above atmospheric pressure. Specifically, the relief pressure of the pump 11 increases even if the internal fuel liquid pressure rises due to contraction or the like in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 due to changes in the external environment. The pressure is such that the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 including the pump can be prevented from being damaged such as fuel leakage.

Then, the refueling is automatically performed by the stop control of the pump motor 12 and the closing control of the metering valve provided in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 without depending on the valve closing operation of the valve mechanism of the refueling nozzle 17. For example, when automatic refueling such as preset refueling is performed such as ending the refueling, the fluid pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump 11 or the metering valve after the completion of the automatic refueling is determined by closing the valve mechanism of the refueling nozzle 17. The value is lower than that in the case of performing the normal fuel supply for ending the fuel supply to the supply target by the valve operation.

On the other hand, even when the refueling device 1 is not used for refueling work for a long time and the state of the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 expands and changes due to environmental changes such as temperature during that time, the downstream side of the pump 11 The hydraulic pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage of No. 1 drops in accordance with the state change of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 immediately after the fuel supply work is completed using the fuel supply device 1 last time, It gets lower.

Therefore, the first abnormality determination integrated value α read in the preparation for starting the execution of the leakage inspection shown in step S101 is driven by the pump motor 12 even though there is no leakage point in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. When started, the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, which has decreased after the above-mentioned fixed amount fuel supply or due to the state change of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, is increased to the relief pressure of the pump 11. Therefore, a value set on the basis of the amount of liquid supplied from the pump 11 to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is allowed, assuming that there is no leakage point on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. The liquid volume value is such that For example, if the first fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 originally has no leakage spot, the first abnormality determination integrated value α is calculated by using the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 as the fuel supply passage. It has a value corresponding to the amount of liquid supplied from the pump 11 that can be increased toward the relief pressure of the pump 11 regardless of the pressure state of the fuel in the passage.

On the other hand, the second abnormality determination integrated value β, which is also read out in the preparation for starting the execution of the leakage inspection shown in step S101, is the fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 Regardless of the expansion/contraction state, etc., assuming that the predetermined pressure state (for example, the relief pressure of the pump 11) has already been reached, the value is smaller than the first abnormality determination integrated value α, and the fuel supply path It is a value that can cope with the detection of a slight amount of leakage due to the exudation of fuel from the vehicle. For example, when the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is lower than the relief pressure of the pump 11, the supply liquid from the pump 11 for increasing the liquid pressure toward the relief pressure of the pump 11. It is smaller than the amount.

Then, when the leakage inspection is actually started in steps S102 and S103 of FIG. 4, the control device 23 outputs from the flow rate transmitter 14 attached to the flow meter 13 corresponding to the flow for each unit liquid amount. Whether the flow rate pulse is input (S104), whether the flow rate pulse is not input from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time (S105), or whether the refueling nozzle 17 is removed from the nozzle housing portion 18 (S106). I'm watching. Among them, when the flow rate pulse is not input from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time, the fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is irrespective of the expansion/contraction state of the fuel supply passage. This corresponds to a state in which a predetermined pressure state (for example, the relief pressure of the pump 11) has already been reached, and the inside of the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump is filled with fuel (a hydraulic pressure state in which the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed).

Here, when the control device 23 detects that the flow rate pulse is input from the flow rate transmitter 14 (S104: YES), the first leak determination flow rate that has been reset to zero in the preparation for starting the execution of the leak test (S101). The count value of the counter V1 is incremented (S107), and it is determined whether or not the first leakage determination flow rate indicated by the count value exceeds the first abnormality determination integrated value α (S108).

Then, if the first leakage determination flow rate does not exceed the first abnormality determination integrated value α in the determination of step S108, the control device 23 repeats the monitoring of steps S104 to S106, but the first leakage determination is performed. When the first leakage determination flow rate, which is the count value of the determination flow rate counter V1, exceeds the first abnormality determination integrated value α, the drive of the pump motor 12 is immediately stopped (S201), and the pump 11 is placed downstream. An alarm indicating that an abnormality has occurred due to fuel leakage from the fuel supply path on the side is output (FIG. 5, S203), and acceptance of fuel supply work using the refueling nozzle 17 is prohibited (S204). As a result, in the refueling device 1, even if the refueling nozzle 17 is subsequently taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 for performing the fuel supply work and the detection signal is input from the nozzle switch 19, the control device 23 causes the pump 11 to operate. Assuming that fuel has leaked to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side, the drive of the pump motor 12 is not started, and no new refueling work is accepted. In this case, as the fuel leakage occurring in the fuel supply passage, for example, in order to increase the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump 11 which is lower than the relief pressure of the pump 11. Even if the fuel is supplied from the pump 11, the fuel leak is such that the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 cannot be easily increased.

Therefore, after that, the control device 23 prohibits the use of the refueling device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, based on the leakage inspection result that the leakage abnormality has occurred (FIG. 4, S108: YES). Therefore, it is monitored whether or not an instruction to cut off the device power supply has been set by the staff of the gas station (S032), and whether or not the maintenance worker has instructed to start execution of the maintenance work in order to repair the fueling device 1 (S033). It will be different.

On the other hand, when the control device 23 detects that there is no input of the flow rate pulse from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time in the monitoring of steps S104 to S106 shown in FIG. 4 (S105: YES), it drives the pump motor 12. It is once stopped (S109). In the present embodiment, if the flow pulse input from the flow transmitter 14 has not been performed for a certain period of time (S105: YES), the control device 23 causes the flow pulse output interval timer that started the clocking in step S103 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the set predetermined time is measured. In this case, the predetermined time period corresponds to a time period during which it is possible to determine that the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel supplied from the pump 11 to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is zero.

Here, among the fuel discharged from the pump 11, the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel on the downstream side of the pump 11 is zero, which means that the fuel is discharged from the pump 11 even when the pump 11 (pump motor 12) is being driven. The fuel that flows through the relief passage 119 of the pump unit 110 is returned to the suction side of the pump 11, and the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 does not increase toward the relief pressure of the pump 11. Corresponds to.

Therefore, the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel flowing from the pump 11 to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side is zero, which means that the count value of the first leakage determination flow rate counter V1 is the first on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. No large leakage location exceeding the abnormality determination integrated value α has occurred, and the fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 has a predetermined value, for example, the relief pressure of the pump 11 or the vicinity thereof. It corresponds to reaching the value.

Therefore, regarding the determination time in step S105, the purpose is to distinguish the drive of the pump motor 12 for making the hydraulic pressure state in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 such that the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed. Therefore, in the monitoring process of steps S115 to S117 shown in FIG. 5, which will be described later, a constant time for highly accurately determining that fuel leakage has not occurred from the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 by inputting the flow rate pulse. The time does not have to be the same as (S116), and can be set to a time shorter than the fixed time (S116) used for this fuel leakage.

Then, when the control device 23 temporarily stops the drive of the pump motor 12 in step S109, the control device 23 drives the pump 11 in the leakage inspection provided in the device at an interval of drive, that is, the pump motor 12 that is temporarily stopped in step S109. The leak determination interval timer for measuring that the stop time of has reached a predetermined time set in advance is reset and the time counting is started (S110).

Here, the drive interval of the pump 11 measured by the leak determination interval timer is the drive of the pump motor 12 during steps S102 to S109, and the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is the relief of the pump 11. For example, when the fuel in the static pressure state having a pressure or a value in the vicinity thereof has a minute leak portion such as a crack in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, the fuel leaks out from there. The time is such that a minute pressure drop appears (for example, 2 to 3 minutes).

Therefore, when the control device 23 causes the leak determination interval timer to start measuring the predetermined stop time in step S110, whether or not the leak determination interval timer measures the predetermined stop time during this period (S111), and from the nozzle switch 19 Whether or not the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 based on the detection signal of (S112) is monitored in parallel.

Then, when the control device 23 detects that the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 before the leak determination interval timer measures the predetermined stop time (S112: YES), the leak occurs in the case of the embodiment. Since the inspection is in the process of being executed, an inspection interruption process such as outputting an alarm for instructing the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 to be housed in the nozzle housing section 18 is performed (S312), and the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 is replaced by the nozzle housing section. It is monitored based on the detection signal from the nozzle switch 19 whether it has been returned to 18 and stored (S313). When the control device 23 confirms that the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 is returned to the nozzle housing portion 18 (S313: YES), it performs an inspection restart process such as stopping the output of the alarm (S314), and step S111, The measurement of the predetermined stop time by the leak determination interval timer shown in S112 is continuously restarted.

On the other hand, in the monitoring of steps S104 to S106, when the control device 23 detects that the refueling nozzle 17 has been taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 (S106: YES), in this case, the leakage inspection is in progress. Since the pump motor 12 is in the drive state for the leakage inspection, the drive of the pump motor 12 is stopped (S301). Further, the control device 23 stops the counting of the flow rate pulse output interval timer that counts that the flow rate pulse input from the flow rate transmitter 14 has not been input for a certain period of time, resets its count value, or takes out the refueling nozzle 17 that has been taken out. The inspection interruption processing such as outputting an alarm for instructing the storage of the nozzle into the nozzle storage portion 18 is performed (S302), and it is determined whether or not the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 is returned to the nozzle storage portion 18 and stored. It monitors based on the detection signal from (S303). When the control device 23 confirms that the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 has been returned to the nozzle housing portion 18 (S303: YES), a flow rate pulse for measuring that there is no flow rate pulse input from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time. The inspection restart processing such as restarting the measurement of the output interval timer and stopping the output of the alarm is performed (S304), the pump motor 12 is driven (S305), and the monitoring of steps S104 to S106 is restarted.

On the other hand, the control device 23 stops the drive of the pump motor 12 (S109) based on the confirmation that the flow rate pulse is not input from the flow rate transmitter 14 in step S105 for a certain period of time (S105: YES), and the pump is pumped. If it is confirmed for the time being that a large leak portion has not occurred in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of 11, the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 may be, for example, due to cracks in the hose 16 or deterioration of the seal. Leakage-free confirmation processing is performed to confirm whether or not a minute pressure drop occurs in the fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 due to leaching from a minute leakage location.

In this leakage-free confirmation process, as shown in FIG. 5, the control device 23 first starts the drive of the pump motor 12 via the pump motor drive circuit 24 (S113), and outputs the flow rate output from the flow rate transmitter 14. The flow rate pulse output interval timer for measuring the pulse output interval is reset to zero, the time measurement is started, and the leakage inspection is started (S114).

When the leakage confirmation processing is started in steps S113 and S114 of FIG. 5, the control device 23 controls the flow rate pulse output from the flow rate transmitter 14 attached to the flow meter 13 corresponding to the flow for each unit flow rate. It is monitored whether or not it has been input (S115), whether or not the flow rate pulse has been input from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time (S116), and whether or not the refueling nozzle 17 has been removed from the nozzle housing portion 18 (S117). The constant time for determining whether or not the flow rate pulse is input in step S113 of FIG. 5 is the constant time for determining whether or not the flow rate pulse is input in step S105 of FIG. , It is possible to make the amount of time the same or different. For example, if the fixed time for determining the flow rate stop (instantaneous flow rate zero) in step S105 of FIG. 4 is set shorter and the fixed time for the flow rate stop determination in step S113 of FIG. 5 is set longer, In step S105 of 4, it is possible to make a quick flow rate stop determination, and in step S113 of FIG. 5, a precise flow rate stop determination can be made.

Then, when the control device 23 detects that the flow rate pulse is input from the flow rate transmitter 14 (S115: YES), the second leak determination flow rate counter which is reset to zero in the preparation for starting the execution of the leak test (S101). The count value of V2 is incremented (S118), and it is determined whether the second leakage determination flow rate, which is the count value, exceeds the second abnormality determination integrated value β (S119).

When it is determined in step S119 that the second leakage determination flow rate does not exceed the second abnormality determination integrated value β, the control device 23 returns to step S114 and resets the flow rate pulse output interval timer to zero again. After the start of clocking, the monitoring of steps S115 to S117 is repeated.
When the count value of the second leakage determination flow rate counter V2 exceeds the second abnormality determination integrated value β, the control device 23 immediately stops the drive of the pump motor 12 (S202) and causes the pump 11 to operate. An alarm indicating that an abnormality has occurred due to fuel leakage from the fuel supply passage on the downstream side is output (S203), and acceptance of fuel supply work using the fueling nozzle 17 is prohibited (S204). As a result, in the refueling device 1, for example, even if the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 for performing fuel supply work and the detection signal is input from the nozzle switch 19, the control device 23 does not operate downstream of the pump 11. Assuming that fuel has leaked to the side fuel supply path, the drive of the pump motor 12 is not started, and new refueling work cannot be accepted.

After that, the control device 23 terminates the leakage inspection process, and based on the fact that the leakage abnormality has occurred (FIG. 5, S119: YES), the control device 23 discontinues the use of the refueling device 1 as shown in FIG. Whether or not an instruction to turn off the apparatus power source has been set by a staff member of the gas station to prohibit it (S032), and whether or not execution of maintenance work has been set by the maintenance operator to repair the oil supply apparatus 1 (S033). ) To monitor. Then, the control device 23 performs a power-off process and ends when the device power-off instruction is set (S034), and shifts to the maintenance work mode when the maintenance work is set.

On the other hand, when the control device 23 detects that there is no input of the flow rate pulse from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time in the monitoring of steps S115 to S117 shown in FIG. 5 (S116: YES), it drives the pump motor 12. Stop (S120). In the present embodiment, when the flow rate pulse is not input from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time (S116: YES), the control device 23 presets the inspection interval timer that started the clocking in step S114 of FIG. It is determined whether or not the predetermined time has been measured. In this case, the predetermined time period corresponds to the time period in which it is possible to determine that the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel flowing from the pump 11 to the downstream fuel supply passage is zero. In the present embodiment, for the predetermined time used for determining that the instantaneous flow rate in step S116 is zero, the presence or absence of leakage in the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump 11 in step S105 described above is checked. It is set to be longer than the predetermined time used for determining that the hydraulic pressure has reached such a state, and it is possible to cope with a slight leak due to the exudation of fuel from the fuel supply passage.

Then, when the drive of the pump motor 12 is stopped in step S120, the control device 23 outputs a normal confirmation indicating that fuel leakage has not occurred from the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 (S121), and refueling is performed. The acceptance of the fuel supply work using the nozzle 17 is allowed (S122), and the leakage inspection process ends. As a result, in the refueling device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 to perform the fuel supply work, and the detection signal is input from the nozzle switch 19 ( (S009: YES), the control device 23 may start driving the pump motor 12 and perform a new refueling operation on the assumption that fuel is not leaking to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 and is normal. (S009-S013).

On the other hand, when the control device 23 detects that the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 in the monitoring of steps S115 to S117 shown in FIG. 5 (S117: YES), in this case, the leakage inspection is executed. Since it is in the middle and the pump motor 12 is in a driving state, the driving of the pump motor 12 is stopped for a predetermined time (S321), and the flow rate is measured when there is no input of the flow rate pulse from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain time. An inspection interruption process such as stopping the timing of the pulse output interval timer and outputting an alarm for instructing the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 to be housed in the nozzle housing section 18 is performed (S322). Whether it is returned to the storage unit 18 and stored is monitored based on the detection signal from the nozzle switch 19 (S323). When the control device 23 confirms that the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 has been returned to the nozzle housing portion 18 (S323: YES), a flow rate pulse for measuring that there is no flow rate pulse input from the flow rate transmitter 14 for a certain period of time. Output Interval Timer The timer is restarted to perform the inspection restart process such as stopping the output of the alarm (S324), the pump motor 12 is returned to the driving state (S325), and the monitoring of steps S104 to S106 is restarted.

As a result, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, at the time of starting the device (S002), after starting the device, at a predetermined time interval and periodically (S006), the desired timing based on the operation of the leak inspection execution switch is set. At (S007), the leak inspection process (S004) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is performed on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11.

Then, in the leakage inspection process (S004), as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the comparison between the count value of the first leakage determination flow rate counter V1 and the first abnormality determination integrated value α in steps S104 and S105. And the second leakage detection processing by comparing the count value of the second leakage determination flow rate counter V2 and the second abnormality determination integrated value β in steps S115 and S116. It is configured such that the pumps 11 are distinguished from each other in a liquid supply stop period of the pump 11 based on the timing of the timer. As a result, unnecessary fuel leakage and unnecessary drive power of the pump motor 12 that occur during inspection are suppressed regardless of the size and number of leakage points in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, and A quick fuel leak inspection can be performed.

In the second leakage determination of the present embodiment, after the hydraulic pressure state where the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, the pump 11 is driven again to determine the presence or absence of leakage. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and based on the measurement output of the pressure gauge provided in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 without driving the pump 11 again after the lapse of the predetermined interval time in step S111. In the state where the refueling work is not performed, the change in the hydraulic pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 (for example, whether the hydraulic pressure is decreasing at a pressure drop rate of a predetermined value or more, ) May be monitored to determine the presence or absence of leakage. Further, in the present embodiment, the drive of the pump motor 12 for making a hydraulic pressure state in which the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is changed to the drive of the pump motor 12 for leakage determination. Even if there is a clear leak and there is a minute leak location such as a crack in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, a slight pressure drop appears when the drive of the pump motor 12 for leak determination is started. In order to do so, the elapse of a predetermined interval time is measured as shown in step S111. However, regarding the drive of the pump motor 12, the two can be distinguished regardless of the difference in the flow path state of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, and the abnormality determination integrated values α and β can be set for the respective leak determinations. Only by looking at it, the drive of the pump 11 for judging the presence or absence of leakage can be performed without waiting for the elapse of a predetermined interval time so that the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the interval is set to zero (no interval) following the driving of the pump motor 12 to bring it into the state.

Next, as a modified example of the leakage inspection process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressure sensor 25 for measuring the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 (see FIG. An example of the leakage inspection process in the oil supply device 1 provided with (1) will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, at the time of starting the device (S002), after starting the device, a predetermined time interval is periodically provided (S006), and the leak inspection is performed. At a desired timing based on the operation of the execution switch (S007), it is detected that the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 has decreased by a predetermined value ΔP, and the results shown in FIGS. The control device 23 is configured to execute the leakage inspection process shown in FIG.

Therefore, in the oil supply device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in parentheses in FIG. 3, when the control device 23 finishes the oil supply operation for the supply target (S013), the control device 23 detects the pressure sensor 25 from the downstream side of the pump 11. When the pump 11 is driven next time, the current fuel pressure value Pc in the fuel supply path is read, and as the comparison reference pressure value Pb in the fuel supply path downstream of the pump 11 immediately after the refueling work is completed. Until (for example, when the pump 11 is driven in the next refueling work and the pump 11 is driven for the leakage inspection in the standby state), the memory is retained (S014).

Then, in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 23 performs the leakage inspection process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 in the standby state where the refueling work is not performed based on the comparison reference pressure value Pb. I am supposed to do it. The leakage inspection process shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 relates to another embodiment of the leakage inspection process shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart of the leakage inspection process performed by the fuel supply device of this embodiment.
FIG. 7 is the remaining part of the flow chart of the leakage inspection process performed in the fuel supply system of this embodiment.

The leakage inspection process of the present embodiment is performed at a leakage inspection timing which the control device 23 regularly executes in advance during a standby state in which refueling work is not performed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the leakage inspection process, when starting the process, the control device 23 first prepares to start the execution of the leakage inspection (S501). In the present embodiment, in preparation for starting the execution of the leakage inspection, the control device 23 resets the leakage determination flow rate counter V1 to zero and configures the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 in advance (for example, supply passage length, supply passage). The first abnormality determination integrated value α, the first abnormality determination pressure decrease value (first predetermined pressure value) ΔPα, and the second abnormality determination pressure decrease that are set according to the road configuration member, the installation environment, etc.). The value ΔPβ (second predetermined pressure value) is read.

Then, the comparison reference pressure value Pb, which is the pressure value of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 immediately after the end of the previous refueling work, is read, and the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 from the pressure sensor 25 is read. The present fuel pressure value Pc is read (S502), and it depends on the pressure difference between the two, that is, the current fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, and immediately after the last refueling work is completed. The pressure change ΔP=Pb−Pc is calculated (S503).

Then, the control device 23 determines whether or not the pressure change ΔP is smaller than the first abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPα (S504), and the pressure change ΔP is smaller than the first abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPα. When it is small (S504: YES), the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is almost the same as immediately after the last refueling work is completed, and there is no leakage point in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. Since it has not occurred, the leakage inspection process at the leakage inspection timing of this time is ended. On the other hand, when the pressure change ΔP is larger than the first abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPα (S504: NO), the control device 23 continues the leakage inspection process from step S505.

In this case, the magnitude of the first abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPα is set in advance in a normal state where there is no leakage point in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 and based on a change in the external environment. It is set to a value smaller than the maximum change value when the fuel liquid pressure inside the fuel supply passage expands and the internal fuel liquid pressure changes.

Then, when the pressure change ΔP is larger than the first abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPα (S504: NO), the control device 23 first continues in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 when continuing the leakage inspection process. The pump drive timer in which the drive time of the pump motor 12 required for increasing the fuel pressure by this pressure change ΔP is set is reset and started (S505), and the pump motor 12 is started to be driven (S506).

When the continuation of the leakage inspection is actually started in steps S505 and S506 of FIG. 6, the control device 23 outputs from the flow rate transmitter 14 attached to the flow meter 13 corresponding to the flow for each unit liquid amount. It is monitored whether or not a flow rate pulse is input (S507), whether or not the pump drive timer counts a predetermined time (S508), and whether or not the refueling nozzle 17 is removed from the nozzle housing 18 (S509). There is.

Here, when the control device 23 detects that the flow rate pulse is input from the flow rate transmitter 14 (S507: YES), the leak determination flow rate counter V1 that has been reset to zero in the leak inspection execution start preparation (S501). The count value is incremented (S510), and it is determined whether the first leakage determination flow rate V1 indicated by the count value exceeds the first abnormality determination integrated value α (S511).

Then, if the first leakage determination flow rate V1 does not exceed the first abnormality determination integrated value α in the determination of step S511, the control device 23 repeats the monitoring of steps S507 to S509. However, when the first leakage determination flow rate, which is the count value of the leakage determination flow rate counter V1, exceeds the first abnormality determination integrated value α, the control device 23 immediately stops the drive of the pump motor 12 ( S601), as shown in FIG. 7, an alarm indicating that an abnormality has occurred due to fuel leakage from the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is output (S603), and the fuel supply operation using the refueling nozzle 17 is performed. Reception is prohibited (S604). As a result, in the refueling device 1, even if the refueling nozzle 17 is subsequently taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 for performing the fuel supply work and the detection signal is input from the nozzle switch 19, the control device 23 causes the pump 11 to operate. Assuming that fuel has leaked to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side, the drive of the pump motor 12 is not started, and no new refueling work is accepted.

In this case, the control device 23 subsequently prohibits the use of the refueling device 1 as shown in FIG. 3 based on the fact that the leakage abnormality has occurred (FIG. 6, S511: YES). It is to be monitored whether or not the disconnection of the power source of the device is instructed (S032), and whether or not the maintenance worker is instructed to repair the refueling device 1 (S033).

On the other hand, when the control device 23 detects that the pump drive timer has counted a predetermined time in the monitoring of steps S507 to S509 shown in FIG. 6 (S508: YES), it stops the drive of the pump motor 12 (S513). .. In this embodiment, when the pump driving timer finishes timing, the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel actually supplied from the pump 11 to the downstream fuel supply passage is zero, that is, in the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump 11. Corresponds to the fact that the current fuel pressure value Pc read in step S502 has increased by an amount of ΔP or a value near ΔP so as to cancel the pressure change ΔP.

Then, when the control device 23 stops the drive of the pump motor 12 in step S513, the control device 23 shows the downstream side of the pump 11 in the static pressure state in which fuel is not delivered from the pump 11 as shown in step S514 and subsequent steps in FIG. Leak inspection processing of the fuel supply path of.

Further, the control device 23 monitors the steps S507 to S509 shown in FIG. 6, and the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 before detecting that the pump drive timer has counted the predetermined time in the step S508. If it is detected (S509: YES), the leakage inspection is in the middle of execution in this case, and the pump motor 12 is also in a driving state, so the driving of the pump motor 12 for a predetermined time is temporarily stopped (S701), An inspection interruption process is performed such as stopping the timing of the pump drive timer and outputting an alarm for instructing the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 to be housed in the nozzle housing section 18 (S702). After that, the control device 23 monitors whether or not the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 is returned to and housed in the nozzle housing portion 18 based on a detection signal from the nozzle switch 19 (S703). When the control device 23 confirms that the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 has been returned to the nozzle housing portion 18 (S703: YES), the control device 23 restarts/continues the clocking of the pump drive timer and stops the alarm output. The restart process is performed (S324), the pump motor 12 is returned to the driving state (S705), and the monitoring of steps S507 to S509 is restarted.

On the other hand, in the leakage inspection process of the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 in the static pressure state in which the fuel is not delivered from the pump 11 shown in and after step S514 in FIG. When the drive of the pump motor 12 is once stopped at, the pressure of the fuel in the current fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, that is, the fuel supply on the downstream side of the pump 11 immediately after the drive of the pump motor 12 is stopped once. The fuel pressure in the road is read from the pressure sensor 25, and the comparison reference pressure value Pb is updated (S514). Then, the control device 23 resets the pressure monitoring timer that defines the monitoring time for monitoring whether or not there is a leak point in the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 in this state, and starts the time measurement. (S515).

Here, the monitoring time measured by the pressure monitoring timer is such that the fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is at or near the relief pressure of the pump 11 when the pump motor 12 is driven during steps S506 to S513. In the static pressure fuel having the value, for example, when there is a fine leakage point such as a crack in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is It is a time (for example, 2 to 3 minutes) in which a minute pressure drop occurs due to leaching or the like at the minute leak portion.

Then, the control device 23 determines whether or not the pressure monitoring timer has reached a predetermined pressure monitoring timing within a specified monitoring time (for example, 2 to 3 minutes) (S516). It is monitored whether or not the monitoring time has been measured (S517), and whether the refueling nozzle 17 has been taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 based on the detection signal from the nozzle switch 19 (S518).

In the monitoring of steps S516 to S518, the control device 23 detects that the time measured by the pressure monitoring timer has reached a predetermined pressure monitoring timing within a specified monitoring time (for example, 2 to 3 minutes) (S516: YES), the comparison reference pressure value Pb, which is the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 immediately after the driving of the pump motor 12 is stopped in step S513, is read out, and the pressure sensor 25 is used to downstream the pump 11. The current fuel pressure value Pc in the fuel supply passage on the side is read (S519), and the pressure difference between the two, that is, the current fuel pressure in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, is determined. A pressure change ΔP=Pb−Pc immediately after the driving of the motor 12 is stopped is calculated (S520).

Then, the control device 23 determines whether or not the pressure change ΔP is smaller than the second abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPβ (S521), and when the pressure change ΔP is smaller than the second abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPβ. (S521: YES), assuming that the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is almost the same as immediately after the driving of the pump motor 12 is stopped in step S513, the monitoring of steps S516 to S518 is repeated. .. On the other hand, when the pressure change ΔP is larger than the second abnormality determination pressure decrease value ΔPβ (S521: NO), the control device 23 causes an abnormality due to fuel leakage from the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11. An alarm indicating that is output (FIG. 7, S603), and the acceptance of the fuel supply work using the refueling nozzle 17 is prohibited (S604). As a result, in the refueling device 1, even if the refueling nozzle 17 is subsequently taken out of the nozzle housing portion 18 for performing the fuel supply work and the detection signal is input from the nozzle switch 19, the control device 23 causes the pump 11 to operate. Assuming that fuel has leaked to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side, the drive of the pump motor 12 is not started, and no new refueling work is accepted.

Further, the control device 23 detects in step S516 to S518 shown in FIG. 7 that the pressure monitoring timer has clocked a prescribed monitoring time (for example, 2 to 3 minutes) in step S517 (S517). : YES), the pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is the same as immediately after the drive of the pump motor 12 is once stopped in step S513 during the specified monitoring time, Confirm that there is no minute leak point in the fuel supply passage on the side where fuel leaks out. Then, the control device 23 outputs a normal confirmation indicating that fuel leakage has not occurred from the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 (S522), and allows acceptance of the fuel supply operation using the refueling nozzle 17. Then (S523), the leak inspection process is terminated. As a result, in the refueling device 1, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 for performing fuel supply work, and the detection signal is input from the nozzle switch 19 (S009). : YES), the control device 23 starts the drive of the pump motor 12 and the like so that a new refueling operation can be performed on the assumption that the fuel has not leaked to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 and is normal. (S009-S013).

In addition, the control device 23 monitors the steps S516 to S518 shown in FIG. 7, and the refueling nozzle 17 is taken out from the nozzle housing portion 18 before detecting that the pump drive timer has counted the predetermined time in the step S518. When it is detected (S518: YES), in the case of the embodiment, it is in the middle of execution of confirmation of no leakage, and an inspection such as outputting an alarm for instructing the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 to be housed in the nozzle housing portion 18 An interruption process is performed (S712), and it is monitored whether or not the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 is returned to and housed in the nozzle housing section 18 based on a detection signal from the nozzle switch 19 (S713). When the control device 23 confirms that the taken-out refueling nozzle 17 has been returned to the nozzle housing portion 18 (S713: YES), it performs inspection resumption processing such as stopping the output of the alarm (S314), and steps S516 to S516. The monitoring process shown in S518 is continuously restarted.

As a result, even in the refueling device 1 of the present embodiment, when the device is started (S002), after the device is started (S002), a predetermined time interval is periodically provided (S006), and the leakage inspection is executed. At a desired timing based on the operation of the switch (S007), the leakage inspection process (S004) as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is performed on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11.

Then, in the leak inspection process (S004), as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first leak detection process in steps S507-S511 and the second leak detection process in steps S516-S521 are performed. It is configured to. As a result, regardless of the size or number of leak points in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, unnecessary fuel leakage or unnecessary drive power of the pump motor 12 that occurs during inspection is suppressed. Can be done.

The fuel supply system according to the present disclosure is applicable not only to the ground-mounted fuel supply device shown in FIG. 1 but also to a fuel supply device for various fuels such as a suspended fuel supply device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pump 11 is driven when the refueling operation by the operation of the refueling nozzle 17 is not performed, and then the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel supplied to the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is zero. Driving of the pump 11 is stopped, or when the hydraulic pressure state in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is lowered from the comparison reference pressure value Pb by a predetermined pressure value ΔPα. By driving the pump 11 for a predetermined time set in advance, when the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is filled with the fuel in the hydraulic pressure state in which the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed, 11 is configured to be temporarily stopped. However, for that purpose, a pump motor for making the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump into a hydraulic state in which the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed regardless of the difference in the flow passage state of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. The configuration for confirming and distinguishing the drive of No. 1 in the fuel leakage inspection is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the fuel on the downstream side of the pump 11 after the driving of the pump 11 is completed after the hydraulic pressure state of the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump 11 becomes in a state where the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed. Whether or not there is a specific leak in the supply passage is determined according to the instantaneous flow rate of the fuel supplied to the refueling nozzle 17 when the pump 11 is driven again, or the pump 11 is not driven again. The configuration is such that the determination is made according to the pressure change in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of No. 11. However, after the driving of the pump 11 is completed after the liquid pressure state of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 can be confirmed whether or not there is a leak, the specific leakage of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 The configuration for determining the presence/absence of is not limited to the specific configuration of the above-described embodiment. That is, regarding the presence/absence of leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11, which is performed after the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump 11 is filled with the fuel in the hydraulic state in which the presence/absence of leakage can be confirmed. The combination of determination configurations is not the above-described embodiment, and various combinations are possible.

As described above, according to the fuel supply system of the present disclosure, in performing the fuel leakage inspection on the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, the liquid pressure state in which the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. The drive time of the pump motor for the fuel leak inspection was differentiated so that the drive time of the pump motor for the fuel leak inspection should be as short as possible to avoid unnecessary fuel leakage and unnecessary drive power consumption of the pump motor during the inspection. Suppress, and leak judgment can be performed accurately and quickly.

1 lubricator, 2 lubricator main body, 11 pump, 12 pump motor,
13 flow meter, 14 flow transmitter, 15 internal piping,
16 refueling hose, 17 refueling nozzle, 18 nozzle housing,
19 nozzle switch, 20 indicator, 21 underground piping,
22 underground tank, 23 control device, 24 pump motor drive circuit,
25 pressure sensor, 110 pump unit.

Claims (6)

A fuel supply path having one end communicating with the fuel storage tank and a fuel supply nozzle provided on the other end;
A pump that is provided in the fuel supply path and that delivers fuel from the fuel storage tank to the fuel supply nozzle;
A flow meter for measuring the amount of fuel liquid delivered from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle;
A fuel supply system comprising:
Leakage determining means for determining the presence or absence of fuel leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump when the fuel supply operation by the operation of the fuel supply nozzle is not performed,
When the pump is driven when the fuel supply operation by the operation of the fuel supply nozzle is not performed and the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is in a hydraulic state where it is possible to confirm the presence or absence of fuel leakage, Determination preparation means for stopping the drive of the pump,
Is equipped with
After the determination preparation means makes the inside of the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump into a hydraulic pressure state capable of confirming the presence or absence of leakage of fuel, the leakage determination means makes the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. A fuel supply system characterized by determining the presence or absence of leakage. A fuel supply path having one end communicating with the fuel storage tank and a fuel supply nozzle provided on the other end;
A pump that is provided in the fuel supply path and that delivers fuel from the fuel storage tank to the fuel supply nozzle;
A flow meter for measuring the amount of fuel liquid delivered from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle;
A fuel supply system comprising:
First determining means for determining that the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is filled with fuel in a hydraulic state capable of confirming the presence or absence of leakage;
Second determining means for determining the presence or absence of fuel leakage in the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump;
A fluid pressure state in which the pump is driven when the fuel supply operation by the operation of the fuel supply nozzle is not being performed, and the first determination means can confirm whether or not there is a leak in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump. When it is determined that the fuel is full, or when the second determination means determines that there is a fuel leak in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump, the pump that stops driving the pump is stopped. Inspection drive means,
When the inspection drive consisting of driving and stopping the pump by the pump inspection drive means is finished by the judgment of the first judging means, the inspection drive consisting of driving and stopping the pump is restarted by the pump inspection drive means. When the inspection drive including the drive and the stop of the pump that has been executed again is ended by the determination of the second determination unit, the inspection that outputs the presence of leakage in the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump is output. Execution control means,
A fuel supply system having. The fuel supply system according to claim 2, wherein
The first determining means indicates that the pump inspection drive means starts the inspection drive of the pump after the pump inspection drive means starts filling the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump with the fuel in the hydraulic state in which the presence or absence of leakage can be confirmed. A fuel supply system configured to make a determination based on whether or not the instantaneous flow rate of fuel supplied from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle has become zero based on the measurement output of the flow meter. The fuel supply system according to claim 3, wherein
The second determination means checks the presence/absence of fuel leakage in the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump based on the measurement output of the flow meter after the pump inspection drive means starts the inspection drive of the pump. It is configured to determine whether the liquid amount of the fuel supplied from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle at the time of driving has reached a predetermined liquid amount,
The predetermined liquid amount is the value when the pump inspection drive means is re-executed when the pump inspection drive means is finished, and when the pump inspection drive means is driven by the pump inspection drive means ended by the determination of the first determination means. A fuel supply system having a predetermined configuration that is smaller than the value in. A fuel supply path having one end communicating with the fuel storage tank and a fuel supply nozzle provided on the other end;
A pump that is provided in the fuel supply path and that delivers fuel from the fuel storage tank to the fuel supply nozzle;
A flow meter for measuring the amount of fuel liquid delivered from the pump to the fuel supply nozzle;
A fuel supply system comprising:
Providing a pressure gauge for measuring the liquid pressure of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump,
First determining means for determining whether or not the hydraulic pressure state of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is lower than a first predetermined pressure value based on the measurement output of the pressure gauge. When,
Second determination means for determining whether or not the hydraulic pressure state of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is lower than a second predetermined pressure value based on the measurement output of the pressure gauge. When,
When the fuel supply operation by the operation of the fuel supply nozzle is not performed, the hydraulic pressure state of the fuel in the fuel supply passage downstream of the pump exceeds the first predetermined pressure value by the first determination means. When it is determined that the pump is lowered, the pump inspection drive means for driving and stopping the pump for a predetermined time set in advance,
After the inspection drive of the pump by the pump inspection drive means is completed, the hydraulic pressure state of the fuel in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is determined by the second determination means within a predetermined time range. When it is determined that the pressure has dropped below the second predetermined pressure value, the presence of leakage in the fuel supply passage on the downstream side of the pump is output, while the pressure does not fall below the second predetermined pressure value. When it is determined, inspection execution control means for outputting no leakage of the fuel supply path on the downstream side of the pump,
A fuel supply system having. The fuel supply system according to claim 5, wherein
The first predetermined pressure value used for the determination by the first determination unit and the second predetermined pressure value used for the determination by the second determination unit are different in magnitude,
A fuel supply system in which the second predetermined pressure value is set smaller than the first predetermined pressure value.

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