JP2022057085A - Fuel supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fuel supply device capable of detecting water contaminated in the supplied fuel (a water content rate) with high accuracy.SOLUTION: When an instant water content rate by some supplied fuel passing a detection area of a sensor instantly is out of allowable range, even when the water content rate of a whole supplied fuel is within allowable range and no abnormality is present and a physical property value corresponding to the water content rate equal to or greater than the value of the actual supplied fuel is detected by the sensor even instantly, an oil supplier 10 does not decide that the water content rate of the supplied fuel is out of allowable range and an abnormality is present immediately based on only this event, by computing a water content rate average value Rw of the supplied fuel in a prescribed time series section to detect abnormality.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to a supply target such as a vehicle.

For example, in a fuel supply station such as a gas station, fuel is stored in a storage tank, and fuel supply to a supply target is performed by a fuel supply device installed so as to communicate with the storage tank. The fuel supply device measures and displays the fuel supply amount (liquid supply amount) supplied to the supply target.

The storage tank usually has a structure in which the gas phase part in the tank can communicate with the atmosphere so that the pressure of the gas phase part in the tank whose capacity changes as the stored fuel increases or decreases can be adjusted. .. Further, a storage tank and a pipe for communicating and connecting the storage tank and the fuel supply device are usually installed in the basement of the fuel supply station or the like.

In such a fuel supply station, water vapor may be mixed into the stored fuel due to dew condensation of water vapor contained in the air (atmosphere) of the gas phase part in the storage tank, or the storage tank or the storage tank and the fuel supply device may be mixed. Corrosion or cracks in the pipes that communicate with each other may cause water vapor in the ground outside the tank to infiltrate into the tank or pipes. If fuel containing water in excess of the permissible range is supplied to the vehicle to be supplied, there is a possibility that problems such as engine damage and engine stop may occur due to poor combustion.

Therefore, it has a function to detect the water mixed in the fuel supplied to the supply target such as a vehicle, and the water content of the supplied fuel exceeds the predetermined water content, that is, the water mixed in the supplied fuel. A fuel supply device has been developed that is configured to stop the fuel supply to the supply target when it detects that the fuel supply exceeds the permissible range. Further, as a method for detecting the mixing of water into the fuel, which can be applied to such a fuel supply device, physical property values such as capacitance, conductivity, and turbidity of the supplied fuel are measured, and the measured values are measured. Those that perform detection based on are known.

JP-A-2017-154746

By the way, in a fuel supply device equipped with a method for detecting the mixing of water into fuel, a sensor as a water detection unit that measures physical properties such as capacitance, conductivity, and turbidity of the supplied fuel is supplied. It is installed in the fuel supply path through which fuel for supplying fuel flows. Then, the sensor as a water detection unit has a capacitance of the fuel located in the fuel supply path portion where the sensor is installed, that is, the fuel located in the detection area of the sensor in the fuel supply path. Measure physical properties such as conductivity and turbidity.

Therefore, for example, if the fuel supply to the supply target continues to be stopped for a while, the fuel flow (fuel movement) in the fuel supply path continues during this period, so that the fuel in the supply fuel remains. When the separation between the minute and the water progresses and the separated water comes to be stationary in the detection range of the sensor in the fuel supply path, the physical property value corresponding to the water content higher than the value of the actual supply fuel becomes. , The sensor will detect it, albeit temporarily.

In addition, even if the water content of the entire supplied fuel is within the permissible range and there is no abnormality during the actual supply of fuel to the supply target, it depends on a part of the supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the sensor. If the instantaneous moisture content is out of the permissible range and the sensor momentarily detects a physical property value corresponding to a moisture content higher than the value of the actual supplied fuel, although it is temporary, at the time of detection, The actual fuel supply to the supply target will be stopped.

In addition, when the value of the water content, which is a reference for determining an abnormality, is set high in consideration of these events, the detection of the abnormality is delayed by the amount set high.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel supply device capable of detecting water (moisture content) mixed in a fuel supply with high accuracy.

The fuel supply device according to this disclosure is
The fuel supply path where the fuel to be supplied to the supply target is sent, and
A water detection unit provided in the fuel supply path and detecting water mixed in the fuel located in the detection area in the fuel supply path, and a water detection unit.
A water mixing measurement unit that measures the water content or water content in the fuel located in the detection area of the water detection unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit.
A water content storage unit that stores the water content or water content in the fuel sequentially measured by the water mixing measurement unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit during fuel supply work or fuel supply to the supply target. When,
A water mixing calculation unit that calculates the integrated water content or average water content of a predetermined time-series section based on the water content or water content in a plurality of fuels stored in the water content storage unit.
The presence or absence of an abnormality in the fuel supplied to the supply target is determined by comparing the integrated water content or the average water content of the predetermined time-series section, which is sequentially calculated by the water mixing calculation unit, with the predetermined abnormality determination value. Abnormality judgment unit to judge and
It is equipped with.

According to the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure, even if the water content of the entire supplied fuel is within the permissible range and there is no abnormality during the actual supply of fuel to the supply target, the detection range of the sensor is instantaneously set. The instantaneous moisture content of some of the fuel supplied to the fuel is out of the permissible range, and the physical property value corresponding to the moisture content equal to or higher than the value of the actual supplied fuel is instantaneously detected by the sensor. In this case, based only on this event, it is not immediately determined that the water content of the supplied fuel is out of the permissible range and there is an abnormality, so that more accurate abnormality detection can be performed.

Further, since the determination value for detecting the abnormality is not changed, it is possible to reduce the inconvenience that the abnormality cannot be detected even though it is originally an abnormality.

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

It is an overall block diagram of the refueling machine as an example of the fuel supply device which concerns on this disclosure. It is sectional drawing of the supply line part provided with the water detector. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calibration curve stored in advance in the storage part of a water detection control device. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the calibration curve stored in advance in the storage part of a water detection control device. It is a flowchart of one embodiment of the refueling machine refueling control executed by the refueling machine control device at the time of refueling work. It is a flowchart of one Example of the average water content Rwav measurement processing executed by a water detection control device at the time of refueling work. It is a flowchart of one embodiment of the measurement of the time-series section executed by either the refueling machine control device or the water detection control device at the time of refueling work. Even if the water content of the entire supplied fuel is within the permissible range and there is no abnormality, the instantaneous water content Rw of some of the supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the water detector is out of the permissible range. It is a schematic diagram of the example of. It is an example of the trend of the water content obtained by calculation based on the average value Rwav of the water content. This is another example of the trend of the water content obtained by calculating based on the average value Rwav of the water content. This is yet another example of the trend of the water content obtained by calculating based on the average water content Rwav. It is a schematic diagram showing the total amount of water addition ΣW.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure is a refueling machine installed as a fuel supply device at a refueling station that supplies fuel oil liquid such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, light oil, etc. to a supply target of a vehicle or the like, a so-called gas station. Let's take an example. The fuel supply station to which the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure is applied is not limited to a gas station. Further, the refueling machine is not limited to the refueling machine that supplies a liquid type (oil type) such as regular gasoline, high octane gasoline, and light oil.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a refueling machine as an embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure.

In the illustrated example, the refueling machine 10 performs operation control of each part of the refueling machine, calculation and display control of a pump 12 as a liquid feeding device, a flow meter 14 as a flow rate measuring device, and a refueling machine housing 11 in the refueling machine housing 11. It houses a refueling machine control device 30, a water detector 40 that detects water mixed in the supplied fuel, a water detection control device 50 that calculates the water content in the fuel based on the detection output of the water detector 40, and the like. are doing. In addition, the pump 12 is provided with a pump drive motor 13 for driving the pump 12, and the flow meter 14 is provided with a flow rate pulse corresponding to the flow of each unit flow rate (for example, 0.01 L) of the supplied fuel. A flow rate transmitter 15 to generate is attached.

A hose 17 having a refueling nozzle 18 at the tip extends from the refueling machine housing 11, and the base end side of the hose 17 is the outlet side of the flow meter 14 in the refueling machine housing 11 and the supply pipeline 16. It is connected via communication. The refueling nozzle 18 opens and closes in response to the operation of the operation lever, and when the liquid level of the fuel oil liquid in the supply target of the vehicle or the like reaches the discharge pipe at the tip of the nozzle, the valve closes regardless of the operation position of the operation lever. It is equipped with an automatic valve closing mechanism. The refueling nozzle 18 can be taken out and stored in the nozzle hook 19 provided in the refueling machine housing 11, and is stored in the nozzle hook 19 while the refueling work is not performed. The nozzle hook 19 is provided with a nozzle switch 21 for detecting the removal / storage of the refueling nozzle 18 with respect to the nozzle hook 19.

The refueling machine 10 pumps the fuel oil liquid from the underground tank (reservoir tank) 90 installed in the basement of the gas station via the pumping pipe 91 by driving the pump 12. The pumping pipe 91 extends underground, one end side is introduced into the underground tank 90 and opens, and the other end side is communicated with the suction port of the pump 12. The fuel oil liquid pumped from the underground tank 90 by the pump 12 is sent to the refueling nozzle 18 via the flow meter 14, the supply pipe line 16, and the hose 17 in which the inflow port is continuously connected to the discharge port of the pump 12. Be liquid. In this case, the flow path portion of the fuel oil liquid and the pumping pipe 91 in the refueling machine housing 11 including the supply pipe line 16 and the like correspond to the fuel supply path of the refueling machine 10.

Further, in the refueling machine 10 of the present embodiment, as a mechanism for measuring the water content Rw in the fuel, physical property values such as capacitance, conductivity, and turbidity of the supplied fuel are measured and mixed in the supplied fuel. A water detector 40 for detecting the water being used is provided in the fuel supply path of the refueling machine 10. In the illustrated example, as the water detector 40, a water detector that measures the turbidity of the supply fuel and detects the mixed water in the supply fuel is provided in the supply line 16 in the refueling machine housing 11. Has been done.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a supply pipeline portion provided with a water detector.

In this embodiment, the water detector 40 has a terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 that transmits a terahertz wave toward the supplied fuel in the supply line 16 and a terahertz wave detecting unit that detects the terahertz wave that has passed through the supplied fuel. It is configured to include 42. The terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 is configured to include, for example, a terahertz wave resonance tunnel diode or the like, and is configured to be able to emit a terahertz wave having a predetermined frequency from the transmitting end surface toward the terahertz wave detecting unit 42. On the other hand, the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is a detection element that receives the terahertz wave transmitted from the terahertz wave transmission unit 41 at its reception end face and detects the received signal. Like the terahertz wave transmission unit 41, the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is a terahertz wave. It is configured with a resonant tunneling diode.

The water detector 40 faces the transmitting end face of the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 that emits the terahertz wave and the receiving end surface of the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 that incidents the terahertz wave with the detection area in which the supplied fuel can flow. In this way, both are arranged in the supply pipeline 16. Further, in the water detector 40, the transmitting end face and the receiving end face facing each other are covered with the isolation members 43 and 43, respectively, and the transmitting end face and the terahertz wave detection of the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 facing the detection area where the supplied fuel can flow. The receiving end surface of the unit 42 is configured so as not to come into contact with the supply fuel in the supply line 16 flowing through the detection area between both end faces. The supply pipeline 16 portion where the water detector 40 is specifically installed is preferably the discharge side of the pump. The reason is that when water is mixed in the fuel in the fuel supply path, the pump agitates the fuel and the water in the fuel, so that the water in the fuel in the fuel supply path is mixed. This is because it can be expected that the water content detected by the water detector 40 can be stabilized as a result. Therefore, it is preferable that the supply pipeline 16 portion to be installed is closer to the discharge side of the pump.

In this case, the isolation member 43 is made of a material that transmits terahertz waves and does not cause deterioration such as deformation, swelling, and dissolution by contact with fuel and water. In addition, in view of the usage environment of the refueling machine 10, it is desirable that the material has a heat resistance of −20 ° C. to 40 ° C. As the material of the isolation member 43, for example, a fluororesin material can be used.

Further, the isolation member 43 may be configured by using a terahertz wave transmissive material such as glass or quartz as a substrate instead of the fluororesin material and applying a fluororesin to the surface thereof. As the terahertz wave transmissive material, the terahertz wave is sufficiently sufficient to measure the target water content Rw (for example, discrimination of Rw <2%, 2% ≤ Rw <5%, and Rw ≥ 5%). A material that can be permeated can be used.

As an example, as the material of the isolation member 43, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter referred to as ETFE) or a copolymer of ethylene tetrafluoride-perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA) can be used. However, the material of the isolation member 43 is not limited to these exemplified materials, and has predetermined terahertz wave permeability, oil resistance, water resistance, and heat resistance, and has a water content Rw <2%, 2% ≦. Any material capable of discriminating between Rw <5% and Rw ≧ 5% is still preferable. Further, among the fluororesin materials, the fluororesin material composed of non-polar molecules is desirable as the material of the isolation member 43 because the terahertz wave is absorbed by the polar molecules.

The fluororesin used for the isolation member 43 has oil repellency and water repellency. Surface free energy is an index of the ease of contamination due to adhesion to isolated parts such as fuel and water. Regarding the surface free energy, it means that when the surface free energy is low, fuel and water are hard to adhere, and when the surface free energy is high, fuel and water are easy to adhere. That is, when the surface free energy is low, it has oil repellency and water repellency, so that it is difficult to get dirty, and when the surface free energy is high, it has no oil repellency and water repellency, and it is easy to get dirty. Therefore, by using a fluororesin having a low surface free energy as the material of the isolation member 43, it is possible to suppress the contamination of the surface of the isolation member 43, thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the water content Rw.

Further, since the surface of the isolation member 43 is less likely to be soiled, it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance of the refueling machine 10 and replacement of the isolation member 43 and measurement parts. The shape of the isolation member 43 may be a tube, a plate, or a cylinder as long as the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 are not in direct contact with the supplied fuel.

Further, in general, when refueling a fuel mixed with water at a large flow rate and high discharge, the fuel oil and the water are mixed, and water bubbles and bubbles are generated. The particle size of the blisters and bubbles is in the range of about 200 to 300 μm in the evaluation of the bubbles and blisters under still water.

Therefore, in the illustrated water detector 40, a terahertz wave having a wavelength of 3 mm to 300 μm (frequency is 0.1 THz to 1.0 THz) is emitted from the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and incident on the terahertz wave detecting unit 42. The wavelength of the terahertz wave (3 mm to 300 μm) is often equal to or sufficiently longer than the particle size of water bubbles or bubbles (about 200 to 300 μm). Therefore, the terahertz wave has an advantage that it is hardly affected by scattering by water bubbles or bubbles.

The distance L in the detection range between the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42, through which the terahertz wave passes and the supplied fuel flows, is such that the terahertz wave is transmitted in view of the amount of the terahertz wave absorbed by water. It is set to a possible distance.

As for the distance L in the detection area between the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42, the attenuation of the terahertz wave passing through the detection area increases as the distance increases, and the reception amount of the terahertz wave is lost. Increases, and the measurement accuracy of the water content Rw decreases. From this point of view, it is preferable that the distance L in the detection range is short.

Therefore, the distance L in the detection range is set to a length that does not lower the measurement accuracy of the water content Rw and can determine the amount of change in the water content Rw. The distance L in the detection range can be calculated based on the frequency of the terahertz wave and the absorption coefficient of water. For example, when the wavelength of the terahertz wave is 0.3 THz, the absorption coefficient of water is 100 cm ^-1 (Non-Patent Document, SGWamen et al, Appl.opt. Vol.23, p.1206 (1984)).

For example, in the configuration of the water detector 40 shown in the figure, in order to detect the water content Rw> 5%, it is preferable that the distance L in the detection range is short (for example, 6 mm or less) because the absorption of terahertz waves by water is large. .. If the distance L in the detection region is made longer than that, the absorption of the terahertz wave by water is large, the terahertz wave is completely attenuated, and the terahertz wave may not be detected on the terahertz wave detection unit 42 side. When the distance L in the detection range is short, the loss of the terahertz wave due to propagation is small and the reception intensity can be increased, so that the detection sensitivity of the water content Rw can be increased.

For example, in the case of the water detector 40 shown in the figure, the distance L in the detection area through which the supplied fuel flows is 4 mm, and the distance between the transmitting end surface of the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the receiving end surface of the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 (terahertz wave). The optical path length) was set to 10 mm, and a collimating lens was not used. Further, an ETFE tube was used for the isolation member 43, and the oscillation frequency of the terahertz wave from the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 was set to 0.3 THz.

Although not shown, a collimating lens may be arranged between the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42. By arranging the collimating lens, the reception intensity of the terahertz wave in the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is increased, and the terahertz wave can be transmitted farther with high intensity. If the reception intensity of the terahertz wave in the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is sufficiently high and the water content Rw can be quantified, the collimating lens may not be used.

The terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 of the water detector 40 configured in this way are each connected to the water detection control device 50, and the water detection control device is based on the control signal from the refueling machine control device 30. The operation can be controlled by 50. At that time, the received signal (water detection signal based on the reception intensity of the terahertz wave) by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is output to the water detection control device 50, and the water detection control device 50 transmits the terahertz wave based on this received signal. The water content Rw of the fuel passing through the detection area inside the supply pipeline 16 between the unit 41 and the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is calculated.

In the illustrated example, the received signal by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is converted into a voltage signal having a magnitude corresponding to, for example, the reception intensity of the terahertz wave, and is taken into the water detection control device 50. The water detection control device 50 is composed of, for example, a computer device including a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like, and a calibration curve showing the relationship between the known water content Rw and the voltage value is stored in advance in the storage unit. .. The water detection control device 50 uses a voltage signal of a magnitude corresponding to the reception intensity of the terahertz wave, which is captured as a water detection signal from the water detector 40, to, for example, the supply liquid type to the supply target and the discharge amount of the supply fuel. Based on the corresponding calibration curve, the water content Rw in the supplied fuel for the supply target is calculated.

3 and 4 are schematic views for explaining a calibration curve stored in advance in the storage unit of the water detection control device. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the calibration curve of the refueling machine 10 when the supply liquid type is light oil and the discharge flow rate is 75 L / min, and FIG. 4 is a diagram in which the supply liquid type is regular gasoline and the discharge flow rate is 40 L / min. It is a schematic diagram of the calibration curve of the refueling machine 10 in a certain case.

Both FIGS. 3 and 4 show the results of plotting the reception intensity of the terahertz wave in the terahertz wave detection unit 42 when the water content Rw is variously changed. In the figure, the variation (standard deviation) of the received intensity value of the terahertz wave with respect to the same water content value is indicated by an error bar. In any of the refueling machines 10, the larger the water content Rw, the lower the reception intensity of the terahertz wave in the terahertz wave detection unit 42. The calibration curve C is created based on the result of plotting the reception intensity of the terahertz wave in the terahertz wave detection unit 42 when the water content Rw is variously changed in this way. In each of the refueling machines 10, the distance L in the detection range is 4 mm, the distance between the transmitting end surface of the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the receiving end surface of the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 (terahertz wave optical path length) is 10 mm, and the collimating lens is used. Not used configuration, ETFE tube is used for the isolation member 43, and the oscillation frequency of the terahertz wave from the terahertz wave transmitter 41 is the same at 0.3 THz, so the difference in the supply liquid type and the size of the discharge flow rate are different. It is understood that it is possible to determine whether the water content Rw is 2% or less, 2% to 5%, 5% or more by using the calibration line C without being affected by the above.

As described above, according to the configuration of the illustrated water detector 40, in addition to detecting whether or not the water content Rw of the fuel reaches 5% (second threshold value) exceeding the safety standard, the safety standard Is satisfied, but it is also detected with high accuracy whether or not it is at a level (2% (first threshold value) ≤ Rw <5% (second threshold value)) where it is judged that maintenance and inspection of the equipment is necessary or recommended. It becomes possible to do. By enabling such highly accurate detection, it is possible to provide a refueling machine 10 that can take measures such as maintenance and inspection of the device at an early stage.

The result of this calculation is transmitted from the water detection control device 50 to the refueling machine control device 30, and then displayed on the display 22 on which refueling information such as the refueling amount is displayed. Then, when the water content Rw of the fuel as a result of the calculation falls within a predetermined range, an alarm is issued by the alarm device 23 under the instruction from the refueling machine control device 30.

The refueling machine control device 30 controls the operation of each part such as the pump drive motor 13, that is, the pump 12 and the display 22 in the refueling machine 10 according to the progress of the refueling work based on the operation of the refueling nozzle 18 by the operator, and the flow meter. The flow rate pulse output during refueling from the flow rate transmitter 15 attached to is counted to calculate the refueling amount (the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target), etc., and the display 22 is used for refueling work including the refueling amount. Display the relevant refueling information.

Further, the refueling machine control device 30 controls the measurement of the water content of the supplied fuel by the water detection control device 50, and also controls the water content of the supplied fuel in the detection range of the water detector 40 calculated by the water detection control device 50. It receives the calculation results of (the water content of the fuel located in the detection area of the water detector 40 and passes through it), and controls the entire refueling machine 10 and each part according to these calculation results. In addition, in the case of the refueling machine control device 30 of the illustrated example, it relates to the water content generated by the refueling machine control device 30 or the water detection control device 50 from the accumulation of these calculation results acquired from the execution of the refueling work. Various trend information can be displayed on the display 22 in a visible state.

When the water detection control device 50 determines that an abnormality in the water content Rw has occurred in the fuel supplied to the supply target, the refueling machine control device 30 determines the abnormality determination result from the water detection control device 50. In response to this, it is also possible to output an abnormality occurrence instruction to an output unit that outputs an abnormality determination result, such as an alarm device 23 composed of a buzzer or the like.

Like the water detection control device 50, the refueling machine control device 30 is configured by a computer device provided with, for example, a CPU, a memory, an interface, etc., and is configured to be signal-connected and data-connected to the water detection control device 50. There is. In the above description, in order to clarify the functions of both, the refueling machine control device 30 and the water detection control device 50 are shown as separate devices in FIG. 1 by dividing the blocks and assigning different reference numerals. The water detection control device 50 can also be shared by the refueling machine control device 30 including a computer device including a CPU, a memory, an interface, and the like.

Next, the control configuration of each part of the refueling machine 10 of this embodiment at the time of refueling work will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the refueling machine refueling control executed by the refueling machine control device during the refueling work.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the water content average value Rwav measurement executed by the water detection control device during the refueling operation.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of measurement of a time-series section executed by either a refueling machine control device or a water detection control device during refueling work.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the refueling machine refueling control by the refueling machine control device 30, the refueling machine control device is in the standby state of the refueling machine 10 in which the refueling nozzle 18 is housed in the nozzle hook 19 and the refueling work is not performed. 30 monitors whether or not the refueling nozzle 18 is taken out from the nozzle hook 19 and the refueling work is started by the operator based on the switch detection output of the nozzle switch 21 (step SD010).

When the refueling nozzle 18 is taken out by the operator from the nozzle hook 19 and the refueling work is started (SD010, YES), the refueling machine control device 30 drives the pump drive motor 13 (SD020) and refuels from the pump 12. Preparation for the actual start of fuel supply based on the valve opening operation of the refueling nozzle 18 to the supply target by starting the liquid feeding to the nozzle 18 and resetting the refueling amount display of the display 22 to zero (SD030). Perform processing.

After completing the preparatory process described above, the refueling machine control device 30 is a flow signal consisting of a flow rate pulse corresponding to a flow of each predetermined unit flow rate (for example, 0.01 liter) of the fuel oil liquid supplied from the flow rate transmitter 15. The amount of refueling (fuel supply amount) for the supply target is calculated based on the above and displayed on the display 22 (SD040), and the water content of the supplied fuel calculated by the water detection control device 50 described later from the water detection control device 50 Acquire the average value (water content average value) Rwav (SD050), confirm the end of refueling to determine whether to end refueling to the supply target (SD060), and check whether the acquired average water content Rwav is less than 2%. Confirmation of whether or not (SD070) and whether or not the acquired average water content Rwav is 2% or more and less than 5% (SD080) are performed. As a result of these confirmations, when the average water content Rwav is less than 2% (SD070, YES) or when it is 2% or more and less than 5% (SD080, YES), that is, the average water content Rwav is 5%. If it is less than, the refueling machine control device 30 is adapted to repeat the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070 or the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080.

In these series of processes, confirmation of the end of refueling of whether or not to end refueling to the supply target, which is shown in step SD060, is performed by, for example, nozzle return, limit amount / time limit arrival, and set refueling by the refueling machine control device 30. It is based on the completion of refueling of the amount, the input of the emergency stop signal, and the operation of the emergency stop button. Then, when the refueling machine control device 30 confirms the end of refueling (SD060, YES), the refueling machine control device 30 stops the refueling to the refueling nozzle 18 by the refueling device such as the pump 12 (SD090).

Further, the refueling machine control device 30 confirms whether or not the acquired average water content Rwave is less than 2% in step SD070, and if it is confirmed that it is less than 2% (SD070, YES). , The display 22 and / or the alarm 23 confirms whether or not an alarm is being made to indicate that the average water content Rwav is abnormal (SD071), and if an alarm is being made (SD071, YES), this alarm. Is temporarily stopped (SD072), and then the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070 or the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080 is repeated. Further, in the refueling machine control device 30, it was confirmed in step SD080 whether or not the acquired average water content Rwav was 2% or more and less than 5%, and it was confirmed that it was 2% or more and less than 5%. If (SD080, YES), the indicator 22 and / or the alarm 23 confirms whether or not an abnormal water content average value Rwav is being alarmed (SD081), and if not (SD081). SD081, NO), after the alarm is started by the display 22 and / or the alarm 23 (SD082), the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070, or the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080. Repeat the process.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed in the confirmation of step SD070 and step SD080 that the average water content Rwav is 5% or more (SD070, NO and SD080, NO), the refueling machine control device 30 has step SD040-SD050. -The process shown in SD060-SD070 or the process shown in step SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080 is not repeated, and the display 22 and / or the alarm 23 indicate that the average water content Rwav is abnormal. It is confirmed whether or not an alarm is being generated (SD081), and if it is not an alarm (SD083, NO), an alarm is started by the display 22 and / or the alarm 23 (SD084), and a liquid feeding device such as a pump 12 is used. The liquid feeding to the refueling nozzle 18 is stopped (SD090).

After the refueling machine control device 30 stops the liquid feeding to the refueling nozzle 18 by the refueling device such as the pump 12 in step SD090, the refueling nozzle 18 is housed in the nozzle hook 19 by the operator and the refueling work is completed. It is monitoring whether or not it has been done (SD100). Then, when it is confirmed that the refueling work has been completed (SD100, YES), the refueling machine control device 30 confirms whether or not an alarm is being given that the average water content Rwav is abnormal (SD110). ), The current refueling work is performed except when the alarm is not in effect (SD110, NO), that is, the refueling to the supply target is forcibly stopped due to abnormal water contamination in the supply fuel (SD080, NO). Finish as it is and prepare for the next refueling work.

On the other hand, when an alarm is being issued (SD110, NO), that is, in step SD080, when water is abnormally mixed in the supply fuel and refueling to the supply target is forcibly stopped, the refueling machine control device 30 After recognizing this abnormal state by the staff, the alarm is not stopped and the alarm is maintained until a predetermined reset operation is performed (SD111) (SD120).

On the other hand, in the water content average value Rwav measurement by the water detection control device 50, when the start of the refueling work is detected by the refueling machine control device 30 in step SD010 of FIG. 5 (FIG. 5, step SD010), the refueling machine control device 30 In response to the measurement start instruction from the water detection control device 50, in parallel with the refueling machine refueling control by the refueling machine control device 30, a predetermined execution interval, that is, a predetermined water detector 40 It is repeatedly executed at the sampling interval for the output of the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of.

The output timing of the measurement start instruction from the refueling machine control device 30 is when the refueling nozzle 18 is taken out by the operator from the nozzle hook 19 and the refueling work is started, or the refueling nozzle taken out from the nozzle hook 19. It can be used when the valve 18 is opened by the operator and the fuel supply to the supply target is actually started. For example, in the former case, the refueling machine control device 30 can output a measurement start instruction to the water detection control device 50 based on the switch detection output of the nozzle switch 21, and in the latter case, the switch of the nozzle switch 21. A measurement start instruction can be output to the water detection control device 50 based on the detection output and the input of the flow rate pulse from the flow rate transmitter 15.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the water content average value Rwav measurement, the water detection control device 50 reads a voltage signal having a magnitude corresponding to the reception intensity of the terahertz wave from the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40 ( Step SR010), the received amount of the terahertz wave is calculated by A / D converting the read voltage signal into a voltage value (SR020). Then, the water detection control device 50 has a water content corresponding to the received amount of the terahertz wave from the relationship between the known water content Rw and the voltage value (calibration curve C) stored in advance in the storage unit as a data table or an arithmetic expression. Rw is calculated (SR030), and the water content Rw is stored and stored in the water content average value calculation area (SR040).

Then, the water detection control device 50 completes the measurement of the predetermined time-series section separately measured by the water detection control device 50 itself or the refueling machine control device 30, and the calculation instruction of the water content average value Rwav is input. Check if it is present (SR050). When the calculation instruction of the water content average value Rwav is input (SR050, YES), the water detection control device 50 has a plurality of water content Rw in the time series section stored in the water content average value calculation area. Is used to calculate the average water content Rwav in the time-series section (SR060), and the calculated average water content Rwav is used to store the average water content Rwav acquired in the current refueling operation. While storing in the history storage area (SR070), the stored contents of the water content Rw stored in the water content average value calculation area are cleared, if necessary.

On the other hand, when the calculation instruction of the SR050 average water content Rwav is not input (SR050, NO), the calculation of the average water content Rwav is not performed, and the current measurement of the average water content Rwav is terminated.

Therefore, in the water detection control device 50, the terahertz wave detection output (depending on the reception intensity) detected by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 from the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40 at a predetermined sampling interval. While the acquisition of the voltage signal of the same magnitude) is performed, the calculation of the average water content Rwav of the time-series section is performed for each time-series section whose section length is larger than this sampling interval. ..

Next, the calculation instruction of the water content average value Rwav described in step SR050 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the water detection control device 50 and the water detection control device 50 are signal-connected and data-connected to generate the calculation instruction of the water content average value Rwav. Alternatively, any of the refueling machine control devices 30 can be executed, but here, a case where the water detection control device 50 executes the execution will be described as an example.

In the calculation instruction of the average water content Rwav, as shown in FIG. 7, the water detection control device 50 monitors whether or not refueling to the supply target is started (step SS010), and confirms the start of refueling. (SS010, YES) starts the measurement of the time-series section having a predetermined section length, which is used in the calculation of the water content average value Rwav shown in step SR0600 in FIG. 6 (SS020).

In this case, it is preferable that the water detection control device 50 shown in FIG. 6 synchronizes with the start of the water content average value Rwave measurement for confirmation of whether or not refueling has started. For example, the refueling nozzle 18 is nozzle-hooked. Whether or not the refueling work was started by being taken out by the worker from 19 and whether or not the refueling nozzle 18 taken out from the nozzle hook 19 was opened by the worker and the fuel supply to the supply target was actually started. It is done based on.

Further, the section length of the predetermined time-series section is, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 10 sec) as long as the time length is longer than the sampling interval of the water content Rw shown in FIG. It is possible to specify in the above, or in a predetermined fuel supply amount (for example, in units of 10.00 L or in units of the number of flow rate pulses for 10 L). When the section length of a predetermined time-series section is specified by a predetermined time, the number of water content Rw included in each time-series section is substantially constant for each time-series section. Further, when the section length of the predetermined time series section is specified by the predetermined fuel supply amount, the number of water content Rw included in each time series section is the fuel supply rate (discharge flow velocity) of each time series section. It changes depending on the size of. In the following, a case where the section length of a predetermined time-series section is defined by a predetermined time will be described as an example.

When the measurement of the section length of the time-series section specified by the predetermined time is started in step SS020, the water detection control device 50 determines whether or not the time measurement of the predetermined time is completed (SS030), and the end of refueling is completed. Whether or not it has been confirmed (SS040) is monitored. Then, when the water detection control device 50 completes the time counting for a predetermined time and the end of refueling is not confirmed during that time (SS030, YES), the water content average value Rwav calculation instruction corresponding to the time series section is instructed. Is output (SS031), the process returns to step SS020, and the measurement of the section length of the time-series section defined by the predetermined time is started again.

On the other hand, if the end of refueling is confirmed during the measurement of the section length of the time-series section specified in the predetermined time (SS040, YES), the water detection control device 50 is specified in the predetermined time. The measurement of the section length of the time-series section is completed (SS041), and in the illustrated example, in the refueling work accumulated in the history area by executing the measurement of the water content average value Rwav shown in FIG. 6 during this period. The acquired average water content Rwav is taken out from the history area, and is stored and stored in the analysis storage area provided in the storage unit of the water detection control device 50 in association with the refueling operation (SS042). As a result, the analysis storage area in the storage unit of the water detection control device 50 corresponds to each refueling operation, and was acquired by executing the measurement of the average water content Rwav shown in FIG. 6 during the refueling operation. Alternatively, a plurality of water content average values Rwav will be stored.

According to the refueling machine 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the water detector 40 having the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 is provided, and the water content as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is provided. Since the average water content Rw of the supplied fuel can be measured using the calibration curve C that can determine whether Rw is less than 2%, 2% to less than 5%, or 5% or more, the fuel to be supplied to the supply target. Is applied to a refueling device that refuels a large amount (for example, 400 L) with a high discharge (for example, 75 L / min), it becomes possible to accurately measure the water content Rw of the fuel. As a result, regarding the water content Rw of the fuel supplied to the supply target, when the water content Rw is less than 2% and there is no abnormality, and when the water content Rw is 2% to less than 5% and it is used in the vehicle to be supplied. When it is within the permissible range but it can be judged that maintenance and inspection is necessary or recommended for the refueling machine 10, and when it is used in a vehicle to be supplied with a water content of Rw5% or more, there is a high possibility that combustion failure will occur. Can be distinguished during refueling to the supply target.

Further, when determining the water content Rw of the supplied fuel, the abnormality is determined by calculating the average water content Rw of the supplied fuel in a predetermined time series section, so that the water content of the entire supplied fuel is permissible. Even if there is no abnormality within the range, the instantaneous moisture content Rw due to some supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the water detector 40 is out of the permissible range (for example, 2% ≤ Rw <5%, At 5% ≤ Rw), the voltage value (physical property value) corresponding to the water content Rw equal to or higher than the value of the actual supplied fuel is instantaneously detected by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40, although it is temporary. In such a case, it is not immediately determined that the water content Rw of the supplied fuel is out of the permissible range and there is an abnormality based only on this event, so that more accurate abnormality detection can be performed.

In FIG. 8, even if the water content of the entire supplied fuel is within the allowable range and there is no abnormality, the instantaneous water content Rw of some of the supplied fuels that momentarily pass through the detection range of the water detector is out of the allowable range. It is a schematic diagram of the example of the refueling work.

In the conventional refueling machine, when the refueling work as shown in FIG. 8 appears as an event, the average water content Rwave of the entire supplied fuel is 5% as shown by the dotted line even though it is less than 2%. If the instantaneous moisture content Rw that exceeds is included, it is determined to be abnormal at the time of measurement and the refueling work is stopped, but the average moisture content Rw of the supplied fuel in the predetermined time series section is calculated. In the refueling machine 10 of the present embodiment for determining the abnormality, it is not immediately determined that the water content Rw of the supplied fuel is out of the permissible range and there is an abnormality, so that more accurate abnormality detection can be performed.

Further, since the determination value for detecting the abnormality (for example, 2% ≤ Rw <5%, 5% ≤ Rw) is not changed, there is an inconvenience that the abnormality cannot be detected even though it is originally an abnormality. Can be reduced.

Further, in the refueling machine 10 of the present embodiment, one or a plurality of water content average value Rwav acquired by executing the measurement of the water content average value Rwav during the refueling work is detected as water. Since it can be stored in the analysis storage area in the storage unit of the control device 50, for example, the refueling machine control device 30 or the water detection control device 50 can show the trend of the water content as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11. It can be calculated and acquired based on the water content average value Rwav stored in the analysis storage area.

FIG. 9 is an example of the trend of the water content obtained by calculation based on the average water content Rwav.

In FIG. 9, for each of the last 50 refueling operations, the average value Rwav2 of the average water content Rwav for each operation is calculated, and the average value Rwav2 of the average water content Rwav for each operation is vertically calculated. It is the trend analysis result of the water content plotted on the graph with the axis as the value [%] of the water content and the horizontal axis as the latest 50 refueling operations. According to the trend analysis result of the water content, it is possible to grasp the change tendency such as increase / decrease / constant of the water content in the last 50 refueling operations.

FIG. 10 is another example of the water content trend obtained by calculation based on the water content average value Rwav.

In FIG. 10, for each refueling work in the last one month, the average value Rwav2 of the average water content Rwav for each work is calculated, and based on this, the water content in the entire daily refueling work is calculated. The average value Rwav3 and the average value Rwav4 of the water content in the entire refueling work for one week were calculated, and the average values Rwav3 and Rwav4 of the water content were defined as the water content value [%] on the vertical axis and the month and day on the horizontal axis. It is the trend analysis result of the water content plotted on the graph. According to the trend analysis result of the water content, it is possible to grasp the change tendency such as increase / decrease / constant of the water content in the refueling work in the last one month on a daily basis and a weekly basis.

FIG. 11 is a further example of the trend of the water content obtained by calculating based on the average water content Rwav.

FIG. 11 shows, for each refueling work, the average value Rwav2 of the average water content Rwav for each work is calculated, and based on the average value Rwav2 of the average water content Rwav for each work, FIG. 11 is shown. The ratio [%] of the number of refueling operations corresponding to each value range of the average value Rwav2 to the total number of refueling operations in one day is the ratio [%] on the vertical axis and the average value Rwav2 on the horizontal axis. It is the trend analysis result of the water content shown by the bar graph on the graph with the value range. According to the trend analysis result of the water content, it is possible to grasp in which value range the refueling work was more or less in each value range of the average value Rwav2.

If the display 22 is a display capable of displaying an image, the trend of the water content as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 can be displayed on the display. Further, even if the display 22 is not a display capable of displaying an image, for example, by transmitting and outputting to a refueling management device (SSC) or a refueling station POS communicatively connected to the refueling machine 10 by a gas station LAN or the like. It can also be displayed on the display.

The refueling machine 10 of the present embodiment is configured as described above, but the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and various omissions and replacements are made without departing from the gist of the invention. You can make changes.

For example, in the above-mentioned refueling machine 10, each time-series section of a predetermined time-series section is configured so that adjacent time-series sections are in contact with each other and are connected, but a part of the adjacent time-series sections overlaps with each other. It may be configured, or the time-series section of our office may increase the predetermined section length by a predetermined amount according to the increase in the fuel supply time (refueling time) and the fuel supply amount (refueling amount) for the supply target. It may be configured in any number. In the latter case, it is possible to automatically set the average moisture content Rwav of the last increased time series section to the average moisture content Rwav2 of the refueling operation.

Further, in the refueling machine 10 described above, the water detection control device 50 calculates the water content (instantaneous water content) Rw corresponding to the received amount of the terahertz wave to calculate the average water content Rwav in the time series section. Although it was configured (Fig. 6), the water content (instantaneous water content) Fw corresponding to the received amount of the terahertz wave was calculated to calculate the average water content Fwav of the time series section, and the obtained time series section was included. The water content average value Fwav may be added one after another to obtain the total water content ΣFw in the fuel supply amount to the supply target. Then, the percentage of the total water content ΣFw in the fuel supply amount to the supply target is calculated at any time, and when it exceeds the predetermined water content (for example, 5%), it is calculated. It may be determined that it is abnormal.

Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the fuel discharge amount (refueling discharge amount) for each time-series unit interval is multiplied by the water content (instantaneous water content) Rw for each time-series unit interval to obtain each time-series unit interval. The water content is calculated, the water content for each time-series unit interval is integrated during fuel supply to the supply target, and the total water content ΣW added to the supply target is calculated, and this total water content ΣW is calculated. It may be configured to determine an abnormality depending on whether or not a predetermined abnormality determination value has been reached.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the total amount of water added ΣW.

Further, as the water detector 40 that measures the turbidity of the supplied fuel and detects the mixed water in the supplied fuel, the light emitting side optical fiber is used instead of the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42. An optical fiber sensor configured to include an optical fiber on the light receiving side and an optical fiber on the light receiving side may be used. The optical fiber sensor is configured such that, for example, the light emitting end face and the light receiving end face of both optical fibers face the supply fuel inside the supply pipe line 16. Further, the water detector 40 is not limited to the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41, the terahertz wave detecting unit 42, and the optical fiber sensor as long as it can measure the water content and the water content for each time series section.

Such modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, as well as in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 refueling machine,
11 Gasoline pump housing,
12 pumps,
13 Pump drive motor,
14 Flowmeter,
15 Flow transmitter,
16 Supply pipeline,
17 hose,
18 Refueling nozzle,
19 Nozzle hook,
21 Nozzle switch,
22 Display,
23 Alarm,
30 Refueling machine control device,
40 water detector,
41 Terahertz wave transmitter,
42 Terahertz wave detector,
43 Isolation member,
50 Water detection control device.

Claims (5)

The fuel supply path where the fuel to be supplied to the supply target is sent, and
A water detection unit provided in the fuel supply path and detecting water mixed in the fuel located in the detection area in the fuel supply path, and a water detection unit.
A water mixing measurement unit that measures the water content or water content in the fuel located in the detection area of the water detection unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit.
A water content storage unit that stores the water content or water content in the fuel sequentially measured by the water mixing measurement unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit during fuel supply work or fuel supply to the supply target. When,
A water mixing calculation unit that calculates the integrated water content or average water content of a predetermined time-series section based on the water content or water content in a plurality of fuels stored in the water content storage unit.
The presence or absence of an abnormality in the fuel supplied to the supply target is determined by comparing the integrated water content or the average water content of the predetermined time-series section, which is sequentially calculated by the water mixing calculation unit, with the predetermined abnormality determination value. Abnormality judgment unit to judge and
It is equipped with a fuel supply device. The water detection unit
It is configured to have a terahertz wave transmitting unit and a terahertz wave detecting unit arranged opposite to each other with a detection region flow path through which fuel flowing through the fuel supply path can pass.
The fuel supply device according to claim 1. The water mixing measuring unit measures the water content in the fuel located in the detection area of the water detecting unit based on the detection output of the water detecting unit.
The water content storage unit stores the water content in the fuel sequentially measured by the water mixing measurement unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit during the fuel supply work to the supply target or during the fuel supply.
The water mixing calculation unit calculates the average water content of a predetermined time series section based on the water content in a plurality of fuels stored in the water content storage unit.
The abnormality determination unit is
The water content average value of the predetermined time-series section calculated sequentially by the water mixing calculation unit is compared with the predetermined water content threshold value for abnormality determination, and the abnormality in the fuel supplied to the supply target is compared. Judge the presence or absence,
The predetermined time-series section is a fixed time length that is longer than the measurement interval of the water content by the water mixing measuring unit and shorter than the fuel supply working time or the fuel supply working time to the supply target.
The fuel supply device according to claim 1. The water mixing measuring unit measures the water content in the fuel located in the detection area of the water detecting unit based on the detection output of the water detecting unit.
The water content storage unit stores the water content in the fuel sequentially measured by the water mixing measurement unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit during the fuel supply operation to the supply target or during the fuel supply.
The water mixing calculation unit calculates the integrated water content in a predetermined time series section based on the water content in the plurality of fuels stored in the water content value storage unit.
The abnormality determination unit is
The integrated water content of the predetermined time-series section calculated sequentially by the water mixing calculation unit is compared with the predetermined integrated water content threshold value for determining an abnormality, and the abnormality in the fuel supplied to the supply target is compared. Judge the presence or absence,
The predetermined time-series section is a fixed time length that is longer than the measurement interval of the water content by the water mixing measuring unit and shorter than the fuel supply working time or the fuel supply working time to the supply target.
The fuel supply device according to claim 1. Trends for each fuel supply operation regarding the water content or water content in the fuel located in the detection area of the water detection unit measured by the water mixing measurement unit.
or,
Trends for each fuel supply operation regarding the integrated water content or water content average value of the predetermined time-series section calculated by the water mixing calculation unit.
Analysis department, which analyzes
The fuel supply device according to claim 1.

Images