JPH0737280B2 - Inventory control system at gas stations - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

[Industrial application] The present invention relates to an inventory adjustment system for effectively utilizing inventory at a gas station having a plurality of underground tanks of the same oil type.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in FIG.
1 to 2 weighing machines 3 from 32 through refueling pipes 33 to 36
7 to 40 were connected and sold, but depending on the installation location of the weighing machine and the like, there are weighing machines that are frequently entered by the vehicle and weighing machines that are infrequently used, resulting in a large difference in the amount of refueling. The difference in the amount of refueling is directly related to the amount of stock in the underground tank,
Even for tanks with a capacity of 0 kiloliters, the stock of tanks connected to a meter with a large amount of refueling will rapidly decrease, and the tank connected to a meter with a small amount of oil will decrease only slightly. In the end, although one tank was in stock, the other tank was out of stock, and we could not use the weighing machine connected to the unstocked tank, so we guided the car to an available weighing machine. There is considerable waste, such as arranging tanker trucks only for tanks that are out of stock.

In order to solve this, there is an automatic balancing system as shown in FIG. This is the underground tank 5
The suction pipes from 0 to 54 are connected to the three-way valves 61 to 63, and the liquid level detectors 70 provided in the respective underground tanks 50 to 54
This is a system in which the output of 74 is monitored by a digital liquid level gauge 81, and the controller 82 operates the three-way valves 61 to 63 according to the change of the stock amount to switch the underground tank to be used.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, if the system is to be installed at an existing gas station, it is necessary to replace all the piping from the tank to the weighing machine, which requires a long construction period and hinders gas station operations. There are many problems such as being done.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to adjust the amount of underground tank stock at a gas station so that the inventory can be used efficiently, and the construction period can be minimized to significantly reduce the business interruption time at the gas station. It is in.

[0006]

In order to solve this problem, the inventory adjustment system of the present invention stores an oil of the same oil type in a gas station having a plurality of underground tanks storing the oil of the same oil type. In a gas station having a plurality of underground tanks, a suction pipe having a tip hanging down into the underground tank and a base end being led out from the rising pipe is inserted into a rising pipe connected to the underground tank, and the suction pipes It is characterized in that the base end of the pipe is provided with means for sucking and supplying the oil in the underground tank.

If it is determined that a particular underground tank is used less frequently, the system for refueling that underground tank is omitted, and only the refueling system from that underground tank to other underground tanks is used. You can also

[0008]

In the present invention, the oil amount or the liquid level of each underground tank is monitored, and the oil amount or the liquid level of a certain underground tank is below a certain level or the difference of the oil amount or the liquid level with other underground tanks. When it exceeds a certain level, oil is automatically or manually operated to supply oil from an underground tank with a large remaining amount to an underground tank with a small remaining amount through a suction pipe and an oiling pipe. This eliminates the need for special piping work only by inserting the suction pipe into the existing rising pipe.

If it is determined that a particular underground tank is used less frequently, the cost of equipment can be reduced by omitting the system for refueling the underground tank.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first system according to the present invention.
It is a block diagram which shows an Example. In the figure, 1 and 2 are underground tanks, 3 and 4 are rising pipes, and 5 and 6 are lubrication ports.
The rising pipes 3 and 4 are used as they are without modifying the existing pipes, and the suction pipes 7 and 8 are inserted into the rising pipes 3 and 4 so that the tips project into the underground tanks 1 and 2. The base ends of the suction pipes 7 and 8 are adapters 9 provided near the rising pipes 3 and 4,
Take out to the ground via 10. Suction opening / closing solenoid valves 11 and 12 are connected to the ends of the suction pipes 7 and 8 on the ground side. Further, the tip ends of the oiling pipes 13 and 14 are connected to the adapters 9 and 10 so as to communicate with the insides of the rising pipes 3 and 4, and the oiling opening / closing solenoid valves are connected to the base ends of the oiling pipes 13 and 14. 15, 16 are connected. An oil supply pump 17 is provided between the suction opening / closing solenoid valves 11 and 12 and the oil supply opening / closing solenoid valves 15 and 16. Reference numeral 22 in the figure is a motor for driving the oil supply pump 17.

As the suction pipes 7 and 8, flexible hoses which can be easily inserted into the rising pipes 3 and 4 can be used, but the suction pipes 7 and 8 are not limited thereto. The same applies to the oil injection pipes 13 and 14.

The underground tanks 1 and 2 are respectively provided with oil level sensors 18 and 19 for detecting the stock quantity, and the detection outputs thereof are input to a digital indicator 20. The output of the digital indicator 20 is input to the solenoid valve control device 21.

One of the stock quantities of oil in each of the underground tanks 1 and 2 detected by the oil level sensors 18 and 19, for example, the stock quantity of the underground tank 1 is below a certain value, or the mutual difference is a certain value. As described above, the solenoid valve control device 21 issues a command to open the suction opening / closing solenoid valve 12 and the oil supply opening / closing solenoid valve 15, and operates the oil supply pump 17. This allows
The oil in the underground tank 2 is sucked up via the suction pipe 8,
The oil is sent to the adapter 9 on the oil inlet 5 side via the solenoid valve 12, the oil supply pump 17, and the solenoid valve 15, and the oil is supplied to the underground tank 1 through the rising pipe 3. When the stock quantity in the underground tanks 1 and 2 becomes almost the equilibrium value, the pump 17 is stopped and the solenoid valves 12 and 15 are closed.

An air valve may be used instead of the suction opening / closing solenoid valves 11 and 12 and the oiling opening / closing solenoid valves 15 and 16.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the system according to the present invention. In the first embodiment of FIG. 1, the oil sucked from the suction pipes 7 and 8 is supplied to the underground tank through the oil supply pump 17 and the rising pipes 3 and 4, but in the second embodiment, suction is performed. The oil sucked from one of the pipes 7 and 8 is supplied to the underground tank through the oil supply pump 17 and the other suction pipe. For example, when it is desired to send oil from the underground tank 1 to the underground tank 2, if the solenoid valve 11 and the solenoid valve 16 are opened and the pump 17 is driven, the oil in the underground tank 1 is sucked through the suction pipe 7,
It is sent to the suction pipe 8 in the rising pipe 4 via the electromagnetic valve 11, the pump 17, and the electromagnetic valve 16, and the oil is supplied to the underground tank 2.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the system according to the present invention. The solenoid valves 11 and 1 in the second embodiment are shown in FIG.
The same oil can be supplied by using three-way solenoid valves 26, 27 instead of 2, 15, 16.

In the above-described first to third embodiments, the example of the case of two underground tanks has been described, but it goes without saying that the same can be applied to the case of three or more underground tanks.

The above is an example of a system in which all underground tanks can be refueled with each other. However, depending on the filling station, the underground tanks that are frequently used due to the installation location of the weighing machine and the like. , There are times when there are fixed underground tanks that are rarely used. Therefore, when the system of FIG. 1 is installed, the refueling system for a specific underground tank may not be used. Therefore, in the following embodiments, a system is provided in which only an oil supply system from an underground tank that is used less frequently to an underground tank that is used more frequently is provided.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment (fourth embodiment) in which the underground tank 1 is used less frequently and the underground tank 2 is used.
Is used as a tank. In this case, the suction pipe 7 is inserted only into the rising pipe 3 on the side of the underground tank 1 so that the tip projects into the underground tank 1. The base end of the suction pipe 7 is taken out to the ground via an adapter 9 provided near the rising pipe 3 and connected to an oil supply pump 17. The outlet side of the oil supply pump 17 is connected via an oil supply pipe 14 to an adapter 10 provided near the rising pipe 4 on the underground tank 2 side. As a result, when the oil amount or the liquid level in the underground tank 2 becomes a certain value or less, or when the difference from the oil amount or the liquid level in the underground tank 1 becomes a certain value or more, the output of the digital indicator 20 causes the pump driving device 23. The oil in the underground tank 1 is sucked up through the suction pipe 7, and the motor 22 is driven to operate the oil supply pump 17, and the oil is pumped through the oil supply pump 17, the oil supply pipe 14, the adapter 10, and the rising pipe 4. It is supplied into the underground tank 2. When the stock quantity in the underground tanks 1 and 2 reaches a nearly equilibrium value, the fuel pump 17 is stopped. As described above, the system of the present embodiment can be sufficiently applied when there is an underground tank which is frequently used and whose oil amount or liquid level often decreases, and the equipment cost is also higher than that of the system of FIG. Can be made smaller.

FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the system configuration of FIG. 4, a check valve 24 is provided between the oil supply pump 17 and the suction pipe 3 to stop the oil supply pump 17. After that, the oil is prevented from falling into the suction pipe 3. The other configurations are similar to those of the system shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the present invention. In a gas station having a plurality of underground tanks 1, 2-1 and 2-2, the underground tank 1 is a tank which is used less frequently. Shows the system when in this case,
This is the same as the system of FIG. 4 provided with a plurality of underground tank 2 systems, and elements having an equivalent configuration include (-
1) and (-2) are attached. And the lubrication pipe 14-1
And 14-2 are connected to the oil supply pump 17 via solenoid valves 25-1 and 25-2. Therefore, underground tank 2
-1 or 2-2, for example, when the oil amount or liquid level of 2-2 is below a certain level or the difference from the oil amount or liquid level of the underground tank 1 is above a certain value, the digital indicator 20 Is transmitted to the solenoid valve control device 21, the corresponding solenoid valve 25-2 is opened, the motor 22 is driven to operate the oil supply pump 17, and the oil in the underground tank 1 is passed through the suction pipe 7. Suck up, refueling pump 17, solenoid valve 25-
2, lubrication pipe 14-2, adapter 10-2, rising pipe 4
-2 into the underground tank 2-2. In the case of the other underground tank 2-1, oil is similarly supplied from the underground tank 1.

In the above-mentioned first to sixth embodiments, the solenoid valve control device 21 or the pump drive device 23 is automatically operated according to the detection values of the liquid level sensors of the underground tanks 1, 2, 2-1 and 2-2. Although the automatic device for driving and transferring the oil is shown, the operator may manually operate the solenoid valve control device 21 or the pump driving device 23 to transfer the oil when there is no liquid level sensor or the like. You can also

FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the present invention, in which the base ends of the suction pipes 7 and 8 inserted in the rising pipes 3 and 4 are combined into one and a valve 28 is provided. When transferring oil, a suction device is connected to the valve 28 to suck oil from the underground tanks 1 and 2. When the suction pipes 7 and 8 are filled with oil, the valve 28
Close. After that, even if there is a difference in the suction amount from each tank by the weighing machine, the siphon effect in the suction pipes 7 and 8 always keeps the oil level in both underground tanks 7 and 8 balanced.

In the eighth embodiment of FIG. 8, the number of underground tanks in the embodiment of FIG. 7 is three, and three suction pipes 7,8-
The base ends of 1, 8-2 are combined into one, and when there is a difference in the remaining amount of one of the underground tanks 1, 2-1 and 2-2, a valve 28 that automatically connects to the atmosphere is provided. Closed, pump 17
Operate. The suction of the pump 17 starts, the suction pipe 7,
When the air in 8-1, 8-2 is discharged, the pump 17
Automatically stops, and tanks 1 and 2 due to the siphon effect
The oil moves naturally until the level of the liquid surface in 1 and 2-2 becomes uniform. Sensors 18 and 19-
The valve 28 is automatically opened upon receiving from 1, 19-2 to drop all the oil in the suction pipes 7, 8-1, 8-2 into the underground tank so that the siphon does not always sing.

The ninth embodiment of FIG. 9 is a valve (two-way valve) of FIG.
28 is a three-way valve 28 ′, and the other configurations and operations are the same, so description thereof will be omitted.

In the eighth and ninth embodiments, the solenoid valve control device 21 includes liquid level sensors 18, 19-1 and 19-.
Input signals from 2 and enter underground tanks 1, 2-1 and 2-2
Although the oil is automatically transferred according to the level of the oil inside, when the liquid level sensor is not provided, the operator manually operates the solenoid valve control device 21 to transfer the oil. You can also do so.

By the way, according to the present Fire Defense Law, suction from an underground tank during unloading, that is, sale of oil and movement of oil by a weighing machine is prohibited. It is preferable to keep the regulation system inactive. For example, when the level of the underground tank is increasing at a constant speed, it is automatically detected that the tank is being unloaded, and the power supply of the inventory amount automatic adjustment system of the present invention is turned off or the movement of oil is stopped. When the unloading is completed, it will be automatically restored.

[0028]

As described above, the present invention has the following effects.

Since the existing underground riser pipes can be used as they are, there will be no business hindrance time when remodeling.

For the same reason as above, there is no chiseling work and piping change work in the existing soil.

By adjusting the inventory amount, it is possible to prevent the inventory assets of the tank with poor rotation from being laid for a long time, and it is possible to utilize the inventory efficiently.

The frequency of stays decreases significantly as the number of tank trucks arranged.

The oil of the specific weighing machine will not run out, and it will not be necessary to guide or replace the passenger car.

Since the inventory quantity of a plurality of tanks is uniformly reduced at the gas station, the amount of oil received at one time is increased, and the oil loading amount of the tank truck is extremely increased, and accordingly, the number of dispatched vehicles is also decreased. The cost can be reduced.

Since there is a margin in the consumed inventory amount, the time designation when arranging a tank truck vehicle is drastically reduced.

Since the amount of oil received per gas station is large,
The number of vehicles for two gas stations will be extremely reduced, and trailer delivery will be possible.

When it is decided that the frequency of use of a particular underground tank is low, the equipment cost can be reduced by omitting the system for refueling the underground tank.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a third embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing a fifth embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing a sixth embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a seventh embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an eighth embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing a ninth embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a conventional refueling facility.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a conventional inventory balance system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,2,2-1,2-2 underground tank, 3,4,4-
1,4-2 Rise pipe, 5,6,6-1,6-2 Oil inlet, 7,8 Suction pipe, 9,10,10-1,10-2
Adapter, 11,12 Solenoid valve for suction opening / closing, 13,1
4, 14-1, 14-2 Oil injection pipe, 15, 16, 25-
1, 25-2 Solenoid valve for opening / closing oil supply, 17 oil supply pump,
18, 19, 19-1, 19-2 Oil level sensor, 20
Digital indicator, 21 solenoid valve control device, 22 motor, 23 pump drive device, 24, 29 check valve, 26,
27,28 'Three-way solenoid valve, 28 valves

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. In a gas station having two underground tanks storing the same type of oil, in a rising pipe connected to one underground tank, a tip hangs down into the underground tank and a base end is from the rising pipe. In a gas filling station, which is characterized in that a suction pipe led out to the outside is inserted, and a means for sucking oil in the one underground tank and supplying the oil to the other underground tank is provided at a base end of the suction pipe. Inventory adjustment system. 2. A pump is the means for sucking the oil in one underground tank and supplying it to the other underground tank.
Inventory adjustment system at the gas station described. 3. The inventory quantity adjusting system in a gas station according to claim 2, wherein a check valve is provided between the pump and the suction pipe. 4. The signal of a sensor for detecting the oil amount in each underground tank causes the oil amount or liquid level in the other underground tank to be below a certain level or the difference in the oil amount or liquid level from one underground tank to be above a certain level. The inventory amount adjusting system in a gas station according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a control device that drives a pump to refuel from the one underground tank to the other underground tank when it becomes low. 5. In a gas station having three or more underground tanks storing the same type of oil, in a rising pipe connected to a part of the underground tank, a tip hangs down into the underground tank and the base end is A suction pipe that is led out from the rising pipe is inserted, and the base end of this suction pipe is equipped with a means for sucking the oil in the part of the underground tank and supplying it to the other remaining underground tanks. A stock adjustment system at a gas station. 6. The inventory adjustment system according to claim 5, wherein the means for sucking the oil in some of the underground tanks and supplying it to the other remaining underground tanks is a pump. 7. The inventory adjustment system in a gas station according to claim 6, wherein a solenoid valve is provided between the outlet side of the pump and the plurality of oiling pipes. 8. The inventory adjustment system in a gas station according to claim 6, wherein a solenoid valve is provided between the inlet side of the pump and the plurality of suction pipes. 9. The signal of a sensor for detecting the oil amount in each underground tank indicates that the oil amount or liquid level in a certain underground tank is below a certain level or the difference in oil amount or liquid level from another underground tank is above a certain level. 9. The inventory amount adjusting system in a gas station according to claim 6, further comprising a control device that drives a pump to refuel from one underground tank to the other underground tank. . 10. In a gas station having a plurality of underground tanks that store the same type of oil, in all of the rising pipes connected to the underground tank, the tip hangs down into the underground tank and the base end extends from the rising pipe. Insert the suction tube led out to the outside,
Suction of oil in the underground tank at the base end of these suction pipes,
An inventory adjustment system at a gas station, which is provided with means for supplying. 11. The inventory adjustment system at a gas station according to claim 10, wherein the means for sucking the oil in the underground tank and supplying it to another underground tank is a pump. 12. The inventory adjustment system according to claim 11, wherein two-way valves are provided between the outlet side and the inlet side of the pump and the plurality of oiling pipes. 13. The inventory adjustment system according to claim 11, wherein a three-way valve is provided between each of the inlet side and the inlet side of the pump and the plurality of oil supply pipes. 14. A signal from a sensor for detecting the oil amount in each underground tank indicates that the oil amount or liquid level in a certain underground tank is below a certain level or the difference in oil amount or liquid level from another underground tank is above a certain level. The inventory amount adjusting system at a gas station according to any one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising a control device that drives a pump to refuel from one underground tank to the other underground tank when the tank is operated. . 15. In a gas station having a plurality of underground tanks that store the same type of oil, in all of the rising pipes connected to the underground tanks, a tip hangs down into the underground tank and a base end extends from the rising pipes. Insert the suction tube led out to the outside,
A stock adjustment system at a gas station, wherein the base ends of these suction pipes are commonly connected, and a valve is provided between the connection point and a suction device connection pipe on the atmosphere side. 16. The inventory adjustment system according to claim 15, wherein the suction device connected to the suction device connection pipe is a pump. 17. A signal from a sensor for detecting the oil amount in each underground tank indicates that the oil amount or the liquid level in a certain underground tank is below a certain level or the difference in the oil amount or the liquid level from another underground tank is above a certain level. 17. The inventory adjustment system at a gas station according to claim 16, wherein when the pump is operated, the suction pipes of the respective underground tanks are filled with oil so that the liquid levels of all the underground tanks become equal due to a siphon phenomenon.