CN110848560A - Unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an unattended LNG filling machine, which comprises a filling gun, a gas transmission pipeline, a control module, a POS machine, a mass flow meter and an emergency shut-off valve. The gas pipeline is connected with the filling gun; the POS machine is connected to the control module, the POS machine pre-authorizes the bank card, and transmits the authorization signal to the control module; the mass flow meter is used to detect the quality of the LNG injected into the vehicle tank, The detected quality signal is transmitted to the control module; the emergency shut-off valve is used to open or close the gas pipeline, wherein the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve based on the authorization signal to perform gas filling; after the gas filling is stopped, the control module is based on The quality signal generates a fee signal and transmits the fee signal to the POS machine to complete the deduction. According to the unattended LNG filling machine of the present invention, it is possible to realize the self-service filling of LNG by the driver, and the filling station does not need filling personnel and cashier personnel. While ensuring the operation safety, the filling efficiency is improved and the construction of the filling station is reduced. cost.

Description

Unattended LNG Dispenser

technical field

The invention relates to the technical field of gas filling machines, in particular to an unattended LNG filling machine.

Background technique

Existing LNG filling machines usually work in a non-self-service manner, that is, the LNG filling station has special filling personnel and cashiers. The control system and process of the LNG dispenser usually require the assistance of gas filling operators. This kind of gas filling machine that fills LNG with the assistance of gas filling operators has many shortcomings. For example, the gas filling station needs to hire a large number of operators, and at the same time, it needs to build an office station, which requires a lot of manpower and funds. To a certain extent, it restricts the number of LNG filling stations constructed, thus restricting the promotion and use of LNG new energy.

In addition, after the gas filling is completed, the driver needs to go to the business hall to pay the fee, especially during the peak period, which leads to a large number of vehicles queuing, and the use efficiency of the gas filling machine is low, which ultimately affects the comprehensive economic benefits of the gas filling station.

Therefore, there is a need to provide an unattended LNG dispenser to at least partially solve the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A series of concepts in simplified form have been introduced in the Summary section, which are described in further detail in the Detailed Description section. The Summary of the Invention section of the present invention is not intended to attempt to limit the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor is it intended to attempt to determine the protection scope of the claimed technical solution.

In order to at least partially solve the above problems, the present invention discloses an unattended LNG filling machine, which is used for filling the vehicle-mounted tank of a vehicle, and the unattended LNG filling machine comprises:

refill gun;

a gas pipeline, which is communicated with the filling gun;

control module;

a POS machine, the POS machine is electromechanically connected to the control module, and the POS machine can pre-authorize bank cards and transmit an authorization signal to the control module;

a mass flow meter electrically connected to the control module for detecting the mass of the LNG injected into the vehicle-mounted tank, and transmitting a detected mass signal to the control module; and

an emergency shut-off valve, the emergency shut-off valve is arranged on the gas pipeline and is electrically connected to the control module to open or close the gas pipeline,

wherein the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve based on the authorization signal for refilling; and

After the gas filling is stopped, the control module generates a charge signal based on the quality signal, and transmits the charge signal to the POS machine to complete the charge deduction.

According to the unattended LNG filling machine of the present invention, it is possible to realize the self-service filling of LNG by the driver, and can realize the self-service deduction operation. The filling station does not need special filling personnel and cashier personnel. While ensuring the operation safety, it can The filling efficiency is greatly improved, so that fewer personnel are invested and the construction cost of the filling station is reduced.

Optionally, it also includes a filling gun detection sensor, the filling gun detection sensor is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the position of the filling gun, and transmitting the detected position signal of the filling gun to the control module.

Optionally, it also includes a return air gun and a return air gun detection sensor, and the return air gun detection sensor is electrically connected to the control module to detect the position of the return air gun, and transmit the detected position signal of the return air gun to the control module. the control module.

Optionally, it also includes an electrostatic grounding clip and an electrostatic grounding detection device, the electrostatic grounding detection device is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the state of the electrostatic grounding clip and transmitting the detected grounding signal to the control module module.

Optionally, it also includes a continuous refilling button, the continuous refilling button is electrically connected to the control module, and when the time for pressing the continuous refilling button exceeds a first time period, the control module controls the emergency shutdown The valve opens the gas delivery line for gas filling; when the time for releasing the continuous gas filling button exceeds a second time period, the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to close to stop gas filling.

Optionally, a fault prompt light is further included, the fault prompt light is electrically connected to the control module, so that the control module controls the fault prompt light based on the received fault signal.

Optionally, the unattended LNG refueling machine further includes a pull-off detection sensor, which is electrically connected to the control module for detecting whether the filling gun is pulled and disconnected, and detects whether the filling gun is pulled or not. The fault signal is generated and transmitted to the control module when the filling gun is pulled off, and/or

The unattended LNG dispenser further includes a collision detection sensor, which is electrically connected to the control module for detecting whether the unattended LNG dispenser collides, and when the unattended LNG dispenser collides. The fault signal is generated and transmitted to the control module when the manned LNG filling machine collides.

Optionally, a power supply module is further included, and the power supply module is used to supply power to each power consumption unit of the unattended LNG filling machine.

Optionally, an LED display screen is also included, and the LED display screen is electrically connected to the control module for displaying the current operation status and transaction processing information.

Optionally, the control module includes a master control module and a slave control module, and the master control module and the slave control module are connected through a 485 bus.

Description of drawings

The following drawings of embodiments of the present invention are incorporated herein as a part of the present disclosure for understanding of the present invention. The accompanying drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and their description, which serve to explain the principles of the present invention. In the attached drawings,

Fig. 1 is the frame structure schematic diagram of the gas filling machine of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the gas filling machine in Fig. 1; and

FIG. 3 is another three-dimensional schematic diagram of the gas filling machine in FIG. 2 .

Description of reference numbers:

100. Unattended LNG filling machine 110. Filling gun

120, air return gun 130, filling gun barrel

140. Back to the air gun barrel 150. LED display

Detailed ways

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, some technical features known in the art are not described in order to avoid confusion with the embodiments of the present invention.

For a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, detailed structures will be presented in the following description. Obviously, the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art.

The invention discloses an unattended LNG filling machine 100, which is used for filling a vehicle-mounted tank of a vehicle. The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may mainly include a filling gun 110, a gas transmission pipeline, a control module, a POS machine, a mass flow meter, and an emergency shut-off valve.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 .

The gas pipeline communicates with the filling gun 110 . Specifically, the gas pipeline is used to transport LNG (ie, liquefied natural gas). The filling gun 110 is used to connect with the on-board tank of the vehicle. For example, the filling gun 110 can be inserted into the filling port of the on-board tank to fill the on-board tank with LNG. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the filling gun 110 may be provided on one side of the unattended LNG filling machine 100, and one end (eg, lower end) of the filling gun 110 can be inserted into the filling gun located below it inside the barrel 130.

The emergency shut-off valve can be arranged on the gas pipeline and electrically connected to the control module to open or close the gas pipeline. During the execution of the action of the unattended LNG filling machine 100, the emergency shut-off valve plays the role of controlling the flow of LNG and providing safety protection. Specifically, the emergency shut-off valve can be electrically connected to the slave control module, so that the slave control module can control the emergency shut-off valve to open or close the gas pipeline.

The control module may include a master control module and a slave control module, and the master control module and the slave control module may be connected through a 485 bus. The processor of the main control module can be a high-performance ARM9 chip. The control module (eg, the main control module) can collect and process signals, coordinate the actions and functions of the dispenser, and realize the metering, calculation, display, deduction and safety protection of the unattended LNG dispenser 100 .

The POS is electromechanically connected to the control module, and the POS machine can pre-authorize the bank card and transmit the authorization signal to the control module. Specifically, between the start of gas filling, it is necessary to perform card swipe pre-authorization on the POS machine through a bank card such as a credit card. The control module controls the emergency shut-off valve (eg, controls the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas pipeline) based on the authorization signal, so as to perform gas filling.

The mass flow meter is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the mass of the LNG injected into the vehicle-mounted tank, and transmitting the detected mass signal to the control module. Specifically, the mass flow meter may be electrically connected to the main control module, so as to be able to directly transmit the detected mass signal to the main control module. After the gas filling is stopped, the control module generates a charge signal based on the quality signal, and transmits the charge signal to the POS machine to complete the deduction. Specifically, the main control module can read information such as the accumulated amount, density, and temperature of the mass flow meter to calculate the final fee signal, such as transaction weight and amount information. More specifically, the mass flow meter may be provided on the gas pipeline and downstream of the emergency shut-off valve, or the mass flow meter may also be provided on the filling gun 110 to measure the weight of the LNG filled into the vehicle-mounted tank, etc. information.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may further include a filling gun detection sensor, and the filling gun detection sensor is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the position of the filling gun 110 and transmitting the detected position signal of the filling gun 110 to the control module. Specifically, in this embodiment, the filling gun detection sensor can be electrically connected to the slave control module to transmit the detected position signal of the filling gun 110 to the slave control module, and then to the master control module. More specifically, the filling gun detection sensor may be disposed in the filling gun barrel 130, and can contact the filling gun 110 to sense the position of the filling gun 110, so that when the filling gun 110 is pulled from the filling gun barrel When out, the filling gun detection sensor will not be able to sense the filling gun 110. Therefore, by providing the refill gun detection sensor, it can be avoided that the refill gun is not pulled out from the refill gun barrel 130 at the start of refueling, that is, the refill gun 110 is not inserted into the filling port of the vehicle-mounted tank of the vehicle. Or avoid not returning the filling gun 110 to the original position after the gas filling, for example, not inserting it into the filling gun barrel 130 .

The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a return air gun 120 and a return air gun detection sensor, and the return air gun detection sensor is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the position of the return air gun 120 and transmits the detected position signal of the return air gun 120 transmitted to the control module. Specifically, the air return gun detection sensor may be electrically connected to the slave control module, so as to transmit the detected position signal of the filling gun 110 to the slave control module, and then to the master control module.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the air return gun 120 and the filling gun 110 may be disposed on the same side of the unattended LNG filling machine 100, and one end (eg, the lower end) of the air return gun 120 can be inserted into Inside the back air gun barrel 140 below it. The air-return gun detection sensor can be arranged in the air-return gun barrel 140, and can contact the air-return gun 120 to sense the position of the air-return gun 120, so that when the air-return gun 120 is pulled out from the air-return gun barrel, the air-return gun detection sensor will not be able to sense it. Back to the air gun 120. Therefore, by providing the air return gun detection sensor, it can be avoided that the air return gun is not pulled out from the air return gun barrel 140 when the air return starts, that is, the air return gun 120 is not connected to the vehicle-mounted tank of the vehicle, or that the air return gun is not connected after the air return is completed. The air return gun 120 is put back to its original position, for example, inserted into the air return gun barrel 140, and at the same time, the dangerous operation of adding air while returning air can be avoided.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may further include an electrostatic grounding clip and an electrostatic grounding detection device, and the electrostatic grounding detection device is electrically connected to the control module for detecting the state of the electrostatic grounding clip and transmitting the detected grounding signal to the control module . Specifically, the electrostatic grounding detection device may be electrically connected to the main control module to directly transmit the detected electrostatic grounding signal to the control module. Further, in the present invention, it may be required that the electrostatic grounding clip is connected before the gas filling can be performed, so as to ensure the gas filling safety.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may also include a continuous filling button, which is electrically connected to the control module. When the continuous filling button is pressed for a time exceeding the first time period, the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas pipeline In order to refill; when the time for releasing the continuous refilling button exceeds the second time period, the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to close to stop refilling. In this way, the driver's high participation in the refueling process is guaranteed to avoid accidents. In addition, when the time for releasing the continuous gas filling button exceeds the third time period, the gas filling process ends. The third period is longer than the second period.

Specifically, the continuous gas filling button can be electrically connected to the main control module. The first duration, the second duration and the third duration can be preset. For example, the first duration can be 5 seconds, the second duration can be 3 seconds, and the third duration can be 6 seconds, so that when the driver keeps pressing the continuous gas filling button for more than 5 seconds, the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas pipeline In order to refill, when the duration of releasing the continuous refilling button exceeds 3 seconds, the control module controls the emergency cut-off valve to close to stop refilling. When the driver continues to press the continuous refilling button for more than 6 seconds, the refilling process ends. If you press the continuous refilling button again within 3 seconds after this, it will not have any effect, continue to refill, and then press the continuous refilling button again more than 3 seconds after this, the refilling has been confirmed to end, there will be no For refilling operation, you need to end the current transaction and press the continuous refilling button again to refill. Those skilled in the art can understand that the first duration is not limited to 5 seconds, the second duration is not limited to 3 seconds, and the third duration is not limited to 6 seconds. The third duration may be greater than or less than 3 seconds, the third duration may be greater than or less than 6 seconds, and the third duration may be longer than the second duration.

The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a fault indicating lamp, which is electrically connected to the control module, so that the control module controls the fault indicating lamp based on the received fault signal. Specifically, the fault indication light may be electrically connected to the slave control module, so that the main control module controls the fault indication light based on the received fault signal, so as to prompt whether the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is available, that is, whether a fault occurs .

More specifically, the malfunction indicator light may include a green indicator light and a red indicator light. When the green indicator light is on, it means that the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is normal and can be used; when the red indicator light is on, it means that the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is faulty and cannot be used. Alternatively, the fault indicator light may include only one indicator light. When the fault indicator light is green, it means that the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is normal and can be used; when the fault indicator light is red, it means that the current unattended LNG dispenser 100 is faulty and cannot be used.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may further include a pull-break detection sensor, which is electrically connected to the control module for detecting whether the filling gun 110 is pulled and broken, and generates when the filling gun 110 is pulled and broken The fault signal is transmitted to the control module. Specifically, the breakage detection sensor can be electrically connected to prepare a slave control module, so as to transmit the fault signal to the slave control module, and then to the master control module. The main control module can control the fault indicator light based on the received fault signal, and can also automatically interlock, shut down the valve pump, and enter the maintenance state. More specifically, the filling gun 110 has an end interface located at the other end (for example, the upper end), and the pull-off detection sensor may correspond to the position of the end interface of the filling gun 110 and can contact the end interface of the filling gun 110 . The end interface of the filling gun 110 is contacted by sensing, so that when the filling gun 110 is pulled off, the end interface and the breaking detection sensor are no longer in contact.

The unattended LNG dispenser 100 may further include a collision detection sensor, which is electrically connected to the control module for detecting whether the unattended LNG dispenser 100 collides, and when the unattended LNG dispenser 100 collides. 100 The fault signal is generated and transmitted to the control module when a collision occurs. Specifically, the collision detection sensor can be electrically connected to prepare a slave control module, so as to transmit the fault signal to the slave control module, and then to the master control module. The main control module can control the fault indicator light based on the received fault signal, and can also automatically interlock, shut down the valve pump, and enter the maintenance state. More specifically, the unattended LNG dispenser 100 may include a plurality of collision detection sensors, and the plurality of collision detection sensors may be disposed at positions where the unattended LNG dispenser 100 is prone to collision.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may further include an LED display screen 150, and the LED display screen 150 is electrically connected to the control module for displaying the current operation status and transaction processing information. Specifically, the LED display light is electrically connected to the main control module to display information such as the current transaction amount, transaction weight and equivalent value, and at the same time, it can also show the unattended LNG filling machine 100 in the form of images or text. The current operation action, for example, when "Ground" is displayed on the LED display screen 150, indicates that the electrostatic grounding clip needs to be grounded.

The unattended LNG filling machine 100 may further include a power supply module, and the power supply module is used to supply power to each power consumption unit of the unattended LNG filling machine 100 . Specifically, the power module can provide voltages of 3.3V, 5.0V, and 24V to supply power to each power consumption unit, respectively. For example, the power supply module can supply power to the main control module, the slave control module, the fault indication light, the LED display screen 150 and the like.

The autonomous filling process of the unattended LNG filling machine 100 of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. 1 .

After the unattended LNG dispenser 100 is powered on and initialized, the main control module will check the system. If the inspection results are all normal, the green indicator light of the main control module will turn on to indicate the current unattended operation. The LNG dispenser 100 can be used.

Then, before the gas filling starts, it is necessary to use the bank card to swipe the card for pre-authorization on the POS machine. The POS machine transmits the authorization signal to the main control module, and the gas filling can be started at this time. If the electrostatic grounding clip is not properly connected at this time, the electrostatic grounding detection device will detect the electrostatic grounding failure, and transmit the detected electrostatic grounding signal to the main control module. At this time, the LED display screen 150 will display the grounding failure to remind the operator For example, the driver grounds the electrostatic grounding clip. When the electrostatic grounding clip is grounded, the grounding failure prompt on the LED display 150 disappears.

If the pressure in the on-board tank of the vehicle is too high, pressure relief needs to be performed. When the air return gun 120 is lifted and the air return gun detection sensor detects that the air return gun 120 leaves the gun barrel 130, the unattended LNG dispenser 100 enters the return air. model. After the air return is completed, the air return gun 120 is retracted to the gun barrel 130 . Then, the filling gun 110 can be lifted up and inserted into the filling port of the vehicle-mounted tank, and the continuous filling button is pressed. The slave control module controls to open the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas pipeline. Refueling mode.

During the gas filling process, the main control module continuously reads the mass signal transmitted by the mass flow meter to obtain metering information, and calculates the transaction weight and transaction amount to display on the LED display screen 150 . When the gas filling is completed, the main control module forms a transaction record with transaction information such as transaction amount, transaction weight and unit price, stores it at the same time, and transmits the transaction record to the POS machine as a fee signal. Finally, the POS machine completes the deduction and the transaction ends. At this time, an operator such as a driver can release the electrostatic grounding clip and drive away.

When the unattended LNG dispenser 100 is collided, the collision sensor sends a fault signal to the main control module, and the main control module immediately puts the unattended LNG dispenser 100 into an unavailable state, and controls the red indication of the fault indicator light Light.

When the filling gun 110 is pulled off, the breaking sensor sends a fault signal to the main control module, and the main control module immediately puts the unattended LNG filling machine 100 into an unusable state, and the red indicator light of the control fault prompt light is on.

According to the unattended LNG filling machine 100 of the present invention, it is possible to realize the self-service filling of LNG by the driver, and can realize the self-service deduction operation. The filling station does not need special filling personnel and cashier personnel. While ensuring the operation safety, The filling efficiency can be greatly improved, so that fewer personnel are invested and the construction cost of the filling station is reduced.

Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field of this invention. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing a particular implementation only and is not intended to limit the present invention. Terms such as "disposed" appearing herein may mean that one element is directly attached to another element or that one element is attached to another element through an intermediary piece. A feature described herein in one embodiment may be used in another embodiment alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is not applicable in the other embodiment or stated otherwise.

The present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiments, but it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only for the purpose of illustration and description, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the scope of the described embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various variations and modifications can be made according to the teachings of the present invention, which all fall within the scope of the claimed protection of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. The utility model provides an unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi for the on-vehicle jar of giving the vehicle adds gas, a serial communication port, unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi includes:

filling a gun;

the gas transmission pipeline is communicated with the filling gun;

a control module;

the POS machine is electrically connected to the control module and can pre-authorize the bank card and transmit an authorization signal to the control module;

a mass flow meter electrically connected to the control module for detecting the mass of the LNG injected into the on-board tank and transmitting a detected mass signal to the control module; and

an emergency cut-off valve which is arranged on the gas transmission pipeline and is electrically connected to the control module so as to open or close the gas transmission pipeline,

wherein the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to fill gas based on the authorization signal; and is

After gas filling is stopped, the control module generates a charge signal based on the quality signal and transmits the charge signal to the POS machine to finish fee deduction.

2. The unmanned LNG dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a fill gun detection sensor electrically connected to the control module for detecting a position of the fill gun and transmitting a detected fill gun position signal to the control module.

3. The unmanned LNG dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a return air gun and a return air gun detection sensor electrically connected to the control module for detecting a position of the return air gun and transmitting a detected return air gun position signal to the control module.

4. The unattended LNG dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising an electrostatic grounding clamp and an electrostatic grounding detection device, the electrostatic grounding detection device being electrically connected to the control module for detecting a status of the electrostatic grounding clamp and transmitting a detected grounding signal to the control module.

5. The unattended LNG dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a continuous refilling button electrically connected to the control module, wherein the control module controls the emergency shut-off valve to open the gas line for refilling when the continuous refilling button is pressed for a time period exceeding a first time period; when the time for releasing the continuous gas filling button exceeds a second time length, the control module controls the emergency cut-off valve to be closed to stop gas filling.

6. The unmanned LNG dispenser of claim 1, further comprising a fault notification light electrically connected to the control module such that the control module controls the fault notification light based on the received fault signal.

7. The unattended LNG dispenser of claim 1,

the unattended LNG dispenser further comprises a snapping detection sensor which is electrically connected to the control module and used for detecting whether the filling gun is snapped or not, generating the fault signal when the filling gun is snapped and transmitting the fault signal to the control module, and/or

Unmanned on duty LNG adds mechanism of qi still includes the collision detection sensor, the collision detection sensor electricity is connected to control module for be used for detecting whether unmanned on duty LNG adds the mechanism of qi and bumps, and produce when unmanned on duty LNG adds the mechanism of qi and bumps fault signal and transmission give control module.

8. The unattended LNG dispenser according to claim 1, further comprising a power module for powering each power consuming unit of the unattended LNG dispenser.

9. The unmanned LNG dispenser of claim 1, further comprising an LED display screen electrically connected to the control module for displaying current operating status and transaction processing information.

10. The unmanned LNG dispenser of claim 1, wherein the control module comprises a master control module and a slave control module, the master control module and the slave control module being connected via a 485 bus.

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