JP2023131209A - Refueling device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a fueling device capable of maintaining an outlet pressure of a VR pump at a specified value.SOLUTION: A fueling device (100) includes a VR line (1) communicated from a fueling nozzle (6) to a fuel storage tank (5) for returning a vapor generated during fueling to the fuel storage tank (5). A VR pump (2) is interposed in the VR line (1) for sucking, pressurizing, and discharging the vapor. A back pressure adjustment valve (3) having a function for maintaining the pressure on a discharge port side of the VR pump (2) at a set value is interposed in a discharge side region of the VR pump (2) of the VR line (1).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a refueling device, and more particularly, to a technique for preventing vapor generated during refueling from flowing out of the refueling device.

For example, when filling a fuel tank of an automobile with a highly volatile fuel such as gasoline, a large amount of vapor is generated within the fuel tank. If such vapor is released into the atmosphere, it may pose a risk of ignition and may also cause environmental pollution. Therefore, a technique has been proposed for recovering vapor in a fuel tank via a refueling nozzle (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
Further, a vapor recovery system (VR system) has been proposed that recovers vapor to the oil supply device (oil storage tank) side. In such a VR system, the amount of refueling and the amount of vapor recovery should be made equal in order to prevent vapor from being released into the atmosphere during refueling. When there is a large amount of refueling, vapor is released into the atmosphere from the fuel filler port of the vehicle tank, and when a large amount of vapor is collected, vapor is released into the atmosphere from the discharge pipe that connects to the underground tank of the refueling system. be.

Here, the back pressure of the VR system is approximately equal to the pressure inside the underground tank, and the pressure inside the underground tank is determined based on changes in temperature during the day, the amount of refueling used to refuel vehicles etc. using the refueling device, etc. fluctuate. Therefore, the back pressure of the VR system also fluctuates.
However, when the back pressure of the VR system fluctuates, the outlet pressure of the vapor recovery pump (VR pump) in the VR system also fluctuates, and the amount of vapor recovered also fluctuates. Therefore, it is difficult to adjust the amount of oil supply and the amount of vapor recovery to be the same amount. Since the back pressure of the VR system fluctuates, it has been difficult to prevent vapor from being released into the atmosphere in conventional refueling devices using the VR system.
Therefore, in a refueling device having a VR system, it is desirable to keep the outlet pressure of the VR pump constant, but this has not yet been proposed in the prior art.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-219794 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-58341

The present invention was proposed in view of the problems of the prior art described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an oil supply device that can keep the outlet pressure of a VR pump constant.

The refueling device (100) of the present invention includes:
It has a vapor recovery line (1: VR line) that communicates from the refueling nozzle (6) to the oil storage tank (5) in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank (5),
The vapor recovery line (1) is equipped with a vapor recovery pump (2: VR pump) that sucks in (pressurizes) and discharges vapor,
In the region of the vapor recovery pump (2) on the discharge side of the vapor recovery line (1), there is a back pressure adjustment (e.g. mechanical) having the function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge side of the vapor recovery pump (2) at a set value. It is characterized by being equipped with a valve (3).

Further, the oil supply device (100-1) of the present invention includes:
It has a vapor recovery line (1-1: VR line) that communicates from the refueling nozzle (6) to the oil storage tank (5) in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank (5),
The vapor recovery line (1-1) is equipped with a vapor recovery pump (2: VR pump) that sucks in (pressurizes) and discharges vapor.
Measure the pressure in the region (the region on the vapor recovery pump 2 discharge side of the vapor recovery line 1-1) and apply the measured pressure to the region on the vapor recovery pump (2) discharge side of the vapor recovery line (1-1). A pressure sensor (7: or pressure switch) having a function of transmitting data to the control device (10) is installed,
The control device (10) has a function of determining the rotation speed of the vapor recovery pump (2) based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor (7) so that the amount of refueling and the amount of vapor recovery are equal. It is characterized by

Furthermore, the oil supply device (100-2) of the present invention includes:
It has a vapor recovery line (1-2: VR line) that communicates from the refueling nozzle (6) to the oil storage tank (5) in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank (5),
The vapor recovery line (1-2) is equipped with a vapor recovery pump (2: VR pump) that sucks in (pressurizes) and discharges vapor.
A back pressure (e.g., mechanical) that has the function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump (2) at a set value is installed in the region of the vapor recovery pump (2) discharge side of the vapor recovery line (1-2). A regulating valve (3) is installed,
Measure the pressure in the area (the area on the outlet side of the back pressure adjustment valve 3 of the vapor recovery line 1-2) in the area on the exit side of the back pressure adjustment valve (3) of the vapor recovery line (1-2), and A pressure sensor (7: or pressure switch) having a function of transmitting the measured pressure to the control device (10) is installed,
The control device (10) is configured such that the pressure (back pressure of the VR system) in a region on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve (3) of the vapor recovery line (1-2) is controlled by the vapor recovery line (1-2) in the back pressure regulating valve (3). If the pressure on the discharge port side of the recovery pump (2) exceeds the pressure that cannot be maintained at the set value (the back pressure of the VR system cannot maintain the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure adjustment valve 3 at the set value) It is characterized in that it has a function of activating a warning means and/or stopping the refueling operation if the pressure exceeds the pressure.

According to the present invention having the above configuration, since the back pressure regulating valve (3) is interposed on the VR pump (2) discharge side of the VR line (1), the pressure on the inlet side of the VR pump (2) is Even if the suction pressure of the VR pump 2 (that is, the suction pressure of the VR pump 2) and the back pressure of the VR system fluctuate, the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve (3) or the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump (2) will always be the set pressure. Become. Therefore, when refueling, for example, the vehicle (C) using the refueling device (100) of the present invention, the amount of refueling and the amount of vapor collected are the same, and the vapor is released into the atmosphere from the refueling port of the tank (not shown) of the vehicle C. This also prevents vapor from being discharged into the atmosphere from the discharge pipe (8).

Furthermore, in the present invention, instead of installing the back pressure regulating valve (3), the back pressure of the VR system (20-1) (pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2) is controlled by a pressure sensor (7: or pressure switch). If the configuration is configured to measure (10) and controls the rotation speed of the VR pump (2) (by controlling the pump drive motor 9) in response to the back pressure of the VR system (20-1) measured by the pressure sensor (7). You can. Thereby, the amount of vapor suction by the VR pump (2) can be stably controlled. As a result, it becomes possible to control the amount of refueling and the amount of vapor recovered to be the same, which prevents vapor from being released into the atmosphere from the fuel filler port of the tank (not shown) of vehicle C, and the release pipe (8). ) can prevent vapor from being released into the atmosphere.

Furthermore, in the present invention, in addition to installing the back pressure regulating valve (3), the back pressure of the VR system (20-2) (on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is controlled by the pressure sensor (7: or pressure switch). pressure), the pressure sensor (7) will detect an abnormal situation in which the back pressure of the VR system (20-2) exceeds the adjustment range of the back pressure adjustment valve (3), and the abnormality will be detected. When a situation occurs, a warning can be displayed to the operator or fuel supply can be stopped. Therefore, if the back pressure of the VR system (20-2) increases abnormally and the discharge pressure of the VR pump (2) exceeds the permissible range, a warning is given to the operator or a refueling operation is performed. It is possible to stop the engine and make the operator immediately aware of the abnormality, or to immediately forcibly terminate refueling in an abnormal situation. This further improves the safety of refueling operations.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a front sectional view showing an example of a back pressure adjustment valve used in a 1st embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the back pressure regulating valve and vapor recovery pump of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing the characteristics of the inlet side pressure and the outlet side pressure of the back pressure regulating valve. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows control in a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. It is a flow chart which shows control in a 3rd embodiment.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
In FIG. 1 showing the overall configuration of the first embodiment, the oil supply device, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 100, includes a VR line 1 (vapor recovery line), a VR pump 2 (vapor recovery pump), a pump drive motor 9, and a backrest. It includes a pressure regulating valve 3, an oil storage tank 5, an oil supply nozzle 6, a control device 10 described later, and a VR system 20 (vapor recovery system).
The VR line 1 communicates from the refueling nozzle 6 to the oil storage tank 5 in order to return vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank 5. The VR line 1 is provided with a VR pump 2 and a back pressure regulating valve 3. In FIG. 1, the flow of vapor is indicated by an arrow V.
The VR pump 2 has a function of sucking vapor from the fuel supply nozzle 6 side, pressurizing it, and discharging it. The back pressure regulating valve 3 is interposed in a region of the VR line 1 on the discharge side of the VR pump 2, and has a function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 at a set value. Here, the VR pump 2 is driven by a pump drive motor 9.

The refueling device 100 has a refueling line 31 that communicates from the refueling tank 5 to the refueling nozzle 6 in order to refuel a fuel tank (not shown) of the vehicle C. A refueling pump 32 and a flow meter 34 are connected to the refueling line 31. equipped. The refueling pump 32 is driven by a refueling motor 33. The direction in which fuel flows in the fuel supply line 31 is indicated by an arrow F.
The refueling device 100 also includes a discharge pipe 8 for discharging vapor into the atmosphere when a large amount of vapor is recovered.
The refueling device 100 includes a control device 10 that performs refueling control and control of the VR system 20.
Regarding oil supply control, the control device 10 receives a measured flow rate from the flow meter 34 via a signal line SL1, and transmits a control signal to the oil supply motor 33 via a signal line SL2. Furthermore, regarding the control of the VR system 20, a control signal is transmitted to the pump drive motor 9 via the signal line SL3. Information such as the amount of refueling, emergency warning information, and others provided by the control device 10 are displayed on the display 11.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 indicates a nozzle switch, and reference numeral 13 indicates a nozzle hook.

In FIG. 1, the VR pump 2 uses a positive displacement rotary pump.
A vane pump, which is an example of a positive displacement rotary pump, has a clearance on the side (due to the rotation of the rotor). Gas leaks from the high pressure side (discharge side) to the low pressure side (suction side) via the clearance. That is, if there is no leakage from the rotor top (clearance on the end face side) (if there is no clearance at the rotor top), the rotor will not rotate. In the first embodiment, a back pressure regulating valve 3 is installed as a countermeasure against the case where the discharge amount decreases and the pressure at the pump outlet decreases due to the above-mentioned leakage.

On the other hand, in the case of a pump that is not a rotary pump, for example, a reciprocating piston pump, there is no leakage as in the vane pump described above, and there is no need to consider the drop in pressure on the pump outlet side due to such leakage.
Furthermore, there may be regulations that the Air (vapor)/Liquid (gasoline) ratio (A/L ratio) at the tip of the filling nozzle is within the range of 98 to 102 over the entire gasoline flow rate. A reciprocating piston pump has pulsation, and when the flow rate during refueling is small, the pulsation causes a user to feel discomfort.
On the other hand, rotary pumps are controlled by the rotation speed of the pump drive motor, so if the rotation speed is lowered, suction can be performed with less pulsation, so even a small flow rate can be inhaled continuously.
Based on the above reasons, a rotary pump is selected as the VR pump 2 in the illustrated embodiment. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a vane pump, which is structurally simple and versatile, is selected as the positive displacement rotary pump.
However, it is also possible to use, for example, a trochoid pump, a rotary pump, etc. as a positive displacement rotary pump other than a vane pump.
Furthermore, it is also possible to use a reciprocating piston pump by providing a valve that can control not only the rotational speed but also the A/L ratio.

Details of the back pressure regulating valve 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.
In FIG. 2, the back pressure regulating valve 3 constitutes a mechanical valve, which includes a main body portion 3A, an inlet portion 3B, an outlet portion 3C, a primary pressure chamber 3D, a secondary pressure chamber 3E, a diaphragm 3F, a spring 3G, and a pressure It has an adjustment screw 3H and an atmospheric pressure introduction hole 3I.
The inlet portion 3B communicates with the discharge port of the VR pump 2 (FIG. 1) via the VR line 1 (FIG. 1), and the outlet portion 3C communicates with the oil storage tank 5 (FIG. 1) via the VR line 1. . A protrusion 3J that protrudes upward in FIG. 2 is formed near the center of the main body 3A of the back pressure regulating valve 3, and the upper end of the protrusion 3J constitutes a valve seat 3K. The stem portion 3L integrally formed with the diaphragm 3F functions as a valve body, and together with the valve seat 3K of the protruding portion 3J constitutes a valve mechanism 3M. In FIG. 2, the direction of the flow of fluid (fuel) in the back pressure regulating valve 3 is indicated by an arrow A1 on the inflow side and an arrow A2 on the outflow side.
The back pressure adjustment valve 3 adjusts the elastic repulsive force of the spring 3G by adjusting the pressure adjustment screw 3H (screwing amount), thereby adjusting the force that presses the diaphragm 3F and stem 3L against the valve seat 3K. You can. Thereby, when the fluid in the primary pressure chamber 3D exceeds a predetermined pressure setting value, it passes through the valve mechanism 3M, flows into the secondary pressure chamber 3E, and flows into the outlet section 3C of the back pressure regulating valve 3. from there to the oil storage tank 5 side (arrow A2). With this configuration, the pressure of the fluid (fuel) in the primary pressure chamber 3D (suction side pressure: pressure in the region on the VR pump 2 side) can always be maintained at a predetermined set value.
Note that the pressure inside the oil storage tank 5 is expected to fluctuate due to temperature differences and the use of a refueling device (refueling a vehicle, etc.), so the discharge pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3 is equal to the pressure inside the oil storage tank 5. Although not the same, they are approximately equal.

The back pressure regulating valve 3 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in a region on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 (vapor recovery pump) in the VR line 1 (vapor recovery line) (see FIGS. 1 and 3).
In FIG. 3, the inlet portion 2A of the VR pump 2 communicates with the refueling nozzle 6 side (FIG. 1), and the outlet portion 2B communicates with the inlet portion 3B of the back pressure regulating valve 3. The outlet portion 3C communicates with the oil storage tank 5 (FIG. 1). In FIG. 3, the direction of fluid (fuel) flow is indicated by arrow A.
By interposing the back pressure regulating valve 3 on the discharge side (outlet side) of the VR pump 2 of the VR line 1, the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 is The pressure (or the holding pressure of the fluid in the primary pressure chamber 3D of the back pressure regulating valve 3: see FIG. 2) is maintained at the set value.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (i.e., the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2) and the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (i.e., the pressure on the back pressure side of the VR system 20). The relationship between pressure and pressure will be explained. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the back pressure of the VR system 20 (in the illustrated embodiment, the outlet pressure of the back pressure regulating valve), and the vertical axis indicates the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (in the illustrated embodiment, the back pressure (inlet pressure of the regulating valve).
First, when a back pressure regulating valve is not installed (in the case of conventional technology), the relationship between the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump and the back pressure of the VR system is shown by characteristic line B in Fig. 4 (2). There will be a similar relationship.
According to characteristic line B in FIG. 4(2), as the back pressure of the VR system 20 fluctuates (increases), the pressure on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 gradually fluctuates (increases). Here, the back pressure of the VR system 20 is the pressure inside the oil storage tank 5, and the pressure inside the oil storage tank 5 may vary depending on the temperature difference between morning and noon or the use of a refueling device (refueling a vehicle, etc.). The oil level changes as the oil level falls, and the back pressure of the VR system 20 also changes. Note that the symbol α in FIG. 4 (2) indicates the boundary of the range in which the outlet pressure of the VR pump (the inlet pressure of the back pressure adjustment valve) does not exceed the set value in FIG. 4 (1), which will be described later. It is also displayed in FIG. 4(2).
As is clear from the characteristic line B (characteristic line in the conventional VR system) in FIG. Therefore, the amount of vapor recovered from the fuel nozzle 6 side also varies. Therefore, it is difficult to make the amount of refueling and the amount of vapor collected equal to each other, and it is also difficult to prevent the vapor being refueled from being released into the atmosphere.

FIG. 4(1) shows the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (that is, the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2) and the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (that is, the pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2) in the illustrated embodiment. The relationship with the back pressure of the system 20 is shown by characteristic line A.
As shown by the characteristic line A in FIG. 4 (1), the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3, that is, the back pressure of the VR system 20, does not exceed the allowable range (region to the left of the symbol α in FIG. 4). ), the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3, that is, the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2, is always maintained at a predetermined set value. The broken characteristic lines shown in addition to the characteristic line A are virtual lines of the above relationship in the case where the back pressure regulating valve 3 is not provided.
According to the illustrated embodiment having the characteristic shown by the characteristic line A in FIG. Since the pressure on the side (or the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is always the set pressure, the amount of vapor recovery can be easily and accurately adjusted, so the amount of oil supplied and the amount of vapor recovery should be the same. is possible. Therefore, the amount of fuel supplied is prevented from becoming larger than the amount of recovered vapor, and vapor is prevented from being released into the atmosphere from the fuel filler port of the vehicle tank. The amount of vapor recovered is also prevented from becoming larger than the amount of oil supplied, and vapor is also prevented from being released into the atmosphere from the discharge pipe 8.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.
In the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1 to 4), a back pressure regulating valve 3 is provided on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 to keep the outlet pressure of the VR pump 2 constant, but in the second embodiment shown in FIG. No back pressure regulating valve is provided.
In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5, no back pressure regulating valve is provided as described above. In the second embodiment, a pressure sensor 7 is installed in a region of the VR line 1-1 on the discharge side of the VR pump 2, and the back pressure of the VR system 20-1 (pressure on the discharge side of the VR pump 2) is monitored. , transmits the measurement results of the pressure sensor 7 to the control device 10. The control device 10 has a function of controlling the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 in accordance with the back pressure of the VR system 20-1 measured by the pressure sensor 7, and thereby prevents vapor from flowing from the refueling nozzle 6 side. The amount of suction is stably controlled.
In the description of the second embodiment with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration and effects different from those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 will be mainly explained. In this case, the same components as in the first embodiment (VR pump 2, oil storage tank 5, oil supply nozzle 6, control device 10, etc.) will be described with the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 5, the refueling device according to the second embodiment, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 100-1, includes a VR line 1-1 communicating from the refueling nozzle 6 to the oil storage tank 5, and a refueling line 1-1 communicating from the oil storage tank 5 to the refueling nozzle 6. It includes a line 31, a discharge pipe 8 for discharging vapor into the atmosphere, and a control device 10 for performing refueling control and other controls. The oil supply line 31 and discharge pipe in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, including the equipment installed therein.
Similar to the first embodiment, a VR pump 2 is installed in the VR line 1-1 to suck in vapor, pressurize it, and discharge it. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pressure sensor 7 (or pressure switch) is interposed in a region of the VR line 1-1 on the discharge side of the VR pump 2. The pressure sensor 7 has a function of measuring the pressure in the discharge side region of the VR pump 2 in the VR line 1-1 (that is, the back pressure of the VR system 20-1), and transmits the measurement result to the control device via the signal line SL4. 10.

In the second embodiment, the control device 10 has a function of controlling the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 based on, for example, the "back pressure of the VR system - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic (characteristic stored in advance). have. That is, the control device 10 calculates the "back pressure of the VR system - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" from the pressure in the discharge side region of the VR pump 2 (back pressure of the VR system 20-1) measured by the pressure sensor 7. Based on the characteristics, it has a function of determining the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 so that the amount of oil supply and the amount of vapor recovery are equal. The control device 10 has a function of transmitting a control signal to the pump drive motor 9 via the signal line SL3 to control the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 to a rotation speed at which the amount of oil supplied and the amount of vapor recovery are equal. ing. With this function of the control device 10, the amount of vapor suction by the VR pump 2 can be controlled stably so that the amount of oil supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal.
Here, instead of the above characteristics, the pressure in the discharge side area of the VR pump 2 measured by the pressure sensor 7 (VR system The control device 10 can also calculate the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 based on the back pressure (back pressure 20-1) and control the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 to a rotation speed at which the amount of oil supply and the amount of vapor recovery are equal.

Control in the second embodiment will be explained mainly with reference to FIG. 6.
In FIG. 6, in step S1, the pressure in the region of the VR line 1-1 on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 is measured. The pressure measurement in step S1 is performed by the pressure sensor 7, and the measurement result is transmitted to the control device 10 via the signal line SL4.
In step S2, based on the pressure in the discharge side region of the VR pump 2 measured in step S1 (back pressure of the VR system 20-1), the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 that matches the measured pressure is determined. . As mentioned above, the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 is determined by taking into consideration the predetermined "back pressure of the VR system - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic, so that the amount of oil supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal. The rotation speed of the VR pump 2 is determined so that Then, the process advances to step S3. In step S2, instead of storing the "back pressure of the VR system - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic, the control device 10 calculates the rotation of the VR pump 2 using an arithmetic expression corresponding to the characteristic. You may decide on the number.

In step S3, the VR pump 2 is controlled to operate at the rotation speed determined in step S2. Then, the process returns to step S1 to continue the control.
In FIG. 6, when the control is to be terminated, it is sufficient to terminate the control without returning to step S3.
The other configurations and effects of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
The third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 includes the back pressure regulating valve 3 in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4), and the same pressure sensor 7 as in the second embodiment (FIGS. 5 and 6). (or a pressure switch) is interposed in the region of the VR line 1-2 on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3.
The third embodiment shown in FIG. 7 has a back pressure regulating valve 3 like the first embodiment, but the pressure sensor 7 detects the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (at the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3). If the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 exceeds the adjustment range of the back pressure adjustment valve 3, the pressure sensor 7 detects this and displays a warning to the refueling person. or stop refueling.
In the following description of the third embodiment, configurations and operations that are different from those of the first and second embodiments will be mainly described. In this case, the same components as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment (VR pump 2, back pressure regulating valve 3, oil storage tank 5, oil supply nozzle 6, sensor 7, control device 10, etc.) are given the same symbols. and explain.

In FIG. 7, a refueling apparatus according to a third embodiment, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 100-2, includes a VR line 1-2 that communicates from a refueling nozzle 6 to an oil storage tank 5, and a refueling system that communicates from an oil storage tank 5 to the refueling nozzle 6. It includes a line 31, a discharge pipe 8 for discharging vapor into the atmosphere, and a control device 10 for controlling refueling and the like. The oil supply line 31, discharge pipe 8, etc. in the third embodiment, including their intervening members, are the same as those in the first and second embodiments.
A VR pump 2 is installed in the VR line 1-2, as in the first and second embodiments. In the area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 of the VR line 1-2, as in the first embodiment, a mechanical back pressure is provided which has a function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 at a set value. A regulating valve 3 is interposed.
In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a pressure sensor 7 (or a pressure switch) is interposed in a region of the VR line 1-2 on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3. The pressure sensor 7 measures the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 of the VR line 1-2 (back pressure of the VR system 20-2), and transmits the pressure measurement result via the line SL4. It has a function of transmitting the information to the control device 10.

In FIG. 7, when the pressure in the region on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-2) exceeds the allowable range, the back pressure regulating valve 3 The pressure on the inlet side of the pressure regulating valve 3) cannot be maintained at the set value, and the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) becomes higher than the set value. .
In other words, the allowable range of the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-2) is determined by the back pressure regulating valve 3. 3) can be maintained at the set value, and this allowable range is determined in advance and stored in the control device 10.
The control device 10 compares the measurement result of the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (back pressure of the VR system 20-2) acquired from the pressure sensor 7 with the "tolerable range", and controls the back pressure regulating valve 3. The pressure in the area on the outlet side of VR pump 2 (back pressure of VR system 20-2) is outside the above-mentioned allowable range, and the pressure in the area on the outlet side of VR pump 2 (pressure on the inlet side of back pressure regulating valve 3) is outside the above-mentioned allowable range. ) is no longer able to be maintained at the set value, it has a function of activating a warning means (not shown) and/or stopping the refueling operation.
On the other hand, if the pressure measurement result is within the allowable range, the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is maintained at the set value so that the amount of oil supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal. The refueling operation is continued while controlling the rotation speed of the VR pump 2.

Control in the third embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 8.
In FIG. 8, in step S11, the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is measured in the VR line 1-2. Measurement is performed by pressure sensor 7, and the measurement result of pressure sensor 7 is transmitted to control device 10 via signal line SL4.
In step S12, the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 measured in step S11 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is compared with an allowable range stored in the control device 10 in advance. As mentioned above, the allowable range of the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 is such that the pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2 (the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure adjustment valve 3) can be maintained at the set value by the back pressure adjustment valve 3. This is the range of back pressure (of the VR system 20-2).
As a result of the comparison in step S12, if the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) exceeds the allowable range (if it is larger than the upper limit of the allowable range: step S12 is "Yes ”), the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is within the allowable range (if it is below the upper limit of the allowable range: "No" in step S12), step S11 Return to
The comparison in step S12 is performed by the control device 10.

In step S13 ("Yes" in step S12: when it is determined that the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure adjustment valve 3) exceeds the allowable range), the amount of oil supplied and the vapor recovery are determined. If it is determined that it is difficult to keep the same amount of fuel and there is a risk that the vapor being refueled may be released into the atmosphere, a warning means (not shown) is activated to issue a warning to the refueler. At this time, instead of or in addition to the warning, the refueling device 100-2 can be controlled to stop the refueling operation. The control device 10 executes the warning and/or the control to stop the refueling operation.
Note that if the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is within the allowable range ("No" in step S12), the process returns to step S11, and the VR pump 2 The pressure on the discharge port side (the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure adjustment valve 3) is maintained at the set value, and the refueling operation is continued while controlling the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 so that the amount of refueling and the amount of vapor recovery are equal. do.
The other configurations and effects of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

It should be noted that the illustrated embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention.

1, 1-1, 1-2...VR line (vapor recovery line)
2...VR pump (vapor recovery pump)
3... Back pressure adjustment valve 5... Oil storage tank 6... Oil supply nozzle 7... Pressure sensor 8... Discharge pipe 10... Control device 20, 20-1, 20-2... VR system (vapor recovery system)
100, 100-1, 100-2... Oil supply device

Claims (3)

It has a vapor recovery line that communicates from the refueling nozzle to the oil storage tank in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank.
The vapor recovery line is equipped with a vapor recovery pump that sucks in and discharges vapor.
A refueling device characterized in that a back pressure regulating valve having a function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump at a set value is interposed in a region on the vapor recovery pump discharge side of the vapor recovery line. It has a vapor recovery line that communicates from the refueling nozzle to the oil storage tank in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank.
The vapor recovery line is equipped with a vapor recovery pump that sucks in and discharges vapor.
A pressure sensor is installed in a region of the vapor recovery pump discharge side of the vapor recovery line, which has a function of measuring the pressure in the region and transmitting the measured pressure to the control device,
The oil supply device, wherein the control device has a function of determining the rotation speed of the vapor recovery pump based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor so that the amount of oil supplied and the amount of vapor recovery are equal. It has a vapor recovery line that communicates from the refueling nozzle to the oil storage tank in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the oil storage tank.
The vapor recovery line is equipped with a vapor recovery pump that sucks in and discharges vapor.
A back pressure regulating valve that has a function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump at a set value is installed in the region on the vapor recovery pump discharge side of the vapor recovery line,
A pressure sensor is installed in the region on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve of the vapor recovery line, which has the function of measuring the pressure in the region and transmitting the measured pressure to the control device,
The control device is configured such that the pressure in the region on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve of the vapor recovery line exceeds a pressure at which the back pressure regulating valve cannot maintain the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump at a set value. 1. A refueling device characterized by having a function of activating a warning means and/or stopping refueling operation when the above occurs.

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