EP1354847B1 - Refuelling method, device and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting or identifying at least one product by a product identifier (2) in or for each product line (4) between a stationary tank (8,14,16,19) and a chamber (9,13,15,18) of a mobile tank (10). The identification or detection of the at least one product is acquired and evaluated by a controller (12) and a valve (11) for passing the product from the stationary tank to a chamber in the mobile tank is opened or closed accordingly. Independent claims are also included for the following: a refueling system and a refueling device.

Description

The invention relates to refueling methods, systems and devices according to the preambles of claims 1, 8 and 14 (from FR 2 726 910 A known). In particular, the invention relates to methods, apparatus and systems for reducing or avoiding mixing of liquids as they are being transferred from one tank to another.

For example, in the delivery of petroleum products with multi-chamber tanker at gas stations, it always comes back to unintentional mixing of different fuel products together. Such blends have at least a negative impact on the quality of the later fueled products in motor vehicles, but can also result in costly engine damage to users' stock vehicles or even dangerous explosion hazards in any tank. The latter consequences are particularly threatening in the mixture of petrol and diesel fuels (OK / DK), while the mixing of the different petrol grades is less problematic.

In order to avoid such risks, as has been experienced in practice, especially in Germany very elaborate systems have been developed. These detect by means of electronic "tags", so-called "TAGs", at connections of floor tanks via a conductive designed product hose, to which floor tank of a gas station a filling hose from a delivery vehicle is connected in order to minimize the risk of mixing. At the same time, other requirements are met, such as Securing against hose breakage (ASS) and against overfilling (AS) and interchanging the filling safety cables and ensuring the correct connection of the vapor recovery hose (GPÜ).

However, these systems are very costly as a result of this effort and are for this reason neither for use abroad in question, nor are they accepted by all petrol station operators in Germany. Another problem is that the reliability of the system depends on the fact that the filling stations are equipped with suitable identifiers or TAGs. This is not yet the case everywhere in Germany. There are Magnetically coded loading arms for filling tank trucks, whose reliability often leaves something to be desired due to mechanical wear. A distinction between the only tax-different products heating oil and diesel is even not provided.

Another reason for the occurrence of mixing is the time pressure, especially in the delivery of products from tank trucks to the gas stations: In the meantime, systems are in use here that allow up to three or even four simultaneous deliveries of various fuel products. By nature, the likelihood of error compared to the previously customary delivery of only one or at most two products increases significantly.

It is an object of the present invention to reduce the risk of mixing different liquids from one tank to another.

This object is achieved with refueling methods, systems and apparatus according to claims 1, 8 and 14, respectively.

In particular, this minimizes and preferably even prevents mixing when transferring liquids.

In addition to achieving the desired objectives are also advantageous in the present invention, that compared to the prior art cheaper solution for the most pressing problems while maintaining maximum compatibility with the existing systems and the consistency of the system can be achieved since errors in both loading and can also occur during unloading, which can then lead to mixing. Further, it is advantageous to be able to offer with the present invention, several upward-compatible expansion stages in the form of a modular system, so as to take into account the different security needs.

Further design possibilities of the invention in the form of devices and systems result from the analogous application of the methods and more precisely by the use of corresponding devices and systems, which thus result from the methods or can be derived or in the device-moderate implementation of the method features.

Preferred and advantageous embodiments and further developments of the refueling method according to the invention are
that the product identification takes place by means of a product sensor, and / or
that the detection or identification of the at least one product is transmitted by radio transmission to the controller, and / or
the detection or identification takes place in such a way that initially only a small amount of product is dispensed and this amount of suitable sensors in the transfer line or in the tank to be filled is subsequently detected, and / or
overfilling is monitored / prevented, and / or
that devices are provided for in particular continuous Umfüllmengenmessung and / or tank / Kammerinhaltsmessung, and / or
the detection or identification is done by measuring the density of the product or a density-dependent physical property.

In the system according to the invention it is preferred and advantageous
if the means for detecting or identifying at least one product contain at least one product sensor, and / or
if the means are designed to detect or identify at least one product for measuring the density of the product or a density-dependent physical property, and / or
if the means for detecting or identifying at least one product are transportable and preferably integrated into a coupling within the product line between the stationary tank and the chamber of the mobile tank, and / or
if the coupling between the devices for the detection or identification of at least one product and the control over the product line between the stationary tank and the chamber of the mobile tank or by radio data transmission is realized,
and or
if an overfill protection is provided, and / or
if devices for Umfüllmengenmessung and / or tank / Kammerinhaltsmessung provided and coupled to the controller.

Device-preferred and advantageous developments of the invention exist
in this,
the product recognition or identification means comprise at least one product sensor, and / or
that the product recognition or identification devices are designed to measure the density of the product or a density-dependent physical property,
and or
that an overfill protection is provided, and / or
that devices for Umfüllmengenmessung and / or tank / Kammerinhaltsmessung included and are coupled to the controller.

Other advantageous or advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the claims, including the dependent claims and their combinations, and from the entire available documentation.

• Fig. 1 schematisch den Aufbau eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Betankungssystems,
• Fig. 2 schematisch eine Einzelheit des ersten Ausführungsbeispiels des Betankungssystems gemäss Fig. 1, und
• Fig. 3 schematisch den Aufbau eines zweiten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Betankungssystems.

The invention will now be described by way of example and by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only. In the drawing show:

• Fig. 1 FIG. 2 schematically the construction of a first exemplary embodiment of a refueling system, FIG.
• Fig. 2 schematically a detail of the first embodiment of the refueling system according to Fig. 1 , and
• Fig. 3 schematically the structure of a second embodiment of a refueling system.

The same reference numerals in the individual figures and illustrations of the drawings designate the same or similar or identical or similar components. On the basis of the representations in the drawing, those features are also clear, which are not provided with reference numerals, regardless of whether such features are described below or not. On the other hand, features that are included in the present description but are not visible or illustrated in the drawing will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Individual features that are indicated and / or illustrated in connection with specific embodiments are not limited to these embodiments or the combination with the other features of these embodiments, but may in the context of the technically possible, with any other variants, even if they in the documents are not treated separately.

First, individual elements or building blocks for methods, devices and systems will be explained, the overall presentation of which is easier to understand afterwards. Without limitation, the invention will be explained with reference to examples in the fuel supply of gas stations.

Building blocks for the tanker basic equipment

A tanker usually has several chambers in which the same or different fuels can be transported. Accordingly, the fillings and charges of the tanker vehicle refueling in the context of the invention. Both at the loading stations of the tanker vehicles, as well as at the filling stations, which are supplied by the tanker vehicles, there are / for different fuel types respective tanks whose proper connection to corresponding chambers of tank trucks is to ensure.

Basically, on the vehicle side, an electropneumatic control is of particular advantage, since in particular the desired safety against incorrect operation can therefore be achieved. Compared to the purely pneumatic control, this electro-pneumatic control offers the advantage of higher operational reliability and better user guidance. The control must act on at least one valve in the discharge path of each chamber (bottom valve or one-way valve).

Furthermore, it would be sufficient in principle for most functions, if the system would control the entire control air supply via a central solenoid valve. In that case, however, it would be necessary to provide feedback for each control operation, e.g. in the form of a pressure switch to install. In this form of "monitoring" or "monitoring" but then any error or any incorrect operation would mean that even current charges, in which no error is made or occurs, would be interrupted. Therefore, the equipment with a separately switchable valve per tank chamber is preferred. This also eliminates the error-prone and in terms of logical connectivity less flexible pneumatic control blocks.

The operation is preferably carried out via simple buttons that can be supplemented if necessary by a display on which instructions for the operator can be displayed.

Registration of the products loaded by the tanker

At least one, or possibly a combination of several, of the following ways of detecting the charged products may be used to inform the central controller of the product loaded in each chamber.

Manual input via keyboard: If an operating unit is located on the loading side, ie the discharge side when filling the chambers of the tanker, the product filled in a chamber can be entered during loading, eg in a kind of menu selection.

Manual input via selector switch: A simple and therefore inexpensive switch, which can be mounted above each filling coupling on the loading side, ie the delivery side when filling the chambers of the tanker, can be adjusted very quickly the loaded product. If necessary, the switch can be combined with a color or shape coding and thus be similarly configured for the "markers" or TAGs frequently used for this purpose.

Magnetic code sensor: Especially in Germany, most loading arms are magnetically coded and thus enable the automatic detection of the charged product already during loading.

Electronic Code Reader: To read the identifier of the transmitter mounted on the loading arm or receiver tank at a gas station, an electronic device (PRD = Product Recognition Device) is used which can decode the current-modulated signals of these donors. This device or reader can be used both in loading and in the delivery or delivery of products, for example, to read in via the delivery hose product coding for the receiver tank. To make an electrical connection via the delivery hose (or the loading arm), the corresponding port (API coupling, hose coupling) must be electrically insulated from the chassis of the vehicle.

Autonomous product sensor : By means of a density sensor, eg based on ultrasound, a distinction can at least be made between petrol and diesel fuels. If such a sensor mounted in the line below each chamber, so this allows the detection of the product without any action by the operator and without any device on the loading platform, so when dispensing from a or filling in a tanker. In addition, this sensor allows the detection of the complete release of the contents of a chamber and thus protects against manipulation or unauthorized removal of product at the expense of the customer, operator or client.

Mobile electronic dipstick: If each individual tank chamber of the vehicle is equipped with an electronic direction finder, it can also provide information about the type of product in addition to its actual task of level measurement. Not only quality control, but also detailed quantity tracking is possible.

Short-range radio data transmission : If the loading or filling station has a device which transmits the products (and quantities) delivered via the individual loading arms online to the tanker via radio transmission, the loading schedule is received on the vehicle via this interface and is then available there. Preferably, this should be done standardizing the interfaces.

Detection of the product in the receiver tank

Code reader (PRD): If the connection to the receiver tank is equipped with a Product Identification Device (PID), a circuit is formed between the vehicle and the receiver tank via a conductive product delivery hose . The PID modulates the power in this circuit and encodes information about the product as well as optional other data (code for the gas station, etc.) for the PRD on the vehicle.

Mobile encoder of a PID: The PID need not always be firmly installed in the pipe system at the gas station (receiver tanks), but could also be carried as a portable adapter for the coupling between the delivery hose of the tanker and filling connection of the tanks at gas stations on the vehicle.

Magnetic code reader: Similar to the loading side, there is also product coding by means of magnets for dispensing from the vehicle to petrol station tanks. However, this coding does not take place directly on the filling coupling, but only, for example, in a plug, such as the plug of the legally required in Germany Abfüllsicherung. If this coding is to be used, an additional assignment between this plug and the corresponding hose connection must be made.

Short-range data radio: A wireless data interface allows information to be requested, for example, about the filling level in the gas station's floor tanks. This query can be done not only before and after, but also during delivery, so continuously. Under certain circumstances, for example, product recognition would be detected by the detection of misalignments based on the detection of a level change in a wrong tank Allow mixing to occur. Although the product then contaminated would have to be disposed of costly in such a case, the much higher consequential costs for engine damage etc. but could be avoided by the timely detection and immediate blocking of the sale of this tank.

Other elements or building blocks

Electronic overfill prevention: In Germany and a few other European countries, the equipment of all tanks with thermistor limit switches (PTC thermistors) is required by law. The release may only be carried out on the vehicle if the "overfill protection amplifier" installed there is connected to a non-product-wetted thermistor and, if more than one product is currently being delivered, this limit switch has been assigned to a specific product hose via a separate circuit.

Gas Suspension Sensor : With a sensor built into the vehicle vapor return line, which must be able to determine not only a gas flow, but also the density or other physical property of the gas with which the gas is distinguishable from fresh air Only in Germany prescribed monitoring of the correct connection of the gas displacement line to be carried out independently on the vehicle. Such sensors can be realized in various technologies, for example as thermal sensors based on the hot-wire principle or based on the principle of sound transit time measurement.

Radio-controlled, portable electronic overfill protection: The cables required for the overfill protection are particularly problematic when delivering several products at the same time, because they could be interchanged. The measures with which then the correct assignment must be ensured, are very complex and therefore expensive. This problem can be solved via a portable unit that monitors the condition of the thermistor sensors and, if necessary, other data such as Fill levels and / or codes for the products to the on-board control.

Radio-controlled electronic group-fill-fuse without assignment: If, for example, it is ensured by interrogating the tank contents or otherwise that overfilling can not occur at all, then the effort for assigning the filling fuses to the product hoses can be completely eliminated. Instead, it would be sufficient to interrogate all limiters together and to immediately interrupt all ongoing charges when responding to a single backup. The number of sensors to be connected would either have to be determined separately, or it would be a maximum number set by sensors and installed at gas stations with fewer sensors for the non-existing tanks dummy sensors.

Radio transmitter for requesting the electronic tank content measurement : If the equipment of gas station side in many cases already installed tank content measuring systems with a tenfunkschnittstelle eg for cost reasons out of the question, this query can also be done via a portable transmitter on the vehicle, the driver before the start of the delivery a plug to be installed for this purpose is connected. In countries where no separate limit value transmitter is required, an effective yet very cost-effective overfill protection could be realized via this interface.

Building blocks or elements for the filling station

Loading arm coding with magnets: Two magnets are mounted on the side of the loading arm coupling for connection to the filling device on the tanker. Their position is interrogated on the vehicle side by four reed or Hall sensors and, in combination with the sensors on board the vehicle, enables the automatic determination of the loading plan.

Charging arm coding with electronic code transmitter ("PID"): Such encoders are standardized as a product identification device or product identification device. If a loading arm is equipped with such an encoder, which is supplied with power when the arm is connected, and then sends telegrams, information is not only transmitted about the product but also about the loading position, the filling station and possibly even the product during the process Loading added additives included.

Overfill Prevention : Required throughout Europe for the bottom loading of vehicles, this device or this method not only prevents overloading of the vehicles, but can also be used, for example, in the event of incorrect operation to stop the loading (interlock circuit). In addition to the monitoring of the gas displacement line can be aborted by the on-board electronics, even if there is a risk of mixing loading, but not individually per chamber, but all running charges overall. For this purpose, only a simple contact is necessary, with a return line of overfill protection is interrupted.

Radio connection: The effort for the installation of separate identification transmitters can also be eliminated for the loading or filling station for the tanker by means of an online wireless data connection. The control at the loading line would then only have to be for the individual loading arms measured flow rates and the state of the electronic measuring devices constantly transmit to the controller on the vehicle. If this information is correlated with the signals from the on-board sensors, then the loading plan can also be derived therefrom. As an additional benefit the information about the loaded amount on board is available.

Elements or components for the gas station

Magnetic code in the limit switch connector: By arranging two magnets in four possible positions, it is possible to transmit to the vehicle which product is assigned to this limit switch. This information is not only for product identification, but also for safety reasons (Abfüllsicherung) advantage. However, it is not readily analyzable, but only after establishing the assignment to the associated hose coupling. This requires a further circuit.

Two-pole electronic identification transmitter (PID) in product line: If such a sender is installed on the filling station, this modulates the power in a closed circuit between the vehicle and the filling station via the conductive product hose. As a result, the on-board control can recognize the correct assignment even before the delivery is released. Would the. Hose connection lead to a mixture, so the controller would not release the release. The two-pole identification transmitter can be advantageously extremely miniaturized and can be integrated, for example, in the already necessary Isolierflansch.

Multi-Pole Electronic Identifier (PID-GWG): This solution is installed in many brand gas stations in Germany. It differs from the more cost-effective and in particular installation costs-saving two-pole version by the presence of other connections that are connected via appropriate cable with the limit switch plugs. As a result, an assignment of the respective limit value transmitter to the delivery hose is possible, so that in the event of overfilling the correct delivery line can be closed on the vehicle.

Two-pole electronic identifier for Abfüllsicherungszuordnung: The use of the above all with regard to the wiring at the gas station much more expensive multipole encoder can be circumvented by the fact that another identifier in the originally designed only as "Mithöranschluss" circuit is installed in the GWG connection. The cross connection between GWG plug and product flange can be omitted, and This could eliminate a significant cause of high installation costs and system vulnerability.

Mobile Identifier: This solution offers itself as a low-cost variant, for example, if only emphasis is placed on the avoidance of mixing between gasoline and diesel fuels (OK / DK). On the vehicle only a "diesel intermediate piece" would have to be carried, which is mounted by the driver before the start of delivery to the diesel nozzle of the gas station.

Product sensor in the supply line with data radio interface: If a sensor is installed shortly after the hose connection in the pipeline of the filling station, it is able to detect the presence of product in this line (and report it back to the controller in the vehicle, eg via radio) , then on the query of this sensor on the vehicle side on the assignment of Befüllschläuche can be deduced. The amount of product that is "consumed" for this assignment, is significantly lower than in the detection via the filling station side filling level measuring system (see below).

Mobile product sensor with data radio interface: Similar to the mobile identification transmitter, such a sensor can be carried along the vehicle and mounted by the driver before the start of delivery, for example, on the diesel fuel nozzle, if the installation in all gas stations for cost reasons is out of the question.

Tank content measurement with data radio interface: If the data of a filling station installed electronic filling level measurement via a radio interface are read from the vehicle, so this data can also be evaluated to detect mixtures. Depending on the sensitivity and response time of the measurement method used to measure the contents of the tank, the amount of product released before the detection of an error may be between 5 and 100 liters. Alternatively, the equipment of the tank contents measurement is possible with a wired interface to which then a portable radio transmitter / receiver can be connected, which is carried on the vehicle. It would then be standardized only the connector that must be provided for this purpose at the gas station.

systems

From the above-described elements and building blocks, essentially two categories of systems can be derived, each used in different stages of development can be: wireless and tube-bound systems. These are described in more detail below.

Hose-supported systems

As a medium for data transmission, the product hose is used, which must be well conductive for this purpose. Technically, this is not a problem, however, the decrease in conductivity due to the aging of the tubing can lead to disturbances even before reaching the possible service life of the tubing.

Light version

• Steuerung
• Codeleser (PRD) für Abladeseite
• Produktsensoren in allen Rohrleitungen
• mobiles PID
• leitfähige Produkt- und Gaspendelschläuche
• ggf. Erdungsleitung (nur notwendig, wenn Dieselkraftstoff als einziges Produkt abgegeben werden soll)
• ggf. Unterbrechung der Interlock-Leitung für die Überfüllsicherung der Ladestelle

It only needs to be invested in the equipment of the vehicle in the form of:

• control
• Code reader (PRD) for unloading side
• Product sensors in all pipelines
• mobile PID
• conductive product and vapor recovery hoses
• Grounding line if necessary (only necessary if diesel fuel is to be delivered as the only product)
• If necessary, interruption of the interlock line for overfill protection of the loading point

This system reliably prevents the addition of petrol to diesel fuel and vice versa.

When loading the chambers of a tanker vehicle, the sensors built into the product line initially act as empty detectors and are used after completion of the loading to determine the loading schedule fully automatically and without driver intervention, but only "coarse", ie. only distinguished by gasoline and diesel fuel. If the line is not empty before loading, a "density jump" determined by the sensor during loading could be used to stop the loading via the interlock line.

Before unloading from the chambers of a tanker, the driver must "mark" the connection of the gas station's diesel tank with the portable diesel remote control (PID) tag attached before connecting his product hoses. On the one hand, the vehicle-side control recognizes connected hoses via the one flowing after the connection has been established Electricity. If this current is modulated, the hose leads to the diesel tank. If he is not, he leads to a petrol tank.

Release is e.g. for the so-recognized diesel tank only if the loaded product is also diesel, and vice versa for the petrol tanks only if on the vehicle side also Otto power is loaded in the appropriate chamber. The mixing of types of gasoline among themselves is not recognized by the system in this version and therefore can not be prevented.

This light version is not suitable for use in Germany according to the current legal situation, since at least for the types of gasoline no correlation between limit value transmitter and product hose is possible.

Mini version

The vehicle-side equipment corresponds to the light version.

On the service station side, all product nozzles and the vapor recovery connection are equipped with a built-in code transmitter (PID), preferably with the cost-saving two-pole version.

The "marking" of the diesel tank with the portable code transmitter is no longer necessary.

Mini- and Light-Version can be used without any problems, especially in the transitional period during the introduction of the area and conversion to the system and method according to the invention.

Mini version for Germany

This version differs from the general mini version by the gas station side use of multi-pin PID-GWG and the vehicle side to be evaluated return circuits via the limit sensor cable. This version is also suitable for use in Germany according to the current state of the art.

Standard version Germany

This version corresponds to the mini version and additionally contains magnetic code reader for reading the product coding of the loading arms at the filling points, as well as for reading the magnetic codes installed in the GWG stekker of the filling stations. The product sensors in the vehicle, although not preferred, could be replaced with simpler empty sensors in this version.

midi version

This version corresponds to the mini version, only on the vehicle side, the loading clutches are equipped with the possibility to code reading. The additional costs are likely to be negligible and are zero in the case of "left-left" vehicles (loading and unloading on the same side). On the filling side, all loading arms must be equipped with appropriate code pickers.

After expiration of the transitional period, i. after conversion of all loading arms to code transmitter, the magnetic code reader could be dispensed with for new vehicles. After expiration of another transitional period, i. after conversion of all vehicles to electronic code readers also for the loading clutches, the magnetic code encoders could also be omitted on all loading arms.

Maxiversion with quantity acquisition

On the vehicle side, an electronic dipstick is mounted in all chambers, which registers the level in each tank and, as a by-product, provides the density of the product charged in the chambers. This ensures seamless monitoring not only of quality but also of quantity balances. The product sensors in the piping below the chambers can be replaced by simpler empty sensors. Otherwise, the functionality of the systems with easy product recognition.

Radio-controlled systems

Prerequisite for the use of such systems is a reliable radio-based data connection. In particular, when using the radio link for safety-relevant applications, such as the Abfüllsicherung, a faulty or self-interfering system would quickly lose acceptance by the user, if, for example, such interruptions frequent interruptions in the delivery would result. The delivery must be interrupted immediately in case of a fault in the radio link, otherwise the strict requirements of statutory provisions regarding the shutdown times would not be respected and so overcrowding could be the result.

The aim of the use of radio should be to replace all between vehicle and gas station or filling necessary cable connections, as these cause not only one-off, but constant costs for maintenance and regular wear-related replacement and also with labor in the connection and disconnection associated with refueling operations. Another advantage of a radio-based system is that it eliminates the increased conductivity requirements of product hoses.

Light version

• Steuerung
• Produktsensoren in allen Rohrleitungen
• am Fahrzeug fest eingebaute Funkstation
• portable Funkstation als Rohrzwischenstück mit Leermelder
• ggf. Unterbrechung der Interlock-Leitung für die Überfüllsicherung der Ladestelle

Again, the light version comes with the on-board equipment alone:

• control
• Product sensors in all pipelines
• permanently installed radio station on the vehicle
• Portable radio station as pipe adapter with empty detector
• If necessary, interruption of the interlock line for overfill protection of the loading point

Loading side corresponds to the function of the previously described light version without radio.

When unloading the driver puts the entrained adapter on the coupling of the diesel tank and thus sets the built-in transmitter in operation. A charge is released on the vehicle side only when the radio signal of the adapter is registered. When the driver triggers a dispensing, first the corresponding bottom valve of the respective compartment of the tanker opens, but only for a very short time (1 to 2 seconds), so that the amount of product dispensed is only a few liters (1 to 5). Thereafter, the controller "listens" to the signal of the empty detector in the adapter, which must respond to the delivery of diesel fuel after a few seconds. If this signal is ignored, the further delivery is omitted and an error message is displayed ("Diesel fuel delivery in petrol tank!"). If the message that the product has "arrived" in the adapter then automatically opens the bottom valve again and dispensing continues.

If petrol is dispensed, the same sequence ensures that the dispensing is not accidental in the diesel fuel tank. The sensor in the adapter is allowed in this Do not respond within the next 2 to 10 seconds after initiating the initial product shock. Should he do so, then the levy is stopped and there is the error message "petrol delivery in diesel fuel tank!". Otherwise, the delivery will continue automatically as previously described for diesel fuel.

In Germany, this system is not applicable due to the strict additional surveillance requirements (ASS, GPÜ, AS) according to current legislation.

Mini version

The vehicle-side equipment corresponds to the light version.

At the service station side, the product sensor is firmly mounted in the diesel fuel line and, together with the signals from a tank contents measuring system installed at the filling station, is led to a plug-in connection accessible to the driver at the filling station.

The driver carries a portable transmitter, which must be connected to this connector at the gas station. Since the power supply of the transmitter can be done in this way, the portable transmitter does not even need its own power supply by battery and can be kept very small, light and therefore inexpensive and handy in this way.

The function is similar to that of the Light version, but is supplemented by additional monitoring of tank contents in the bottom tanks before, during and after delivery. As a result, the system assumes the function of an overfill prevention device (albeit not according to the currently strict German guidelines), because the constant monitoring of the fill levels avoids overfilling, provided that the level measuring system in the floor tanks functions correctly.

If, for example, the type of petrol in the individual chambers is also known by manual entry of the loaded products of the vehicle control system, the mixture of petrol products can also be detected and prevented within certain limits with this version. For this purpose, the procedure for petrol is slightly modified compared to the mini version: After the initial product shock and monitoring of the diesel feedback, a dangerous OK / DK mixing is excluded, the levy is restarted. By polling the level in the bottom tanks, an increase in the level must now occur after a maximum of 5 to 30 seconds (corresponding to 50 to 300 1 product inflow) be registered in the corresponding floor tank. If this is not the case, or if the increase in a bottom tank with another product occurs, the delivery is stopped immediately and the driver is notified of the mixing that has taken place. It should be noted that while waiting for the level increase from the system, the beginning of another delivery is not allowed. But this is not a significant limitation, since this time is anyway needed for the preparation of the next delivery (so-called "Anschlauchen"). In principle, any number of charges can be carried out simultaneously with this method.

If the monitoring of the level increase continues to be carried out continuously during the entire delivery period, this system also makes it possible, within certain limits, to detect a hose break: If the increase does not take place, the delivery is also stopped. The leakage of a chamber can be reliably prevented in any case in this way.

This system variant can be designed to be compatible with the fieldbus systems (EPSI, IFSF) increasingly used at filling stations. For this purpose, the portable radio interface only has to be able to drive or use the respective bus protocol.

midi version

If a radio station permanently installed at the gas station, so no portable unit is necessary and the step of establishing the connection to the gas station system can be omitted.

Mid Version with Fuse Against Overcrowding (AS) for Germany

The stricter regulations in Germany currently require the use of a separate, independent of the other systems Abfüllsicherung. Further legal regulations require the monitoring of the vapor recovery hose (GPÜ) as well as the product hoses against demolition or non-connection (ASS).

The gas pendulum monitoring can be realized by means of a simple mechanical sensor, or, if a real function monitoring is desired, by means of a flow and density sensor autonomously on the vehicle.

The filling hose assurance can be implemented, for example, via the continuous quantity monitoring during delivery. However, since a true balance sheet is not possible, since the amount delivered by the vehicle is only approximately approximate, the installation of an electronic direction finding system on board the vehicle would be an advantage for this function (see "Maxiversion" below).

In any case, an overfill protection system may need to be retrofitted on the vehicle side for German systems. However, a radio-based "collective fuse" would suffice, which is coupled by means of a separate radio station and to which all thermistors are connected. This eliminates the need for the assignment, because it is indeed avoided by the constant Füllhöhenabfrage the start of a Abfüllsicherungsgrenzen. This will leave all sensors unwetted - except in the event of a failure or malfunction of the tank contents measurement. But then the response of a single sensor must lead to the shutdown of all current charges. In this exceptional case, further levies may only be made in "single mode", i. it would be allowed by the control only the delivery of a single product at a time. The risk of confusion or misallocation between the limit sensor and the product tube is minimal.

Maxi version

With this equipment level or version, an electronic direction finding system is installed on board the vehicle, which continuously monitors not only the quality of the loaded products but also their quantity. This opens up the possibility of quantity balance in combination with the gas station-side content measurement (quantity delivered in comparison to the quantity received). Thereby the sensitivity to product losses, e.g. be significantly increased by leaks.

With this version or equipment combination, the current legal requirements in Germany for the filling hose assurance can be met, i. the leakage of a larger amount of products can be detected by the system and stopped by interrupting the delivery.

By pre-computation of the amount that can still be filled into the floor tank before the start of a delivery, ie prophylactically overfilling, the response of one of the filling fuses can be prevented even more reliably in this variant.

In summary, the methods according to the invention and the systems and devices operating thereafter can be used to prevent product mixtures, in particular the dangerous and harmful product mixtures between gasoline and diesel fuels.

• Dichtesensor und Produktpräsenzsensor (Leermelder) zum Einbau in die Leitungen unterhalb der Kammern eines Tankfahrzeugs, ermöglichen die Unterscheidung zwischen Otto- und Dieselkraftstoffen sowie die automatische Registrierung des Leerzustandes einer Kammer.
• Produktpräsenzsensor (hinter dem Einfüllstutzen des Tankstellentanks fest eingebaut, oder als tragbare Einheit zum temporären Anschluss während der Anwesenheit des Tankfahrzeugs)
• Sammelabfüllsicherung für den Anschluss an vier gleichzeitig arbeitende Thermistorsensoren
• Funkstation für die Abfrage von tankstellenseitig verfügbaren Informationen, z.B. über den aktuellen Füllstand sowie die Produktbelegung der Erdtanks der Tankstelle
• Gasströmungs- und -dichtesensor(en) für die kontinuierliche und effiziente Überwachung der Gaspendelung - sowohl bei der Abgabe als auch bei der Beladung einsetzbar
• mobiler Kennungsgeber zur kostengünstigen temporären Ausrüstung einer Tankstelle mit einer über den leitfähigen Abfüllschlauch abfragbaren Produktkennung
• Abfüllsicherungsstecker mit eigenem elektronischen Produktkennungsgeber

For the most cost-effective realization of the devices and methods according to the present invention, novel sensors and modules are preferably and advantageously used:

• Density sensor and product presence sensor (empty detector) for installation in the lines below the chambers of a tanker, allow the distinction between petrol and diesel fuels and the automatic registration of the empty state of a chamber.
• Product presence sensor (permanently installed behind the filler neck of the service station tank or as a portable unit for temporary connection during the presence of the tanker)
• Multi-purpose fuse for connection to four simultaneously operating thermistor sensors
• Radio station for the query of information available on the gas station side, eg about the current filling level as well as the product occupancy of the petrol station underground tanks
• Gas flow and density sensor (s) for the continuous and efficient monitoring of gas displacement - applicable to both discharge and loading
• Mobile identification transmitter for cost-effective temporary equipment of a filling station with a product identifier which can be interrogated via the conductive filling hose
• Filler plug with own electronic product code

variants

Because of the multitude of conceivable combinations of individual features of the present invention within the scope of the latter, in the above description, only a few variants that can be advantageously used today are described in more detail by way of example. Of course, for the realization of the invention and / or fulfillment of further requirements also many other combinations of the described elements and components can be formed.

Below are some other general or specific variants:

In a device according to the invention for the prevention of mixing in the dispensing of liquid products, it can be provided that
a control or control device on board a tanker vehicle controls at least one filling or dispensing valve and thus releases or blocks the loading and / or dispensing of products individually for individual tank chambers of the vehicle or in total,
at least one device for chamber-wise detection or input and storage of the product type or the product category is present on board the tanker and can be used by the control device,
in that at least one device for detecting the product, which may be discharged via a hose connected to the tanker into a receiver tank connected to the other hose end, is present on board the tanker, and / or that at least one device for detecting the product, via a loading arm may be delivered to the tanker, on the loading arm and / or on board the tanker vehicle is present, and
that the product recognition device can be used by the control device, and
that the control device processes the existing information and deduces therefrom the decision as to whether a delivery would lead to a mixing or not, and releases the corresponding valve only in the latter case.

In such a device can also be provided that the detection of the correct assignment is made so that initially only a small amount of product is dispensed and this amount is recognized by suitable sensors in the supply line to the receiver tank or in the receiver tank itself subsequently. Only when the small amount arrives in the right tank, the further release is released or automatically continued. In this regard, the chambers in the tanker form the receiver tank when it is loaded.

Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the device for automatic recognition of the product category measures the density of the product or a density-dependent physical property and thereby distinguish, for example, between light gasoline fuels and heavier diesel fuels or heating oils.

A further embodiment variant is that the detection of the product stored in the receiver tank, which is supplied by the tanker, by means of a portable Identifier takes place, which is flanged between the hose connection of the receiver tank and the product hose before the start of duties by the operator, and whose identifier is queried via a conductive product hose from the vehicle-mounted control and used to control the levies.

Yet another variant of a system according to the invention is characterized in that the overfilling of the tank to be filled by the tanker receiver tanks is prevented by Abfüllsicherungen, the assignment between the receiver tank and associated on-board tank chamber of the controller via a circuit of Abfüllsicherungskabels and integrated in Abfüllsicherungsstecker two-pole code generator (PID) is determined.

In the context of the invention, it is further preferred if the information about the assignment of the receiver tank is obtained by means of a portable feedback sensor, which is flanged by the operator before starting the charges between tankstellenseitigem hose connection and product hose. In this case, it can be provided in particular that the data transmission between sensor and control takes place wirelessly.

Assuming corresponding embodiments, it is furthermore advantageous if the feedback of the quantities received in the receiver tank takes place in the less critical cases for mixing by evaluating the signals of a tank contents measuring system integrated on the filling station side. This can be further developed in that at least one feedback takes place via a radio data connection.

Also, provided that suitable embodiments are provided, a legally prescribed overfill prevention may be operated in a collection mode, i. without individual assignment of the override protection circuits, and if any of the limit switches respond, all current charges are blocked. It can also be provided that the information about the state of the filling fuses and / or the Sammelabfüllsicherung is transmitted by radio data.

Yet another development is that the monitoring of the correct connection of the gas displacement line (s) is monitored autonomously via a gas flow and density sensor installed on board the vehicle, not only in terms of flow but also in terms of gas density and / or other characteristics of the flowing medium, due to which the difference to flowing fresh air can be determined.

The above explanations provided, will be discussed below on the embodiments shown in the drawings.

In the Fig. 1 a first embodiment of a refueling system 1 is shown schematically. This is a hose-supported system. Product recognition or identification devices 2 in the form of a portable identification generator 3 are arranged in a product line 4, which is formed by a product tube 5 and a filling connection 6. The portable identification generator 3 is integrated into a coupling flange 7 for connecting the product hose 5 to the filling connection 6. The filling port 6 belongs to a bottom tank 8 for diesel fuel DK a gas station (not shown). The product hose 5 leads from a tank chamber 9 of a tank 10 of a tanker vehicle (not shown) to the filling connection 6. In the tank chamber 9, gasoline of the quality "Super Plus" SUP is contained. A transfer from the tank chamber 9 in the bottom tank 8 must therefore be prevented.

The portable identifier generator 3 is connected via an output valve 11 of the tank chamber 9 to a controller 12 and generates an output with the information regarding the product identification or identification, which passes through the conductive design of the product tube 5 to the control. Furthermore, via the portable identifier generator 3 information about the bottom tank 8 to the controller 12, namely, that in the bottom tank 8 diesel fuel DK is stored, which may not be mixed with gasoline. From the combination of the two pieces of information, the controller 12 causes the dispensing valve 11 to close and stay closed so that no mixing of the two fuel types DK and SUP takes place.

Also from a tank chamber 13 of the tank 10 of the tanker (not shown) with diesel fuel DK goes from a product line 4, to a floor tank 14 of the gas station (not shown) with gasoline quality "unleaded" BF, so that even for this compound a transfer must be prevented. This product line 4 also contains a product hose 5 and a filling connection 6, which are connected via a coupling flange 7. Product identification or identification devices 2 in the form of a portable identifier generator 3 are likewise integrated in the coupling flange 7, which provides corresponding information about the electrically conductive corresponding product tube 5 to the controller 12. The latter concludes on the basis of this information, the output valve 11 to the tank chamber 13 with diesel fuel DK and thereby prevents its transfer into the bottom tank 14 with gasoline quality "unleaded" BF and thus a mixture of the two types of fuel BF and DK.

A transfer from a tank chamber 15 with gasoline quality "Super" SU from the tank 10 of the tanker (not shown) in a floor tank 16 of the gas station (not shown), however, is not affected by the controller 12, since in this embodiment for the transfer of gasoline no matter what quality no monitoring of mixing by the controller 12 is provided. In the corresponding product line 17, no product recognition or identification devices 2 are switched on. Nevertheless, the controller 12 has a connection to the discharge valve 11 to the tank chamber 15, as these, for example, could be incorrectly connected once to a receiver tank, such as the floor tank 8 with diesel fuel DK.

Only for the sake of completeness are still a tank chamber 18 of the tank 10 of the tanker (not shown) with gasoline quality "unleaded" BF and another bottom tank 19 of the gas station (not shown) for gasoline quality "Super Plus" SUP shown. These two containers are not taken into account in the transfer process shown.

Incidentally, for further explanation of the first embodiment in the Fig. 1 to the description of the refueling system 1 in its various versions and with the respective elements and components as well as to the description of these elements and components referred to above and referenced.

In the Fig. 2 In particular, the product recognition or identification devices 2 of the embodiment according to the Fig. 1 in an enlarged view and shown in more detail schematically. In particular, the portable identification generator or generator 3 in its embodiment as or integrated into the coupling or intermediate flange 7 is clearly shown. For the integration of the portable identifier generator or encoder 3 of the coupling or intermediate flange 7 is equipped with an insulated screw 20, which in turn contains Isolierstoffteile 21. The portable identifier generator or encoder 3 is designed as a chip 22. For the rest, reference is made to the description of the elements and components of the refueling system 1 above and referenced.

A second embodiment of a refueling system 1 is shown in FIG Fig. 3 illustrated schematically. Only the elements, components and functions will be described and explained below, in which the second embodiment of the first embodiment according to Fig. 1 different.

In the second embodiment, a product sensor 23 is included as part of the product detection or identification means 2 with level measuring means 24 in the bottom tanks 8, 14, 16 and 19 of the gas station (not shown) with their respective fuel types DK, BF, SU and SUP respectively intended. The means 24 for level measurement are also connected to dipsticks 25 for level detection in the bottom tanks 8, 14, 16 and 19 of the gas station (not shown) with their respective fuel types DK, BF, SU and SUP. The information obtained in this way is given to the level measurement devices 24 via connected measuring data radio devices 26 by radio transmission to control radio devices 27, which input the information into the control 12. The connections of the product lines 4 between the tank chambers 9, 13, 15 and 18 of the tank 10 of the tanker vehicle (not shown) with their respective fuel types SUP, DK, SU and BF and the bottom tanks 8, 14, 16 and 19 of the gas station (not shown) with their respective fuel types DK, BF, SU and SUP and the consequences, caused by the controller 12 are the same as in the first embodiment according to the Fig. 1 , A product sensor 23 and its connection to the devices 24 for level measurement have been omitted for clarity, but also so clear to the skilled worker in arrangement, design and function from the totality of the available documents. Also more parallels between the Fig. 1 and 3 arising from the comparative consideration for the skilled person readily.

Incidentally, for further explanation of the second embodiment in the Fig. 3 to the description of the refueling system 1 in its various versions and with the respective elements and components as well as to the description of these elements and components referred to above and referenced.

Claims (18)

1. Tank-filling method for use between a stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) having a or for a product (DK [diesel], BF [unleaded], SU [super], SUP [super plus]) from a plurality of liquid products,(DK, BF, SU, SUP) and a mobile tank (10) having at least two chambers (9) for identical or different products (DK, BF, SU, SUP),
   wherein at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) is recognised or identified via product recognition or identification devices (2) in or for each product line (4) between a stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and a chamber (9, 13, 15, 18) of the mobile tank (10),
   wherein the recognition or identification of the at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) is detected and evaluated by a controller (12), and
   wherein in dependence upon the recognised or identified product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) a valve (11) is controlled to be opened or closed in order to siphon the product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) between the stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and the chamber (9, 13, 15, 18) of the mobile tank (10),
   characterised in that
   at the beginning of the tank-filling method, a portable identifier generator (3) of the product recognition or identification devices (2) is already provided together with the mobile tank (10), and
   in that the portable identifier generator (3) is integrated into a coupling flange (7) for connecting a product tube (5) of the product line (4) to a filler connection (6) of the product line (4) and produces an output with the information relating to the product recognition or identification and to the stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and sends it to the controller (12).
2. Tank-filling method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the portable identifier generator of the product identifier (2) is a product sensor (3).
3. Tank-filling method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the recognition or identification of the at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) is transferred to the controller (12) by means of wireless transmission (26, 27).
4. Tank-filling method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the recognition or identification is effected such that firstly only a small amount of product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) is output and this amount of the product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) is subsequently recognised by the portable identifier generator (3) in the product line (4).
5. Tank-filling method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that over-filling is monitored/prevented.
6. Tank-filling method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that devices (25) are provided for in particular continuous siphoning-amount measurement and/or tank/chamber-content measurement.
7. Tank-filling method as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the recognition or identification is effected by measuring the density of the product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) or a density-dependent physical characteristic.
8. Tank-filling system for use between a stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) having a or for a product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) from a plurality of liquid products (DK, BF, SU, SUP) and a mobile tank (10) having at least two chambers (9) for identical or different products (DK, BF, SU, SUP),
   containing:

   product recognition or identification devices (2) in or for each product line (4) between a stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and a chamber (9, 13, 15, 18) of the mobile tank (10) for recognising or identifying at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP), and

   a controller (12) for detecting and evaluating the recognition or identification of the at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP),

   wherein the devices (2) for recognising or identifying at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) are coupled with the controller (12) in order to provide the controller with information regarding a recognised or identified product (DK, BF, SU, SUP), and

   wherein the controller (12) is furthermore coupled with a valve (11) to siphon the product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) between the stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and the chamber (9, 13, 15, 18) of the mobile tank (10), in order to control the valve (11) to be opened or closed in dependence upon the recognised or identified product (DK, BF, SU, SUP),

   characterised in that
   the product recognition or identification devices (2) contain a portable identifier generator (3), and
   in that the portable identifier generator (3) is integrated into a coupling flange (7) for connecting a product tube (5) of the product line (4) to a filler connection (6) of the product line (4) and is designed to produce an output with the information relating to the product recognition or identification and to the stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and to send it to the controller (12).
9. Tank-filling system as claimed in Claim 8, characterised in that the portable identifier generator of the product identifier (2) is a product sensor (3).
10. Tank-filling system as claimed in Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the devices (2) for recognising or identifying at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) are designed to measure the density of the product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) or a density-dependent physical characteristic.
11. Tank-filling system as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 10, characterised in that the coupling between the devices (2) for recognising or identifying at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) and the controller (12) is effected via the product line (4) between the stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and the chamber (9, 13, 15, 18) of the mobile tank (10) or via wireless data transmission (26, 27).
12. Tank-filling system as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 11, characterised in that a means for securing against over-filling is provided.
13. Tank-filling system as claimed in any one of Claims 8 to 12, characterised in that devices (25) are provided for siphoning-amount measurement and/or tank/chamber-content measurement and are coupled with the controller (12).
14. Tank-filling device for use between a stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) having a or for a product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) from a plurality of liquid products (DK, BF, SU, SUP) and a mobile tank (10) having at least two chambers (9) for identical or different products (DK, BF, SU, SUP), containing:

    product recognition or identification devices (2) in or for each product line (4) between a stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and a chamber (9, 13, 15, 18) of the mobile tank (10) for recognising or identifying at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP), and for providing a controller (12) for detecting and evaluating the recognition or identification of the at least one product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) with information regarding a recognised or identified product (DK, BF, SU, SUP),

    characterised in that
    the product recognition or identification devices (2) contain a portable identifier generator (3), and
    in that the portable identifier generator (3) is integrated into a coupling flange (7) for connecting a product tube (5) of the product line (4) to a filler connection (6) of the product line (4) and is designed to produce an output with the information relating to the product recognition or identification and to the stationary tank (8, 14, 16, 19) and to send it to the controller (12).
15. Tank-filling device as claimed in Claim 14, characterised in that the portable identifier generator of the product identifier (2) is a product sensor (3).
16. Tank-filling device as claimed in Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the product recognition or identification devices (2) are designed to measure the density of the product (DK, BF, SU, SUP) or a density-dependent physical characteristic.
17. Tank-filling device as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 16, characterised in that a means for securing against over-filling is provided.
18. Tank-filling device as claimed in any one of Claims 14 to 17, characterised in that devices are incorporated for siphoning-amount measurement (25) and/or tank/chamber-content measurement and are coupled with the controller (12).

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