Liquid collecting structure suitable for ship methanol filling station and capable of reducing methanol volatilization
By implementing a real-time monitoring and dynamic adjustment mechanism for the liquid collection structure, the problem of delayed leakage handling at ship methanol refueling stations has been solved, achieving efficient and safe methanol liquid management and improving operational efficiency and safety.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511248834.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-03
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing ship methanol refueling stations suffer from low levels of intelligence and poor coordination in leak monitoring and handling, resulting in delayed leak response and impacting operational efficiency and safety.
The system employs a liquid collection structure, including a storage tank, filling pipe, collection base, movable cylinder, and fixed cylinder. It utilizes displacement sensors and controllers to monitor leakage in real time, and links the filling valve with the control center via wireless communication to dynamically adjust the collection path, thereby achieving real-time monitoring and remote management.
It improves the operational efficiency and safety of methanol refueling stations, reduces the risk of leakage, avoids secondary risks caused by delays due to human intervention, and enhances the accuracy and efficiency of leakage handling.
Smart Images
Figure CN121201604A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of ship methanol refueling stations, and more specifically, to a liquid collection structure suitable for ship methanol refueling stations and reducing methanol volatilization. Background Technology
[0002] Methanol refueling stations on ships are frequently plagued by leaks, posing a dual challenge to both safety and efficiency.
[0003] Currently, most ship methanol refueling stations rely on fixed liquid collection devices to deal with leaks, but these devices have obvious drawbacks: on the one hand, they lack dynamic perception of changes in the amount of leakage, which may be ignored when there is a small leak, and are prone to overflow when there is a large leak, resulting in low recovery efficiency and great hidden dangers. On the other hand, existing technologies are mostly based on mechanical structures with low levels of intelligence, making it impossible to monitor leakage in real time and provide feedback for adjustment, thus making it difficult to achieve precise and efficient dynamic regulation. More importantly, the poor linkage between the refueling pipeline and the liquid collection device leads to a disconnect between leakage monitoring and handling during the refueling process, making it impossible to form an efficient closed-loop control. This fragmented state results in delayed handling of leakage problems, significantly reducing the operational efficiency and safety of the ship's methanol refueling station. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a liquid collection structure suitable for ship methanol refueling stations and to reduce methanol volatilization, thereby solving the problem of poor methanol liquid leakage treatment in the prior art.
[0005] This invention is implemented as follows: a liquid collection structure applicable to ship methanol refueling stations and reducing methanol volatilization includes a storage tank arranged on the ship for storing liquid methanol and a liquid collection seat installed on the ship. The storage tank has a liquid outlet, and a refueling pipe connected to the liquid outlet and a refueling hose is connected to the liquid outlet. The refueling pipe is equipped with a refueling valve. When the refueling valve is closed, the refueling pipe is isolated from the storage tank. When the refueling valve is open, the refueling pipe is connected to the storage tank. The liquid collecting seat has a liquid collecting cavity, and the bottom of the liquid collecting seat is provided with a drain port; a fixed cylinder is provided in the middle of the liquid collecting cavity, and the fixed cylinder surrounds and forms a fixed cavity; the top of the liquid collecting cavity is covered by a ring-shaped top plate, the outer side of the top plate is connected to the top of the liquid collecting seat, and the inner side of the top plate is connected to the top of the fixed cylinder. The bottom of the fixed cylinder has a suspended fixed base plate, the upper part of the fixed cylinder has a closed upper section, the lower part of the fixed cylinder has a lower section, and the outer periphery of the lower section is provided with multiple fixed through holes. The fixed cavity contains a movable cylinder arranged vertically, which surrounds the movable cavity with a top opening. The top opening extends above the liquid collection seat and is located directly below the filling pipe. The bottom of the movable cylinder has a movable base plate, which is located above the fixed base plate. A spring connects the movable base plate and the fixed base plate. The outer periphery of the movable cylinder has multiple movable through holes. The movable cylinder is equipped with a displacement sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller. The controller communicates wirelessly with the control center through a communication element and controls the opening or closing of the filling valve. Methanol leaking from the filling pipe enters the movable chamber through the top opening. When the weight of the methanol in the movable chamber exceeds the set weight, the spring is compressed, the movable cylinder moves downward relative to the fixed cylinder, the movable base plate moves to the lower section, the movable through hole communicates with the fixed through hole, and the methanol in the movable chamber passes through the movable through hole and the fixed through hole in sequence and enters the liquid collection chamber. When the weight of the methanol liquid in the movable chamber is lower than the set weight, the movable bottom is located in the upper section, the movable through hole of the movable cylinder is closed by the upper section, and the movable through hole is misaligned and closed with the fixed through hole.
[0006] Furthermore, a flared ring in the shape of annular flare is provided above the top opening, the lower end of the flared ring is connected to the outer periphery of the top opening, and the upper end of the flared ring extends upward; along the direction of the flared ring from bottom to top, the flared ring is arranged to expand outward at an angle.
[0007] Furthermore, a constricted ring in the shape of an annular constriction is provided below the top opening. The constricted ring is placed in the movable cavity, with its upper end abutting against the outer periphery of the top opening and its lower end extending downwards. Along the top-to-bottom direction of the constricted ring, the constricted ring is arranged to contract inwards at an angle.
[0008] Furthermore, the lower end of the constriction ring forms a constricted bottom constriction, which is offset from the center of the movable cylinder and extends toward the inner wall of the movable cavity. The methanol liquid discharged from the bottom constriction flows downward along the inner wall of the movable cavity.
[0009] Furthermore, the bottom of the constricted opening is provided with a guide channel made of elastic material, which abuts against the inner wall of the movable cavity; the methanol liquid discharged from the constricted opening flows along the guide channel and is guided to the inner wall of the movable cavity.
[0010] Furthermore, along the direction from the outside to the inside of the top plate, the top plate is arranged at an upward inclination, and the top plate encloses and forms an upper cavity.
[0011] Furthermore, the fixed cylinder is located in the upper cavity, and the fixed bottom plate of the fixed cylinder is located above the liquid collection cavity.
[0012] Furthermore, the fixed through holes are arranged in a longitudinal straight strip shape, extending along the axial direction of the fixed cylinder, and a plurality of the fixed through holes are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the fixed cylinder; the movable through holes are arranged in a transverse straight strip shape, extending along the circumference of the movable cylinder, and a plurality of the movable through holes are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the movable cylinder.
[0013] Furthermore, the bottom of the spring is fixedly connected to the fixed base plate, and the bottom of the movable base plate is concave upward to form a conical recessed area. The top of the spring is movably embedded in the recessed area, and the movable base plate presses against the spring from top to bottom.
[0014] Furthermore, the liquid collection chamber is equipped with a combustible gas sensor for monitoring the concentration of combustible gas, and the combustible gas sensor is electrically connected to the controller.
[0015] Compared with the prior art, the liquid collection structure provided by the present invention, which is suitable for ship methanol refueling stations and reduces methanol volatilization, has the following advantages: First, the liquid collection structure monitors the weight change of methanol liquid in the active chamber in real time through a displacement sensor and feeds the data back to the controller. When the leakage exceeds the set value, the controller will link the refueling valve to cut off the methanol supply in time, thereby reducing the risk of leakage from the source. Meanwhile, the cooperation mechanism between the movable cylinder and the spring can automatically adjust the collection path according to the dynamic changes in the leakage: when the leakage is large, the movable cylinder moves down, and the movable through hole connects with the fixed through hole, quickly guiding the liquid into the collection chamber; when the leakage is small, the movable cylinder moves up, and the through hole is misaligned and closed to prevent liquid backflow or accidental discharge. The dynamic adjustment mechanism avoids liquid overflow or incomplete recovery. In addition, the intelligent feedback system of the liquid collection structure is connected to the control center via wireless communication, enabling real-time monitoring and remote management of the leakage situation. This not only improves the operating efficiency of the ship's methanol refueling station, but also enhances safety and avoids secondary risks caused by delays due to human intervention. Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a simplified schematic diagram of a liquid collection structure provided by the present invention, which is suitable for ship methanol refueling stations and reduces methanol volatilization; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the liquid collecting seat combined with the movable cylinder and the fixed cylinder provided by the present invention; Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the liquid collecting seat and the fixing cylinder provided by the present invention; Figure 4This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the movable cylinder provided by the present invention; Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the fixed cylinder provided by the present invention; In the diagram: storage tank 100, filling pipe 101, filling valve 102; Liquid collecting base 200, liquid collecting chamber 201, top plate 202, upper cavity 203; Movable cylinder 300, movable cavity 301, flared ring 302, constricted ring 303, guide channel 304, bottom constriction 305, recessed area 306, movable through hole 307, movable base plate 308. Fixed cylinder 400, lower section 401, upper section 402, fixed through hole 403, fixed base plate 404, spring 405. Detailed Implementation
[0017] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.
[0018] The implementation of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.
[0019] In the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this invention. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0020] Reference Figure 1-5 The image shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0021] A liquid collection structure suitable for ship methanol refueling stations and reducing methanol volatilization includes a storage tank 100 arranged on the ship to store liquid methanol and a liquid collection seat 200 installed on the ship. The storage tank 100 has a liquid outlet, and a refueling pipe 101 connected to the liquid outlet and a refueling hose is connected to the liquid outlet. A refueling valve 102 is provided on the refueling pipe 101. When the refueling valve 102 is closed, the refueling pipe 101 is isolated from the storage tank 100. When the refueling valve 102 is open, the refueling pipe 101 is connected to the storage tank 100. The liquid collecting base 200 has a liquid collecting cavity 201, and the bottom of the liquid collecting base 200 is provided with a drain port; a fixing cylinder 400 is provided in the middle of the liquid collecting cavity 201, and the fixing cylinder 400 surrounds and forms a fixing cavity; the top of the liquid collecting cavity 201 is covered by a top plate 202 arranged in a ring, the outer side of the top plate 202 is connected to the top of the liquid collecting base 200, and the inner side of the top plate 202 is connected to the top of the fixing cylinder 400. The bottom of the fixed cylinder 400 has a suspended fixed base plate 404, the upper part of the fixed cylinder 400 has a closed upper section 402, the lower part of the fixed cylinder 400 has a lower section 401, and the outer periphery of the lower section 401 is provided with multiple fixed through holes 403. The fixed cavity is provided with a movable cylinder 300 that is arranged vertically. The movable cylinder 300 surrounds the movable cavity 301 with a top opening. The top opening extends above the liquid collecting seat 200 and is located directly below the filling pipe 101. The bottom of the movable cylinder 300 has a movable base plate 308, which is located above the fixed base plate 404. A spring 405 connects the movable base plate 308 and the fixed base plate 404. The outer periphery of the movable cylinder 300 is provided with multiple movable through holes 307. The movable cylinder 300 is equipped with a displacement sensor, which is electrically connected to the controller. The controller communicates wirelessly with the control center through a communication element and controls the opening or closing of the filling valve 102. Methanol liquid leaking from filling pipe 101 enters movable chamber 301 through top opening. When the weight of methanol liquid in movable chamber 301 exceeds the set weight, spring 405 is compressed, movable cylinder 300 moves downward relative to fixed cylinder 400, movable base plate 308 moves into lower section 401, movable through hole 307 communicates with fixed through hole 403, and methanol liquid in movable chamber 301 passes through movable through hole 307 and fixed through hole 403 in sequence and enters collection chamber 201; When the weight of the methanol liquid in the movable chamber 301 is lower than the set weight, the movable bottom 308 is located in the upper section 402, the movable through hole 307 of the movable cylinder 300 is closed by the upper section 402, and the movable through hole 307 is misaligned and closed with the fixed through hole 403.
[0022] The liquid collection structure provided above, which is suitable for ship methanol refueling stations and reduces methanol volatilization, has the following advantages: First, the liquid collection structure monitors the weight change of methanol liquid in the active chamber 301 in real time through a displacement sensor and feeds the data back to the controller. When the leakage exceeds the set value, the controller will link the refueling valve 102 to cut off the methanol supply in time, thereby reducing the risk of leakage from the source. Meanwhile, the cooperation mechanism between the movable cylinder 300 and the spring 405 can automatically adjust the collection path according to the dynamic changes in the leakage: when the leakage is large, the movable cylinder 300 moves down, and the movable through hole 307 connects with the fixed through hole 403, quickly guiding the liquid into the liquid collection chamber 201; when the leakage is small, the movable cylinder 300 moves up, and the through hole is misaligned and closed to prevent liquid backflow or accidental discharge. The dynamic adjustment mechanism avoids liquid overflow or incomplete recovery. In addition, the intelligent feedback system of the liquid collection structure is connected to the control center via wireless communication, enabling real-time monitoring and remote management of the leakage situation. This not only improves the operating efficiency of the ship's methanol refueling station, but also enhances safety and avoids secondary risks caused by delays due to human intervention.
[0023] In this embodiment, a flared ring 302 in an annular shape is provided above the top opening. The lower end of the flared ring 302 is abutted against the outer periphery of the top opening, and the upper end of the flared ring 302 extends upward. Along the upward direction of the flared ring 302, the flared ring 302 is arranged obliquely outward. In this way, the oblique arrangement of the flared ring 302 expanding outward from bottom to top increases the capture range of the top opening, which can collect leaked methanol liquid more efficiently, prevent it from splashing outward, and improve the collection efficiency.
[0024] In this embodiment, a constricted ring 303 with an annular constriction shape is provided below the top opening. The constricted ring 303 is placed in the movable cavity 301, with its upper end abutting against the outer periphery of the top opening and its lower end extending downwards. Along the top-to-bottom direction, the constricted ring 303 is inclined inwards. In this way, the constricted ring 303 allows the liquid to flow more smoothly into the movable cavity 301, thereby reducing liquid retention and splashing at the opening and improving the stability of liquid collection.
[0025] In this embodiment, the lower end of the constriction ring 303 forms a constricted bottom constriction 305. The bottom constriction 305 is offset from the center of the movable cylinder 300 and extends towards the inner wall of the movable cavity 301. The methanol liquid discharged from the bottom constriction 305 flows downward along the inner wall of the movable cavity 301. This design of the bottom constriction 305 avoids the methanol liquid from falling freely from top to bottom and impacting the bottom of the movable cylinder 300, reducing the flow impact of the methanol liquid on the movable cylinder 300, thereby protecting the structural integrity of the movable cylinder 300.
[0026] In this embodiment, the bottom of the bottom constriction 305 is provided with a guide channel 304 made of elastic material, which abuts against the inner wall of the movable cavity 301. The methanol liquid discharged from the bottom constriction 305 flows along the guide channel 304 and is guided to the inner wall of the movable cavity 301. The elastic material of the guide channel 304 can buffer the impact force of the liquid and guide the liquid to flow smoothly along the inner wall, further reducing the impact of the liquid on the movable cylinder 300 and the risk of structural damage.
[0027] In this embodiment, the top plate 202 is arranged at an upward inclination along the direction from the outside to the inside, and the top plate 202 encloses and forms the upper cavity 203. This facilitates the inward flow of liquid while preventing foreign objects from entering the opening, thus improving the system's sealing performance and liquid collection efficiency.
[0028] In this embodiment, the fixed cylinder 400 is located in the upper cavity 203, and the fixed base plate 404 of the fixed cylinder 400 is located above the liquid collection cavity 201. This position of the fixed cylinder 400 enables it to effectively support and fix the movable cylinder 300, while providing a stable flow path for the methanol liquid, ensuring that the liquid can flow smoothly from the movable cavity 301 into the liquid collection cavity 201.
[0029] In this embodiment, the fixed through holes 403 are arranged in a longitudinal straight strip shape, extending along the axial direction of the fixed cylinder 400, and multiple fixed through holes 403 are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the fixed cylinder 400; the movable through holes 307 are arranged in a transverse straight strip shape, extending along the circumference of the movable cylinder 300, and multiple movable through holes 307 are arranged at intervals around the circumference of the movable cylinder 300. When the movable through holes 307 are connected to the fixed through holes 403, the communication range between the two can be increased, thereby facilitating the discharge of the methanol solution in the movable cavity 301 into the liquid collection cavity 201, improving the efficiency of liquid collection and discharge.
[0030] In this embodiment, the bottom of the spring 405 is fixedly connected to the fixed base plate 404, and the bottom of the movable base plate 308 is concave upwards, forming a conical recessed area 306. The top of the spring 405 is movably embedded in the recessed area 306, and the movable base plate 308 presses against the spring 405 from top to bottom. Because the top of the spring 405 presses against the movable base plate 308 and forms the recessed area 306, the top of the spring 405 can adjust itself during the extension and retraction process, preventing the movable cylinder 300 from getting stuck, thereby ensuring the smooth movement of the movable cylinder 300 and the normal operation of the system.
[0031] In this embodiment, a combustible gas sensor for monitoring the concentration of combustible gas is installed in the liquid collection chamber 201, and the combustible gas sensor is electrically connected to the controller. Thus, the combustible gas concentration in the liquid collection chamber 201 can be monitored in real time using the combustible gas sensor. Once the concentration of combustible gas exceeds the standard due to methanol volatilization, it can be promptly reported to the controller, which can then take corresponding measures, such as closing the filling valve 102 or activating the ventilation equipment, effectively preventing safety accidents caused by methanol leakage and improving the safety and reliability of the entire system.
[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A liquid collection structure suitable for use in a methanol filling station for a ship and reducing methanol evaporation, characterized in that The application relates to a methanol liquid storage tank arranged on a ship and a liquid collecting base arranged on the ship, wherein the liquid storage tank is provided with a liquid outlet, a filling pipe connected with a filling hose is arranged on the liquid outlet, and a filling valve is arranged on the filling pipe; when the filling valve is closed, the filling pipe is separated from the liquid storage tank; when the filling valve is opened, the filling pipe is communicated with the liquid storage tank. The liquid collecting base is provided with a liquid collecting cavity, the bottom of the liquid collecting base is provided with a liquid outlet, the middle of the liquid collecting cavity is provided with a fixing cylinder, the fixing cylinder is surrounded by a fixing cavity, the top of the liquid collecting cavity is covered by a top plate arranged in a ring shape, the outer side of the top plate is connected with the top of the liquid collecting base, and the inner side of the top plate is connected with the top of the fixing cylinder. The bottom of the fixing cylinder is provided with a fixing bottom plate arranged in a suspended mode, the upper part of the fixing cylinder is provided with an upper part section arranged in a closed mode, and the lower part of the fixing cylinder is provided with a lower part section, and the outer periphery of the lower part section is provided with a plurality of fixing through holes. The fixing cavity is provided with a movable cylinder arranged in an up-and-down movable mode, the movable cylinder is surrounded by a movable cavity with a top opening, the top opening extends above the liquid collecting base and is located directly below the filling pipe, the bottom of the movable cylinder is provided with a movable bottom plate, the movable bottom plate is located above the fixing bottom plate, a spring is arranged between the movable bottom plate and the fixing bottom plate, and the outer periphery of the movable cylinder is provided with a plurality of movable through holes. A displacement sensor is arranged on the movable cylinder, the displacement sensor is electrically connected with a controller, the controller is wirelessly communicated with a control center through a communication element, and the controller controls the opening and closing of the filling valve. Methanol liquid leaked from the filling pipe enters the movable cavity through the top opening, when the weight of the methanol liquid in the movable cavity exceeds a set weight, the spring is compressed, the movable cylinder moves downward relative to the fixing cylinder, the movable bottom plate moves into the lower part section, the movable through holes are communicated with the fixing through holes, and the methanol liquid in the movable cavity sequentially passes through the movable through holes and the fixing through holes and enters the liquid collecting cavity. When the gravity of the methanol liquid in the movable cavity is lower than the set weight, the movable bottom plate is located in the upper part section, the movable through holes of the movable cylinder are closed by the upper part section, and the movable through holes are closed in dislocation with the fixing through holes.
2. The liquid collection structure suitable for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the top opening is provided with an expanding ring in an annular expanding shape, the lower end of the expanding ring is butted against the outer periphery of the top opening, and the upper end of the expanding ring extends upward; along the direction from the lower end to the upper end of the expanding ring, the expanding ring is arranged in an outward expanding and tilting mode.
3. The liquid collection structure suitable for use in a methanol filling station of a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the top opening is provided with a contracting ring in an annular contracting shape, the contracting ring is arranged in the movable cavity, the upper end of the contracting ring is butted against the outer periphery of the top opening, and the lower end of the contracting ring extends downward; along the direction from the upper end to the lower end of the contracting ring, the contracting ring is arranged in an inward contracting and tilting mode.
4. The liquid collection structure suitable for use in a methanol filling station of a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to claim 3, characterized in that, The lower end of the contracting ring surrounds a bottom contracting hole in a contracting shape, the bottom contracting hole deviates from the center of the movable cylinder and extends toward the inner side wall of the movable cavity, and the methanol liquid discharged from the bottom contracting hole flows downward along the inner side wall of the movable cavity.
5. A liquid collection structure suitable for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to claim 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the bottom necking is provided with a flow guide made of elastic material, which abuts against the inner side wall of the movable cavity; the methanol liquid discharged from the bottom necking flows along the flow guide and is guided by the flow guide to the inner side wall of the movable cavity.
6. A liquid collecting structure for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The top plate is arranged to be inclined upward along a direction from outside to inside of the top plate, and the top plate encloses an upper cavity.
7. A liquid collecting structure for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The fixed cylinder is located in the upper cavity, and a fixed bottom plate of the fixed cylinder is located above the liquid collecting cavity.
8. A liquid collecting structure for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to any of the claims 1 - 5, characterized in that, The fixed through holes are arranged in a longitudinal straight strip shape and extend along the axial direction of the fixed cylinder, and a plurality of the fixed through holes are arranged in a spaced apart manner around the circumference of the fixed cylinder; the movable through holes are arranged in a transverse straight strip shape and extend along the circumferential direction of the movable cylinder, and a plurality of the movable through holes are arranged in a spaced apart manner around the circumference of the movable cylinder.
9. A liquid collecting structure for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to any of the claims 1 - 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the spring is fixedly connected with the fixed bottom plate, the bottom of the movable bottom plate is recessed upward to form a conical recessed area, the top of the spring is movably embedded in the recessed area, and the movable bottom plate movably abuts against the spring from top to bottom.
10. A liquid collection structure suitable for use in a methanol filling station for a marine vessel and reducing methanol evaporation according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, A combustible gas sensor for monitoring the concentration of combustible gas is arranged in the liquid collecting cavity, and the combustible gas sensor is electrically connected with the controller.