Filling method with optimized scheduling

Abstract

The invention relates to a filling method of a filling installation comprising the steps of receiving a set of tasks to be executed and a set of resources to be used, calculating an adjusted availability duration, selecting available resources corresponding to the resources to be used, and selecting the tasks to be executed and at least one manufacturing order so as to select from said at least one manufacturing order the whole set of tasks to be executed, defining a complete execution order of at least two selected tasks to be executed so that for each selected task to be executed in the selected manufacturing order, the duration for executing said selected task to be executed is less than or equal to the availability duration of the associated resource and complies with said predefined execution order, filling at least a part of the available containers according to the complete execution order. The invention also relates to a filling system for pressurized fluid containers.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a filling method for optimizing the scheduling of filling tasks, and more particularly, to a method for filling containers intended to contain pressurized fluids. The invention also relates to a filling system. Background Technology

[0002] Examples of various methods for filling containers intended to contain pressurized fluids are known in the prior art.

[0003] Application EP2005057A1 discloses an example of a filling method. This method enables at least one compressed gas container to be filled with at least one gas to form a reference compressed gas container, wherein at least one measurement parameter related to the state within the reference compressed gas container can be measured. Therefore, this method allows for the generation of gas mixtures with high precision. In contrast, this method cannot manage a set of filling operations or optimize the use of resources required for filling.

[0004] Application FR3136831A1 also discloses a filling method for filling gas cylinders, which allows for the filling of a batch of identical gas cylinders. This filling method is not suitable for filling equipment that requires a filling method for different containers (e.g., containers with different capacities). This method is also unsuitable for filling equipment that must use multiple gases or gas mixtures. Furthermore, this prior art method does not allow for the optimization of equipment resources, such as filling manifolds or filling tools.

[0005] Application FR2811909A1 also discloses a method for filling gas cylinders in a gas conditioning device having multiple branch gas lines. This prior art method does not seek to optimize the scheduling of the filling operation. Furthermore, this prior art method does not optimize the use of equipment resources, such as filling manifolds or filling tools.

[0006] Users of filling methods may have to manage a large number of resources during the filling operation, such as a large number of containers, a large amount of gas, or a large number of tools present at the conditioning / filling center. Furthermore, each filling operation involves various operations / tasks. Users may make incorrect decisions during the filling operation. Sometimes, these decisions can lead to delivery delays or errors, such as using the wrong tools or the wrong containers. No existing method takes into account the above constraints and allows for the simple implementation of a filling method involving multiple operations / tasks and multiple resources. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The present invention aims to overcome the shortcomings of existing methods by proposing a filling method that allows a set of tasks with multiple resources to be executed in a simple and optimized manner.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention relates to a filling method for a filling device, the device comprising a set of available resources, the set of available resources including:

[0009] -At least one available first fluid source

[0010] - Can be used to fill multiple containers,

[0011] - At least one fluid transfer loop is available, the fluid transfer loop being designed to be fluidly connected to a container via a first end and to the at least one first fluid source via a second end, so as to allow at least a portion of the plurality of containers to be filled with fluid.

[0012] The filling method includes the following steps:

[0013] -a) Receive descriptive data for population, which includes:

[0014] - Multiple manufacturing orders, each defining a set of tasks to be executed in a predefined execution order.

[0015] - The duration for executing each pending task.

[0016] - A set of resources referred to as resources to be used, the set of resources including at least one first fluid source to be used (1), at least one container to be used, at least one fluid transfer loop to be used (3), each resource to be used being capable of performing at least one task to be performed for at least partially filling multiple containers to be used.

[0017] -Availability duration for each available resource.

[0018] - An adjustment index in the range of 0 to 1 for each resource to be used;

[0019] -b) Calculate the adjusted availability duration for each available resource. The adjusted availability duration is equal to the availability duration multiplied by the adjustment index.

[0020] -c) Select an available resource corresponding to the resource to be used, select a task to be performed using the available resource referred to as the selected available resource, and select at least one manufacturing order to select a complete set of tasks to be performed from the at least one manufacturing order;

[0021] -d) Define the complete execution order of at least two selected tasks to be executed, so that:

[0022] - For each selected task to be executed in a selected manufacturing order, the duration of executing the selected task is less than or equal to the availability duration of the relevant resources.

[0023] - Conforms to the predefined execution order;

[0024] -e) Fill at least a portion of the available containers among the plurality of available containers according to the complete execution order.

[0025] Depending on the specific circumstances, the present invention may include one or more of the following features:

[0026] Step a) includes identifying: at least one pending task in execution, available resources for executing the pending task in execution, a duration called the remaining duration for completing the pending task in execution, and configuring the adjustment index of at least one available resource in the set of available resources to be less than 1, provided that the remaining duration is not 0.

[0027] Step a) includes identifying: the set of tasks to be executed in the process of fulfilling the selected manufacturing order, the resources available for executing the set of tasks to be executed in the process of fulfilling the selected manufacturing order, the duration of each task in the set of tasks to be executed, referred to as the remaining duration, and the adjustment index of the available resources is configured to be less than 1 as long as the remaining duration is not 0.

[0028] Step a) includes receiving the predetermined planned duration, and step d) defines the execution order within the predetermined planned duration.

[0029] The method of the present invention includes step d): determining the remaining availability duration for each selected available resource, each remaining availability duration being equal to the availability duration of each selected available resource minus the sum of the durations of executing the at least two tasks to be executed using each selected available resource, and the method includes step e): repeating steps b), c) and d) such that the remaining availability duration of each selected available resource is minimized.

[0030] The relative difference between the durations of two available resources, at least referred to as the remaining duration, is less than 5%.

[0031] Step a) includes receiving a priority indicator for each of the plurality of manufacturing orders, and the execution order conforming to the priority indicator.

[0032] When at least one new available container is added to the group of available resources, the population method is executed.

[0033] The filling method is performed at predetermined intervals ranging from 1 minute to 180 minutes.

[0034] The filling method includes the following steps: sending an ordered list to a visualization device, the ordered list scheduling at least two tasks to be executed and / or selected available resources.

[0035] The filling method includes the following steps: identifying unscheduled manufacturing orders and resources to be used, the resources to be used being suitable for performing tasks to be performed in the unscheduled manufacturing orders, and wherein the filling method includes the following steps: sending a list of unscheduled manufacturing orders and / or a list of resources to be used suitable for performing tasks to be performed in the unscheduled manufacturing orders to a visualization device.

[0036] The priority indicator is indexed to the latest scheduled date for fulfilling the manufacturing order.

[0037] At least one of the available resources in this group, referred to as a shared resource, is configured to execute multiple tasks to be performed simultaneously.

[0038] At least one container includes an identification device, such as an RFID tag, wherein step a) allows the receiving of the descriptive data about the at least one container to be used by means of the identification device.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a filling system for a pressurized fluid container, the filling system comprising an information device, a computer program, and a set of available resources, the set of available resources including at least:

[0040] -First available fluid source

[0041] - Multiple containers that can be used for filling

[0042] - An available fluid transfer loop, designed to be fluidly connected to the container via a first end and to at least one first fluid source via a second end, thereby allowing the container to be filled with fluid.

[0043] The computer program executes the steps of the filling method of the present invention, and the reception of descriptive data in step a) is performed by means of the information device.

[0044] Depending on the specific circumstances, the filling system of the present invention may include one or more of the following features:

[0045] The computer program is configured to perform steps a) to d) using constraint programming. Attached Figure Description

[0046] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description and studying the accompanying drawings. The drawings are given by way of example only and do not limit the invention in any way.

[0047] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a filling device used to implement the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0048] refer to Figure 1 The filling equipment includes a set of available resources. These resources include, for example, a filling manifold 6, a manifold supply tool 5, a pump 4, and a fluid source 1. These resources may also be, for example, containers for containing pressurized gas, such as gas cylinders. Available resources are resources that can be used to perform a task; for example, the filling manifold 6 can be used to perform the task of filling container 2. This set of resources specifically includes at least one first available fluid source 1. The fluid source 1 may be, for example, a gas cylinder, a truck tank, or an air separation unit. The fluid may be a gas selected from oxygen, nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, rare gases, or mixtures of these gases. This set of resources also includes multiple available containers 2 to be filled. These containers 2 may be, for example, empty or half-full. There are at least two containers 2. Container 2 may be, for example, gas cylinders / bodies for regulating pressurized gas. Container 2 may have different pressures; for example, container 2 is a gas cylinder of 50 bar to 300 bar. This set of resources also includes at least one available fluid transfer loop 3. The fluid transfer loop 3 is designed to be fluidly connected to container 2 at a first end and fluidly connected to the at least one first fluid source 1 at a second end. For example, the fluid transfer circuit 3 includes at least one gas delivery line fluidly connected to the source 1, pump 4, tool 5, filling manifold 6, and container 2. Therefore, when container 2 and fluid source 1 are in fluid communication, at least a portion of the plurality of containers can be filled with fluid. This set of resources may include other resources, such as a protective shield for container 3 or a pressure regulating valve.

[0049] The filling equipment can perform a filling method comprising the following steps:

[0050] First, there is step a): receiving descriptive data for performing the population.

[0051] The descriptive data includes, for example, production schedules, i.e., lists of containers to be filled from customer orders or replenishment requests. These lists take the form of manufacturing orders, indicating the number of containers to be filled with a particular gas. Each manufacturing order requires the execution of a certain number of tasks to complete, that is, to ensure that the number of containers indicated on the manufacturing order are filled with the desired fluid. Therefore, this descriptive data includes multiple manufacturing orders. The tasks to be performed are, for example: connecting tool 5 to filling manifold 6 when manifold 6 is in particular moving manifold 6, opening the gas mixture, purging the system or container 2, filling container 2, and disconnecting container 2 from manifold 6.

[0052] These tasks need to be performed in a predefined execution order, that is, in a user-predefined order of the filling method. For example, before container 2 can be filled, the operator must connect container 2 to filling manifold 6. This predefined order can be stored in memory, for example, for each manufacturing order to be fulfilled. Descriptive data includes this predefined order for each manufacturing order.

[0053] The descriptive data also includes the duration for executing each task. Therefore, each task must be executed within a certain duration.

[0054] This descriptive data also includes a set of resources referred to as resources to be used, meaning that the resources in this set are those used to perform each task to be performed in the manufacturing order. This set of resources to be used includes at least one first fluid source 1 to be used, at least one container 2 to be used, and at least one fluid transfer loop 3 to be used. Each resource to be used is capable of performing at least one task to be performed for at least partially filling the plurality of containers to be used. For example, a particular resource may be a resource for a specific task. The oxygen fluid source 3 is used to perform the task of filling container 2 with oxygen. Certain tools 5 may, for example, be configured such that they are compatible only with a specific filling manifold 6.

[0055] This descriptive data also includes the availability duration for each available resource. This duration corresponds to the availability of the resource performing the task. Resource availability can be estimated manually or automatically, or otherwise. For example, the availability duration may be indicated by the user, or it may be calculated based on the nature of the resource.

[0056] These descriptive data also include an adjustment index ranging from 0 to 1 for each resource to be used. This adjustment index allows for the limitation / constraint of the use of said resource. The adjustment index is user-defined; it can vary depending on the resource to be used, for example, depending on whether the resource is container 2 or filling manifold 6. For example, if maintenance operations are planned at the conditioning site, filling manifold 6 or tool 5 is not 100% available. For example, the resource may only be available for part of the planned period. This availability is reduced by, for example, 50%, and therefore the adjustment index is 0.5.

[0057] The filling method then includes step b): calculating the so-called adjusted availability duration for each available resource. The adjusted availability duration is equal to the availability duration multiplied by an adjustment index. This step allows constraints to be imposed on available resources.

[0058] The filling method then includes step c): selecting available resources corresponding to the resources to be used, thus these available resources are selected available resources. Thanks to this selection, the selected available resources are used to select the tasks to be performed. Therefore, only those tasks that can be performed using the selected available resources are selected. This step enables the reduction of user errors, such as starting a task to be performed but which cannot be completed due to resource unavailability. Finally, at least one manufacturing order is selected, thereby selecting the entire set of tasks to be performed in the manufacturing order. Therefore, only those manufacturing orders that can perform all tasks are selected. This step ensures the reliability and quality of the filling. Therefore, it is guaranteed that the manufacturing orders can be completed using these selections. Furthermore, due to this step, container 2 is filled with the gas specified in the manufacturing order, and more specifically, the gas specified in the tasks to be performed. For example, the manufacturing order includes the following tasks to be performed: moving container 2 to manifold 6, connecting carbon dioxide source 3 to pump 4, connecting tool 5 to pump 4 and filling manifold 6, connecting container 2 to filling manifold 6, selecting to fill container 2 with a fluid such as carbon dioxide, disconnecting container 2 from manifold 6, and moving container 2 to the storage area. Other tasks can be performed, such as selecting a gas mixture or a single gas, starting filling, testing the filling, and testing the consistency of the performed filling. If resources are available (e.g., if sufficient carbon dioxide is present in fluid source 1), container 2, manifold 6, tool 5, and pump 4 are available, all tasks pending in the manufacturing order can be performed. All tasks pending in the manufacturing order can be selected.

[0059] Therefore, the filling method includes the step of defining a complete execution order. This complete execution order includes at least two tasks to be executed selected in step c). Each selected task to be executed is also associated with at least one selected available resource, which is referred to as an associated resource.

[0060] The definition step is performed such that, for each selected task to be executed in a selected manufacturing order, the duration for executing the selected task to be executed is less than or equal to the adjusted availability duration of the at least one related resource. Therefore, the capacity of each related resource will not be exceeded. Thus, the user guarantees, for example, that each related resource is available to execute the entire selected task to be executed if the task only requires that resource. For example, if the selected task to be executed requires two related resources, the method ensures that both resources are available to execute the entire selected task.

[0061] Therefore, the defined steps are executed in a predefined execution order. Thus, if a task to be executed is preceded by a prior step, the prior step must be executed before the task to be executed. For example, the prior task to be executed is to connect container 2 to the filling manifold 6, while the task to be executed is to fill container 2. Using the method of the present invention, the user obtains a complete execution order that specifies that the prior task must be executed before the task to be executed. Therefore, the connection from container 2 to manifold 6 is scheduled to occur before the task of filling container 2. This step avoids resource processing errors, thereby avoiding wasted time or filling errors.

[0062] In one embodiment, the method of the present invention may include the step of determining associations between available resources. A first resource is associated with a second resource to perform a task to be performed. For example, a filling manifold 6 is associated with one or more tools 5.

[0063] The filling method then includes the step of filling at least a portion of the available containers 2 according to the complete execution sequence. Therefore, a set of tasks is scheduled in an order that ensures optimal and reliable resource utilization for the user. Furthermore, thanks to the method of the present invention, unnecessary operations are eliminated. For example, all containers 2 connected to the filling manifold 6 are filled. Moreover, thanks to the method of the present invention, there are no errors in resource selection, and therefore the containers 2 are filled with the gas specified in the descriptive data.

[0064] In one embodiment, step a) includes identifying at least one task to be executed in progress, available resources for executing the task to be executed in progress, and a duration called the remaining duration for completing the task to be executed in progress. The adjustment index of at least one available resource in this set of resources to be used is configured to be less than 1 if the remaining duration is not 0. This embodiment makes it possible, for example, to ensure that containers are not added to a filling manifold. For example, this allows the filling manifold to be assigned to a single task. This could be, for example, the case of filling certain gases. Therefore, it is necessary to allocate resources for such filling. Thus, this embodiment allows operators to be assigned tasks. Users of the method of the present invention may wish to perform only one task with a single resource, even if performing two tasks simultaneously is physically possible. In this embodiment, the adjustment index can instead be a virtual task to be executed, which is, for example, allocated to resources to be used within a predetermined time period. For example, a virtual task could be an example of the tasks listed above.

[0065] In one embodiment, step a) includes identifying: the entire set of tasks to be performed in fulfilling a selected manufacturing order, the resources available for performing the set of tasks to be performed in fulfilling the selected manufacturing order, and a duration called the remaining duration for completing each task in the ongoing process of the set of tasks to be performed. The adjustment index of the available resources is configured to be less than 1 if the remaining duration is not 0. This embodiment enables, for example, the assignment of one operator to one manufacturing order. For example, when two manufacturing orders involve the same gas or gas mixture, this embodiment can also assign one operator to two manufacturing orders. This makes it possible to minimize operational errors, thereby ensuring, for example, the quality of the mixture and filling. This embodiment enables the allocation of a set of resources to a single manufacturing order. This could be, for example, the filling of certain gases. Users of the method of the present invention may have reason to want to fulfill only one manufacturing order with certain resources, even if it is actually possible to complete two manufacturing orders simultaneously. It could also be the same tool used to complete a set of manufacturing orders. Therefore, the user saves time, for example, by avoiding the need for multiple setups. In this embodiment, the adjustment index can alternatively be a virtual task to be performed, which is, for example, allocated to resources to be used within a predetermined time period.

[0066] In one embodiment, the set of tasks includes the following two items: connecting the fluid transfer circuit 3 to the container 2 or the first fluid source 1, purging the container 2, filling the container 2, and disconnecting the fluid transfer circuit 3 from the container 2 or the first fluid source 1.

[0067] In one embodiment, step a) of the method includes receiving a predetermined planned duration. This predetermined planned duration is the length of time during which the tasks to be performed can be executed. It is set by a user, for example, through a human-machine interface; the planned duration may be stored in memory by a filling device. For example, the user might want to plan for forty-eight hours, or a week, or even a month. Next, during step c), a complete execution sequence is defined within this predetermined planned duration. Therefore, the complete execution sequence includes tasks that can be performed during the predetermined planned duration.

[0068] In one embodiment, step a) of the method includes receiving a priority indicator for each of a plurality of manufacturing orders. This priority indicator is, for example, set by a user and stored in memory by a filling device. In one embodiment, the priority indicator is indexed to a predetermined latest date for fulfilling the manufacturing order. In other words, the priority indicator can be the latest completion date. Therefore, a manufacturing order scheduled to be completed before March 31, year N, takes precedence over another manufacturing order scheduled to be completed before April 30, year N. The defined complete execution order conforms to the priority indicator, thus scheduling tasks to be executed in such a way that the manufacturing order to be completed first is fulfilled before another / other manufacturing order.

[0069] In another embodiment, the method includes an additional step of determining the so-called remaining availability duration for each selected available resource. The remaining availability duration is equal to the availability duration of each selected available resource minus the sum of the durations used to execute the task to be performed using each selected available resource. Therefore, for the task to be performed, resource usage is estimated when available resources have been allocated, i.e., selected. The remaining capacity is then defined as the availability duration of the resource after deducting the execution duration. The method also includes repeating steps b) and c) and the step of determining the remaining availability duration. This repetition is performed such that the remaining availability duration of each selected available resource is minimized. In this way, the filling method optimizes resource usage while allowing for maximum resource utilization. For each available resource of the device, the availability duration is the duration for which the resource can be used. For example, one available resource might be available for eight hours a day, while another available resource might be available for five hours. Therefore, if the task to be performed requires one resource or one hour of another resource, the filling method of the present invention preferentially uses the resource with the shorter remaining availability duration that is not after a complete execution sequence has been defined. In one embodiment, it is a calculated amount of availability, such as the amount of fluid from source 3, expressed as pressure. Therefore, the remaining availability is calculated. Therefore, the method of the present invention ensures optimal use of the fluid source 3. This, for example, avoids the need to move containers. Furthermore, the method ensures that the selected resources are sufficient to perform the filling.

[0070] In one embodiment, the relative difference between the durations of two available resources, at least referred to as the remaining duration, is less than a predetermined percentage. Therefore, it is possible to balance the load on the resources. For example, this can prevent one tool from wearing out prematurely compared to another. This embodiment makes it possible, for example, for two operators to have the same workload.

[0071] In one embodiment, the steps of the filling method are performed when at least one new available container is added to the group of available resources. For example, a new container may be transported to a filling center that is performing a task scheduled according to the filling method. Specifically, at the filling center, baskets of gas cylinders or individual gas cylinders are transported. Thus, these gas cylinders are in transit, for example, returning from a customer. Systems capable of analyzing the presence of these containers in transit or any other resources may also exist at the filling center. Thus, these detection systems can detect the presence of new containers on site. These systems are, for example, image processing systems that process images from cameras located at the filling center / filling site. These systems enable, for example, to update descriptive data once they detect a new container. Furthermore, at the filling site, there may be both sorted containers and unsorted containers, i.e., containers whose status has not yet been verified. There may also be containers whose volume or gas content is unknown to the user. Therefore, unsorted containers cannot be used to perform the tasks to be performed. Once a container, such as a gas cylinder, is sorted, it is added to the group of available resources. For example, once sorted, an operator can scan the gas cylinder intended for fluid conditioning. Once a new gas cylinder is scanned, the information is transmitted to an information device that updates the descriptive data. Then, the entire set of steps of the method of the present invention is executed. Therefore, the maximum number of tasks to be performed is scheduled to allow the maximum number of containers 2 to be filled.

[0072] In one embodiment, the steps of the filling method are executed at a predetermined cycle of at least once a day. In one embodiment, the steps of the filling method are executed at a predetermined cycle of at least twice a day. In one embodiment, the steps of the filling method are executed at a predetermined cycle of at least once every three hours. In one embodiment, the steps of the filling method are executed at a predetermined cycle ranging from 1 minute to 180 minutes. Therefore, users can ensure optimal optimization of their resource usage. For example, in the event of quality problems, resource damage, or maintenance operations on selected available resources, updates to the complete execution sequence can take into account updates to available resources. Furthermore, this method of executing the steps of the method at predetermined cycles allows for optimal management of the filling method, thereby allowing the fulfillment of the maximum number of manufacturing orders and thus allowing the filling of the maximum number of containers 2.

[0073] In one embodiment, the scheduling method may also allow for updates as needed or after an incident, i.e., the entire set of steps of the method of the invention can be executed. For example, when a new resource different from container 2 becomes available, or when a new manufacturing order is introduced, or if there are sufficient resources available to perform the tasks to be performed. Therefore, the complete execution sequence is optimized, and in particular, resource utilization is optimized, resulting in very little idle time spent waiting to use these resources. Furthermore, the scheduling method of the invention allows the scheduling plan, i.e., the complete execution sequence, to be optimally adjusted to optimize resource utilization, and thus maximize the number of containers filled. Additionally, the user can obtain real-time information about possible plans for operations and tasks to be performed. This ensures the operational feasibility of the production plan, i.e., the feasibility of fulfilling manufacturing orders.

[0074] In one embodiment, step a) includes identifying: at least one task to be executed in an ongoing process, available resources for executing the task to be executed in the ongoing process, and a duration, referred to as the remaining duration, for completing the task to be executed in the ongoing process. The availability duration of each selected available resource is reduced by the remaining duration for completing the task to be executed in the ongoing process. When the population method begins, the task to be executed is being performed in the conditioning center, so it is necessary to calculate the remaining capacity of each resource associated with the task. This remaining capacity, i.e., the newly calculated availability duration, is also incorporated into the descriptive data.

[0075] In one embodiment, the method includes the step of sending an ordered list to a visualization device, the ordered list scheduling at least two tasks to be performed and / or selected available resources. The visualization device is, for example, a computer screen. This step makes it possible to visualize the tasks to be performed and the complete execution sequence generated by the population method. Therefore, users can adjust their equipment as quickly as possible to conform to the schedule, thereby optimizing resource utilization in terms of capacity. In one embodiment, the ability to visualize tasks to be performed also allows for real-time monitoring of production by displaying a list of tasks already performed and, consequently, a list of fulfilled manufacturing orders. In another embodiment, this visualization also makes it possible to determine whether resources are being used or about to be used. For example, this makes it possible to avoid resource handling errors.

[0076] In one embodiment, the filling method includes the steps of: identifying unscheduled manufacturing orders and resources available for use, the resources being suitable for performing tasks pending in the unscheduled manufacturing orders. The method also includes sending a list of unscheduled manufacturing orders and / or a list of resources available for use suitable for performing tasks pending in the unscheduled manufacturing orders to a visualization device. For example, the resource list may allow a user to plan a priority search for the listed resources, such as through a sorting step. Specifically, unscheduled manufacturing orders still need to be scheduled and fulfilled as part of the filling center's production organization. If resources are lacking, the user needs to use this sorting step to find them. In one embodiment, the resource list is sorted using a priority indicator. For example, the list may indicate a specific container 2 to the user. The order of the list allows the user to perform sorting to ensure the availability of resources for filling. In one embodiment, the definition step is performed in such a way that the number of manufacturing orders or the number of unscheduled tasks pending are minimized.

[0077] For example, the sorting step in sorting container 2 can also ensure, for instance, that the resources are suitable for a new filling operation. For example, the resources are free from defects and damage. Sorting includes steps such as visual inspection or non-destructive testing, followed by a step of grouping the sorted, usable resources together. For example, the operator groups together those resources intended for filling the same fluid or fluid mixture. Sorting can be performed manually or through a semi-automatic system.

[0078] In one embodiment, at least one available resource in this group is referred to as a shared resource. This shared resource is configured to execute multiple tasks concurrently. For example... Figure 1 As shown, pump 4 or tool 5 can, for example, perform two different filling tasks depending on its configuration. Pump 4 (or tool 5) can be connected to two different manifolds 6. Pump 4 (or tool 5) is thus able to supply at least partially to both filling manifolds 6. Container 2 connected to the filling manifolds 6 is then filled, for example, with different gases or gas mixtures. In another example, two different manufacturing orders define the tasks to be performed, including filling a container with the same gas or gas mixture. If the availability of resources is long enough, the method of the present invention allows pump 4 (or tool 5) to be selected to perform two tasks to be performed simultaneously.

[0079] In one embodiment, at least one container includes an identification device, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and step a) allows the descriptive data about the at least one container 3 to be used to be received by means of the identification device. For example, resources may include identification devices, such as RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) type tags affixed to, for example, gas cylinders. Sensors may also be fixed in place at the filling center; for example, these may be sensors capable of reading identification devices such as RFID tags. Furthermore, in one embodiment, steps a) to c) of the method of the invention are implemented once a new cylindrical container with an RFID tag is added to the set of available resources and detected by an information device.

[0080] The present invention also relates to a filling system for a pressurized fluid container. The filling system includes an information device, a computer program, and a set of available resources, including at least one first available fluid source 1, a plurality of containers 2 available for filling, and an available fluid transfer loop 3 designed to be fluidly connected to the containers 2 via a first end and fluidly connected to the at least one first fluid source 1 via a second end, so as to allow the containers to be filled with fluid. The computer program then performs at least steps a) to d) of the filling method of the present invention. Step a) of receiving descriptive data is performed by means of the information device. In one embodiment, step e) of filling is performed by means of the computer program.

[0081] In one embodiment, the computer program is configured to perform steps a) through c) using constraint programming. Constraint programming is a form of artificial intelligence that allows users to specify conditions that must be satisfied. The program or program solver then searches for the optimal solution that meets these constraints.

[0082] In the method of the present invention, the constraints are, for example:

[0083] - For each selected task to be executed in a selected manufacturing order, the duration for executing the selected task is less than or equal to the availability duration of each selected associated resource.

[0084] - Conforms to the predefined execution order

[0085] -Conforms to priority order, or

[0086] - In line with the planned duration.

[0087] Users can intervene to change the constraints, for example, by using a human-machine interface or HMI that inputs the constraints as instructions into the program implementing the invention. Therefore, steps a) through c) are executed quickly. Most importantly, the complete execution sequence defined in this way best satisfies the one or more of the stated constraints.

Claims

1. A filling method for a filling device, the filling device comprising a set of available resources, the set of available resources including: -At least one first fluid source is available (1), -Can be used for multiple containers to be filled (2), - At least one fluid transfer loop (3) is available, said fluid transfer loop being designed to be fluidly connected to a container (2) via a first end and to the at least one first fluid source (1) via a second end, to allow at least a portion of the plurality of containers to be filled with fluid. The filling method includes the following steps: -a) Receive descriptive data for the filling, the descriptive data including: - Multiple manufacturing orders, each defining a set of tasks to be executed in a predefined execution order. - The duration for executing each pending task. - A set of resources to be used, including at least one first fluid source (1), at least one container (2), and at least one fluid transfer loop (3), each resource being capable of performing at least one task to at least partially fill multiple containers. -Availability duration for each available resource. - An adjustment index in the range of 0 to 1 for each resource to be used; -b) Calculate the adjusted availability duration for each available resource, where the adjusted availability duration is equal to the availability duration multiplied by the adjustment index; -c) Select the available resource corresponding to the resource to be used, select the task to be performed using the available resource referred to as the selected available resource, and select at least one manufacturing order to select the entire set of tasks to be performed from the at least one manufacturing order; -d) Define a complete execution order for at least two selected tasks to be executed, each task to be executed being associated with at least one of the selected available resources called associated resources, so that: - For each selected task to be executed in a selected manufacturing order, the duration for executing the selected task to be executed is less than or equal to the availability duration of the associated resource. - Conforms to the predefined execution order; -e) Fill at least a portion of the available containers (2) according to the complete execution order.

2. The filling method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step a) includes identifying: at least one pending task in execution, available resources for executing the pending task in execution, a duration called the remaining duration for completing the pending task in execution, and configuring the adjustment index of at least one available resource in the set of available resources to be less than 1 as long as the remaining duration is not 0.

3. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Step a) includes identifying: the set of tasks to be executed in the process of fulfilling the selected manufacturing order, the resources available for executing the set of tasks to be executed in the process of fulfilling the selected manufacturing order, the duration of each task in the set of tasks to be executed, referred to as the remaining duration, and the adjustment index of the available resources is configured to be less than 1 as long as the remaining duration is not 0.

4. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, Step a) includes receiving a predetermined planned duration, and step d) defines the execution order within the predetermined planned duration.

5. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The method includes step d): determining the remaining availability duration for each selected available resource, each remaining availability duration being equal to the availability duration of each selected available resource minus the sum of the durations of executing the at least two tasks to be executed using each selected available resource, and the method includes step e): repeating steps b), c), and d) to minimize the remaining availability duration of each selected available resource.

6. The filling method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The relative difference between the durations of two available resources, at least referred to as the remaining duration, is less than 5%.

7. The filling method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Step a) includes receiving a priority indicator for each of the plurality of manufacturing orders, and the execution order conforming to the priority indicator.

8. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The steps of the filling method are executed when at least one new available container is added to the group of available resources.

9. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The filling method is performed at predetermined intervals ranging from 1 minute to 180 minutes.

10. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: sending an ordered list to a visualization device, the ordered list scheduling at least two tasks to be executed and / or the selected available resources.

11. The filling method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The filling method includes the following steps: identifying unscheduled manufacturing orders and resources to be used, the resources to be used being suitable for performing tasks to be performed in the unscheduled manufacturing orders, wherein the filling method includes the following steps: sending to the visualization device a list of the unscheduled manufacturing orders and / or a list of resources to be used suitable for performing tasks to be performed in the unscheduled manufacturing orders.

12. The filling method according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that, The priority indicator is indexed to the latest scheduled date for fulfilling the manufacturing order.

13. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one of the available resources in this group, referred to as a shared resource, is configured to execute multiple pending tasks simultaneously.

14. The filling method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one container includes an identification device, such as an RFID tag, wherein step a) allows the receiving of the descriptive data about the at least one container to be used by means of the identification device.

15. A filling system for a pressurized fluid container, the filling system comprising an information device, a computer program, and a set of available resources, the set of available resources including at least: -At least one first fluid source is available (1), -Can be used for multiple containers to be filled (2), - An available fluid transfer loop (3), the fluid transfer loop being designed to be fluidly connected to the container (2) via a first end and to the at least one first fluid source (1) via a second end, thereby allowing the container to be filled with fluid. The computer program is characterized in that it executes the steps of the filling method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, and the reception of descriptive data in step a) is performed by means of the information device.

16. The filling system for a pressurized fluid container according to claim 14, characterized in that, The computer program is configured to perform steps a) to c) using constraint programming.

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