Adjustable oil gas recovery system

Abstract

The utility model discloses an adjustable oil gas recovery system. The system comprises a vacuum pump, a detection unit, a vacuum pump control unit, a vehicle type recognition device and a signal control device. The vacuum pump is configured to be connected with an oil gas recovery pipeline on an oil gun, the detection unit is used for detecting working parameters representing the vacuum pump and sending a vacuum pump state detection signal, the detection unit is connected with the vacuum pump, and the vacuum pump control unit is connected with the vacuum pump and used for adjusting the working parameters of the vacuum pump; the vehicle type recognition device is used for obtaining a vehicle type identifier and outputting a vehicle type detection signal representing the vehicle type identifier, the signal control device is connected with the detection unit, the vacuum pump control unit, the vehicle type recognition device and the oil gun, and the signal control device can reduce working parameters of the vacuum pump based on the vacuum pump state detection signal and the vehicle type detection signal. The adjustable oil-gas recovery system can guarantee normal operation of the vacuum pump of the oil-gas recovery system according to the types of the oil tanks, and overload operation of the vacuum pump is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of oil and gas recovery technology at gas stations, specifically to an adjustable oil and gas recovery system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, vapor recovery systems at gas stations use vapor recovery equipment to collect vapors that evaporate and overflow near the fuel tank opening of vehicles. With increasingly stringent safety and environmental protection requirements, according to the national standard GB20952, the ratio between the volume of recovered vapors and the volume of fuel dispensed (i.e., the gas-liquid ratio in secondary vapor recovery) should be between 1.0 and 1.2. As environmental awareness continues to rise, vehicle emission standards are also constantly being upgraded. Fuel vehicles meeting the China VI B standard are becoming increasingly common, and these vehicles are equipped with corresponding fuel tanks. These fuel tanks are not traditional atmospheric pressure tanks; the vapors inside are absorbed and stored under negative pressure.

[0003] However, existing fuel dispenser vapor recovery systems are primarily designed for traditional atmospheric pressure fuel tanks. These systems effectively remove the vapors that accumulate in the tank due to fuel refueling. In contrast, the China VI B fuel tank is a negative pressure tank with its own vapor collection function. Therefore, when fuel is added to a China VI B tank using an existing fuel dispenser nozzle, both the vapor collection device in the tank and the vapor recovery system on the nozzle compete for the vapors. This makes it difficult for the nozzle's vapor recovery system to control the vapor-to-liquid ratio (1-1.2), and the vacuum pump in the vapor recovery system will increase its power when encountering resistance, potentially causing it to overload. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve at least one technical problem existing in the prior art, one object of this application is to provide an adjustable oil and gas recovery system that can ensure the normal operation of the vacuum pump of the oil and gas recovery system according to the type of oil tank and prevent the vacuum pump from overloaded.

[0005] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] An adjustable vapor recovery system includes: a vacuum pump, a detection unit, a vacuum pump control unit, a vehicle model identification device, and a signal control device. The vacuum pump is configured to be connected to a vapor recovery line on a fuel dispenser. The detection unit is used to detect and characterize the operating parameters of the vacuum pump and to send a vacuum pump status detection signal. The detection unit is connected to the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump control unit is connected to the vacuum pump and is used to adjust the operating parameters of the vacuum pump. The vehicle model identification device is used to acquire a vehicle model identifier and output a vehicle model detection signal characterizing the vehicle model identifier. The signal control device is connected to the detection unit, the vacuum pump control unit, the vehicle model identification device, and the fuel dispenser. The signal control device can reduce the operating parameters of the vacuum pump based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal.

[0007] In one preferred embodiment, the vehicle model recognition device includes: a vehicle registration unit and an image acquisition unit for collecting license plate information, wherein the vehicle registration unit queries and outputs a signal representing the vehicle model based on the license plate information.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle model recognition device further includes: a manual input unit connected to the signal control device, wherein the manual input unit outputs a trigger signal based on a trigger action, and the signal control device reduces the operating parameters of the vacuum pump based on at least one of the signals issued by the vehicle registration unit and the manual input unit.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the signal control device shuts down the vacuum pump when preset conditions are met, based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the manual input unit can be any of the following forms: button, touch screen, scanner, or keyboard.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the detection unit and the vacuum pump control unit are integrated into a vacuum pump control board.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the signal control device sends a first working signal to the vacuum pump control unit based on the refueling flow rate of the refueling nozzle, adjusting the vacuum pump to operate according to the first working parameters. The signal control device sends a second working signal to the vacuum pump control unit based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal, adjusting the vacuum pump to operate at the second working parameters. The second working parameters are lower than the first working parameters, and the working parameters include any one of the following: speed and power.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the system also includes an oil tank.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the oil tank is a negative pressure oil tank, and the negative pressure oil tank is equipped with an oil and gas collection device.

[0015] Beneficial effects:

[0016] The adjustable vapor recovery system provided in this application detects the operating parameters of the vacuum pump and sends a vacuum pump status detection signal when the fuel nozzle refuels the fuel tank. This allows the system to adjust the vacuum pump's status when its operating parameters exceed normal operating conditions, thus preventing overload operation. To avoid misjudgment, the system incorporates a vehicle model recognition device. The vehicle model detection signal output by this device, combined with the vacuum pump status detection signal, determines whether the vacuum pump malfunction is caused by a negative pressure fuel tank. Therefore, the adjustable vapor recovery system provided in this application can accurately identify the type of fuel tank, primarily targeting China VI B fuel tanks, ensuring a consistent vapor-liquid ratio under different operating conditions.

[0017] Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, indicating how the principles of the present invention can be adopted. It should be understood that the scope of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0018] Features described and / or illustrated for one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0019] It should be emphasized that the term "including / comprises" as used herein refers to the presence of a feature, whole, step, or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, wholes, steps, or components. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 The diagram shown is a structural schematic of an adjustable oil and gas recovery system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 2 The diagram shown is a circuit diagram of an adjustable oil and gas recovery system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0024] 1. Vacuum pump; 2. Vacuum pump control board; 21. Detection unit; 22. Vacuum pump control unit; 3. Fuel nozzle; 4. Signal control device; 5. Feedback loop; 6. License plate recognition module; 61. Vehicle registration unit; 62. Image acquisition unit; 7. Manual input unit; 8. Fuel tank. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this utility model, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0027] This manual provides an adjustable oil and gas recovery system, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the system includes: a vacuum pump 1, a detection unit 21, a vacuum pump control unit 22, a vehicle model identification device, and a signal control device 4. The vacuum pump 1 is configured to be connected to the oil vapor recovery pipeline on the fuel nozzle 3. The detection unit 21 is used to detect the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 and send a vacuum pump status detection signal. The detection unit 21 is connected to the vacuum pump 1. The vacuum pump control unit 22 is connected to the vacuum pump 1 and is used to adjust the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1. The vehicle model identification device is used to acquire the vehicle model identification and output a vehicle model detection signal representing the vehicle model identification. The signal control device 4 is connected to the detection unit 21, the vacuum pump control unit 22, the vehicle model identification device, and the fuel nozzle 3. The signal control device 4 can reduce the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal.

[0028] Existing gas station fuel dispensers are all equipped with vapor recovery systems. These systems typically include a vapor recovery line on the fuel nozzle, a vacuum pump connected to the line, and other supporting components such as a module to control the vacuum pump, a storage tank for storing the recovered vapors, and a metering module to measure the recovered vapors. When the fuel dispenser starts dispensing fuel, the vacuum pump also starts working simultaneously. While the fuel nozzle is filling the tank, the vacuum pump extracts vapors from the tank through the vapor recovery line. To meet the standard vapor-to-liquid ratio of 1-1.2, the returned vapor volume is controlled to be 1-1.2 times the amount of fuel dispensed. To achieve this, the vacuum pump's operating parameters are set to match the fuel flow rate of the fuel nozzle. For example, the vacuum pump control unit receives a matching number of fuel pulses based on the fuel flow rate, thus performing vapor recovery simultaneously with dispensing and ensuring that the vapor-to-liquid ratio remains between 1-1.2 after dispensing.

[0029] The above describes the operation of a vapor recovery system for traditional atmospheric pressure fuel tanks. However, when the fuel tank is a negative pressure tank compliant with the China VI B standard, it is often equipped with a vapor collection device. This means that the tank automatically recovers vapors during refueling. When the fuel dispenser's vapor recovery system is operating, the vapor collection device and vacuum pump compete for vapors from the tank, causing the vacuum pump to become unable to draw them in. In this case, the vacuum pump's operating parameters need to be reduced to ensure normal operation. It should be noted that when the fuel tank is a negative pressure tank compliant with the China VI B standard, because it automatically recovers vapors, the vacuum pump does not need to operate according to the standard operating parameters set at a vapor-liquid ratio of 1-1.2.

[0030] The adjustable vapor recovery system provided in this specification detects the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 and sends a vacuum pump status detection signal when the fuel nozzle 3 refuels the fuel tank 8. This allows the system to adjust the vacuum pump 1's status when its operating parameters exceed normal operating conditions, thus preventing overload operation. To avoid misjudgment, the system includes a vehicle model recognition device. The vehicle model detection signal output by this device, combined with the vacuum pump status detection signal, determines whether the vacuum pump malfunction is caused by a negative pressure fuel tank. Therefore, the adjustable vapor recovery system provided in this application can accurately identify the fuel tank type, primarily for China VI B fuel tanks, ensuring a consistent vapor-liquid ratio under different operating conditions.

[0031] The detection unit 21 detects and characterizes the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 and sends a vacuum pump status detection signal. The operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 can be its power, rotational speed, or operating current, thereby determining whether the operating state of the vacuum pump 1 significantly exceeds normal operating conditions. At this time, the vacuum pump control unit 22 determines whether the vacuum pump is in an abnormal operating condition based on its operating state. The vacuum pump control unit 22 can be set to output a vacuum pump status detection signal when an abnormal operating condition is detected, and feed this signal back to the signal control device 4. The signal control device 4 can adjust the state of the vacuum pump 1 based on the feedback vacuum pump status detection signal. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the vacuum pump control unit 22 is set to provide real-time feedback on the vacuum pump's operating state, i.e., real-time feedback of the vacuum pump status detection signal. When the operating state of the vacuum pump 1 exceeds normal operating conditions, the signal control device 4 adjusts the vacuum pump control unit 22, thereby adjusting the state of the vacuum pump 1.

[0032] In this specification, the signal control device 4 adjusts the state of vacuum pump 1 in two ways: reducing the operating parameters of vacuum pump 1 and shutting down the vacuum pump. When the signal control device 4 receives the vacuum pump state detection signal output from the vacuum pump control unit 22 and determines that the operating state of vacuum pump 1 exceeds the normal operating conditions, the state of vacuum pump 1 should be adjusted. However, the reason why the operating state of vacuum pump 1 exceeds the normal operating conditions may not be due to the type of fuel tank. For example, when the oil vapor recovery pipeline is blocked, it will also cause vacuum pump 1 to experience resistance, causing the operating parameters of vacuum pump 1 to exceed the normal operating conditions. In this case, simply reducing the operating parameters of vacuum pump 1 cannot solve the problem, and it is also impossible to guarantee that the oil vapor recovery amount reaches a certain standard after refueling. Therefore, it is necessary to combine other methods to determine whether the operating state of vacuum pump 1 exceeds the normal operating conditions due to the type of fuel tank.

[0033] This specification further includes a vehicle model recognition device, which acquires the vehicle model identifier and outputs a vehicle model detection signal representing the vehicle model identifier. The signal control device 4 reduces the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 based on the vehicle model detection signal and the vacuum pump status detection signal. That is, the signal control device 4 determines whether it is necessary to reduce the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 based at least on the vehicle model detection signal. Therefore, the signal control device 4 establishes a feedback loop 5 between the detection unit 21, the vehicle model recognition device, and the vacuum pump control unit 22 to determine whether it is necessary to reduce the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 based on the vehicle model detection signal and the vacuum pump status detection signal.

[0034] Specifically, the signal control device 4 sends a first working signal to the vacuum pump control unit 22 based on the refueling flow rate of the refueling nozzle 3, adjusting the vacuum pump 1 to operate according to the first working parameters. The signal control device 4 sends a second working signal to the vacuum pump control unit 22 based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal, adjusting the vacuum pump 1 to operate according to the second working parameters. The second working parameters are lower than the first working parameters. The working parameters include any one of the following: speed and power.

[0035] In one application scenario, when the fuel nozzle is refueling fuel tank 8, the system cannot immediately identify the type of fuel tank. The signal control device 4 still sends the number of refueling pulses to the vacuum pump control unit 22 according to the refueling flow rate of the fuel nozzle 3. The vacuum pump control unit 22 controls the operating power of the vacuum pump 1 based on the received number of refueling pulses. If the fuel tank 8 is a negative pressure tank, the suction resistance of the vacuum pump 1 will increase significantly due to the negative pressure inside the tank. The signal control device 4 will reduce the number of pulses sent to the vacuum pump control unit 22 based on the vehicle model detection signal and the vacuum pump status detection signal to 20% of the actual number of pulses. This will reduce the power and speed of the vacuum pump 1, ultimately reducing the actual gas-liquid ratio to about 0.2, effectively preventing the oil vapor recovery vacuum pump from overloading.

[0036] In some implementations, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle model recognition device includes a license plate recognition module 6 for recognizing vehicle models. The license plate recognition module 6 includes a vehicle registration unit 61 and an image acquisition unit 62 for collecting license plate information. The vehicle registration unit 61 queries and outputs a signal representing the vehicle model based on the license plate information.

[0037] In this embodiment, the image acquisition unit 62 can be a vehicle recognition camera installed within the gas station. This vehicle recognition camera can correspond to each fuel dispenser. When a vehicle approaches a fuel dispenser to refuel, the vehicle recognition camera captures the license plate information and transmits it to the vehicle registration unit 61. The vehicle registration unit 61 verifies whether the vehicle is registered. If it is registered, it determines whether the license plate information corresponds to a China VI B fuel tank and outputs the corresponding vehicle model detection signal. The vehicle model detection signal can be a signal with a preset vehicle model identifier. For example, different preset identifiers can be set for traditional fuel tanks and China VI B fuel tanks, allowing the signal control device 4 to determine whether it is a China VI B fuel tank. Alternatively, the vehicle registration unit 61, based on the registered vehicle information in the system, issues a vehicle model detection signal after determining that the license plate information corresponds to a China VI B fuel tank.

[0038] It should be noted that the vehicle registration unit 61 can store historical license plate information and record the fuel tank data corresponding to that license plate information, but only for license plates that have been registered at this gas station. For license plates that have not been registered at this gas station, the vehicle registration unit 61 will not be able to find the license plate information.

[0039] Therefore, in this specification, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the vehicle model recognition device further includes: a manual input unit 7, which is connected to the signal control device 4. The manual input unit 7 outputs a trigger signal based on a trigger action, and the signal control device 4 reduces the operating parameters of the vacuum pump 1 based on at least one of the signals issued by the vehicle registration unit 61 and the manual input unit 7.

[0040] In this embodiment, the addition of the manual input unit 7 is mainly for vehicles that have not been registered at this gas station. The gas station attendant can ask the driver if the vehicle has a China VI B fuel tank. When it is confirmed to be a China VI B fuel tank, the manual input unit 7 is triggered to generate a corresponding signal and feed it back to the signal control device 4. The signal control device 4 then reduces the number of pulses sent to the vacuum pump control unit 22 based on the signal.

[0041] In this specification, the signal control device 4 shuts down the vacuum pump 1 when a preset condition is met, based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal. The preset condition is that the signal control device 4 determines that the fuel tank is a China VI B fuel tank based on the vehicle model detection signal, but also determines that the vacuum pump 1 is in an abnormal operating condition based on the vacuum pump status detection signal.

[0042] In this embodiment, if the vacuum pump 1 is determined to be in an abnormal operating condition based solely on the vacuum pump status detection signal, without identifying the China VI B fuel tank, then the preset condition is met. In this case, the vacuum pump 1 may be in an abnormal operating condition due to other special reasons, such as blockage of the vapor recovery pipeline, thus requiring pump shutdown. Furthermore, when a vehicle that has not been registered at this gas station is stopped because the gas station attendant forgets to trigger the manual input unit 7, the preset condition is also met; that is, the signal control device 4 fails to identify it as a China VI B fuel tank, and the pump will also be stopped, thus helping the gas station attendant further investigate the cause of the malfunction. However, if the fuel tank 8 is a traditional atmospheric pressure fuel tank, and there are no other malfunctions, the signal control device 4 fails to identify both the China VI B fuel tank and the vacuum pump 1 as being in an abnormal operating condition, then the vacuum pump 1 will still operate according to the working parameters matched to the refueling flow rate.

[0043] Furthermore, the signal control device 4 can also establish an automatic recording mechanism for the vehicle registration unit 61 based on the trigger signal output by the manual input unit 7, thereby automatically supplementing the vehicle's license plate information and fuel tank type to the vehicle registration unit 61, so that the oil and gas recovery system can automatically identify the vehicle model when refueling the vehicle next time.

[0044] Specifically, the manual input unit 7 can be any of the following forms: button, touch screen, scanner, or keyboard. This application does not impose any particular limitation on the specific form of the input unit. In this specification, the detection unit 21 and the vacuum pump control unit 22 can also be integrated into a vacuum pump control board 2, which has both detection and independent control functions.

[0045] In this application, the control unit / module / device is configured to receive signals and issue commands to regulate the operation of various devices. The control unit / module / device may take the form of, for example, a microprocessor or processor and a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable program code (e.g., software or firmware) executable by the microprocessor or processor, logic gates, switches, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and embedded microcontroller units (MCUs).

[0046] It should be understood that the above description is for illustrative purposes and not for limitation. Many embodiments and applications beyond the provided examples will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the above description. Therefore, the scope of this teaching should not be determined by reference to the above description, but rather by reference to the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. For purposes of completeness, all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated herein by reference. The omission of any aspect of the subject matter disclosed herein in the preceding claims is not intended as a waiver of that subject matter, nor should it be considered that the inventor has not considered that subject matter as part of the disclosed inventive subject matter.

Claims

1. An adjustable oil and gas recovery system, characterized in that, The system includes: a vacuum pump, a detection unit, a vacuum pump control unit, a vehicle model identification device, and a signal control device. The vacuum pump is configured to be connected to the vapor recovery line on the refueling nozzle. The detection unit is used to detect and characterize the operating parameters of the vacuum pump and to send a vacuum pump status detection signal. The detection unit is connected to the vacuum pump. The vacuum pump control unit is connected to the vacuum pump and is used to adjust the operating parameters of the vacuum pump. The vehicle model identification device is used to acquire the vehicle model identifier and output a vehicle model detection signal characterizing the vehicle model identifier. The signal control device is connected to the detection unit, the vacuum pump control unit, the vehicle model identification device, and the refueling nozzle. The signal control device can reduce the operating parameters of the vacuum pump based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal.

2. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle model recognition device includes a vehicle registration unit and an image acquisition unit for collecting license plate information. The vehicle registration unit queries and outputs a signal representing the vehicle model based on the license plate information.

3. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The vehicle model recognition device further includes: a manual input unit connected to the signal control device, wherein the manual input unit outputs a trigger signal based on a trigger action, and the signal control device reduces the operating parameters of the vacuum pump based on at least one of the signals issued by the vehicle registration unit and the manual input unit.

4. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The signal control device shuts down the vacuum pump when preset conditions are met, based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal.

5. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The manual input unit can be any of the following: button, touch screen, scanner, or keyboard.

6. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The detection unit and the vacuum pump control unit are integrated into a vacuum pump control board.

7. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The signal control device sends a first working signal to the vacuum pump control unit based on the refueling flow rate of the refueling nozzle, adjusting the vacuum pump to operate according to the first working parameters. The signal control device sends a second working signal to the vacuum pump control unit based on the vacuum pump status detection signal and the vehicle model detection signal, adjusting the vacuum pump to operate according to the second working parameters. The second working parameters are lower than the first working parameters. The working parameters include any one of the following: speed and power.

8. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a fuel tank.

9. The adjustable oil and gas recovery system as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The oil tank is a negative pressure oil tank, and the negative pressure oil tank is equipped with an oil and gas collection device.

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