A carrousel for filling gas cylinders with liquid gas

Abstract

The invention relates to a support assembly for a carrousel for filling liquid gas into gas containers, wherein the support assembly is arranged to receive and support a gas container during operation of the carrousel, wherein the support assembly comprises a frame fixed to the carrousel and a platform arranged for receiving the gas container, wherein the platform is movably arranged relative to the frame.

Description

[0001] 79007PC01

[0002] 1

[0003] A CARROUSEL FOR FILLING GAS CYLINDERS WITH LIQUID GAS

[0004] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The invention relates to systems for filling liquid gas into gas cylinders.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Carrousels are used to receive gas containers and fill them with liquid gas such as liquid petroleum gas while they are transported e.g. to a conveyor for further transportation of filled gas containers. The carrousel may receive the empty gas containers from a conveyor. The gas containers are continuously weighed on an electronic scale during the filling process so that the filling can be stopped in response to the measurements from the electronic scale. The carrousel comprises a plurality of support assemblies, each of them being configured to receive and support one gas container during the filling process.

[0008] Situations may occur where a gas container is moved, e.g. by the conveyor, to a support assembly, but where the support assembly already carries another gas container. This unintended situation may lead to some jamming and consequently high loads on the support assembly and the carrousel which could damage components of the carrousel.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need for improving gas filling carrousels to be able to handle such unintended situations although they occur infrequently.

[0010] SUMMARY

[0011] It is an object of the invention to improve gas filling carrousels to make them more robust to unintended situations involving mechanical impacts and loads such as impacts and loads resulting when the support assemblies of the carrousel receive a gas container and the gas container is received in an inappropriate way, such as when the support assembly is not able to accommodate a new gas container which may be due to a gas container which is already, intended or unintended, accommodated by the support assembly. It is also an object of the invention to improve control of the carrousel such as capability of the carrousel to automatically start a control action such as stopping dependent on measured loads. 79007PC01

[0012] 2

[0013] In a first aspect of the invention a support assembly in a carrousel for filling liquid gas into gas containers, wherein the carrousel comprises a plurality of such support assemblies, wherein each support assembly is arranged to receive and support a gas container during operation of the carrousel, wherein the support assembly comprises

[0014] - a frame fixed to the carrousel,

[0015] - a platform arranged for receiving the gas container, wherein the platform is movably arranged relative to the frame, wherein the support assembly comprises a flexible connection arranged to enable the movement of the platform relative to the frame, and wherein the flexible connection is an elastic connection arranged to enable the movement of the platform via elastic deformation of at least a part of the elastic connection.

[0016] Advantageously, when the platform is able to move, that is, when the platform is able to move in response to an externally applied force, such as in response to forces resulting when a gas container is moved onto the platform which already stores a gas container, the movement of the platform reduces the impact forces. For example, the movement may enable the newly arriving gas container to pass by the support platform, e.g. so that the arriving gas container falls down on a floor.

[0017] It is understood that other fundamental transport mechanisms other than a carrousel may be used. For example, a conveyor may be used instead of a carrousel.

[0018] The platform is arranged to accommodate one gas container at a time. Accordingly, any further gas container that is attempted to be moved onto the platform will cause unintended loads on the support assembly.

[0019] According to an embodiment, the support assembly is arranged for receiving the gas container from an automatic transport system, such as a conveyor. Accordingly, the carrousel may be part of a larger system comprising an automatic transport system for transporting the gas containers to the carrousel and another or the same automatic transport system for transporting the filled gas containers away from carrousel. 79007PC01

[0020] 3

[0021] According to an embodiment, the support assembly comprises a flexible connection arranged to enable the movement of the platform relative to the frame. Thus, the movability of the platform may be achieved in various ways by a mechanism that allows the movement while holding the platform in a desired position and moving the platform back to the desired position after a forced movement of the platform, e.g. due to a possible gas cylinder jam.

[0022] This may be achieved by configuring the flexible connection as an elastic connection arranged to enable the movement of the platform via elastic deformation of at least a part of the elastic connection.

[0023] The elastic connection may be arranged preloaded so that the platform is pushed radially away from a rotation axis of the carrousel. I.e. the elastic connection is initially stretched, and exposed to further stretching if loaded, e.g. due to gas cylinder jamming. When arranged preloaded, the radial movement of the platform away from the center of the carrousel may be stopped by a stop mechanism. Thus, the desired position of the platform may be achieved by means of the elastic connection and stop or holding mechanism.

[0024] The elastic connection may comprise a visco-elastic element. For example, the elastic connection may comprise a polyurethan-elastomer spring. Advantageously, polymer springs, such as polyurethan-elastomer springs, have lower wear than e.g. spring-damper configurations and thereby offer improved life time.

[0025] The flexible connection is generally responsive to a force acting on the platform, such as a force which has a direction towards the rotation axis or center of the carrousel.

[0026] The platform is movably arranged to enable the platform to move towards the rotation axis or center of the carrousel, and / or movably arranged to enable the platform to rotate about a vertical axis being parallel or substantially parallel with the rotation axis of the carrousel, and / or movably arranged to enable the platform to rotate about a horizontal axis to enable the platform to tilt towards the rotation axis or center of the carrousel. 79007PC01

[0027] 4

[0028] According to an embodiment, the support assembly comprises a support member arranged to enable the platform to slide in a horizontal direction relative to the frame while the frame supports the platform via the support member. Thus, the support member is arranged to enable the platform to slide in a horizontal direction while providing a rigid support in a vertical direction parallel or substantially parallel with the rotation axis of the carrousel. For example, the support member, or a plurality of support members such as 4, are fixed to the platform and arranged to be able to slide over a surface of the frame such as a plate member of the frame. Advantageously, the sliding configuration provides a simple and robust mechanical solution that also allows a lift of the support platform relative to the stationary frame and thereby allows tilt of the platform in response to load forces.

[0029] According to an embodiment, the support assembly comprises a guiding arm arranged to guide the gas container towards a portion of the platform during the receiving of the gas container. The guiding arms help guide the gas cylinder to the weighing platform. However, the guiding arms may also increase the risk of gas cylinder jamming. However, with the moveable platform, the risk of gas cylinder jamming is reduced.

[0030] According to an embodiment, the support assembly comprises a load cell, such as an accelerometer, arranged to measure a load or load condition resulting when the gas container is transferred to the platform. The load condition relates to dynamic loads generated from engagements such as impacts between a gas cylinder and the platform or gas cylinder jamming but may also relate to the weight of the gas cylinder. Accordingly, the load condition may be indicative of unintended gas cylinder loading situations. The load cell may be arranged between a weighing plate and a load cell support member to enable the load cell to measure the load or load condition when the gas container is transferred to the weighing plate.

[0031] The load cell may comprise any impact measurement device capable of measuring impact levels, such as impact forces, displacements, accelerations, or other 79007PC01

[0032] 5 quantities relating to an acceleration level resulting when the gas container is transferred to the platform.

[0033] According to an embodiment, the support assembly comprises a signal transmission means arranged to transmit a monitoring signal determined based on the measured load or load condition. Advantageously, the monitoring signal may be used for control purposes such as safety measures generated in response to the monitoring signal. For example, the carrousel may be controlled to generate an emergency stop if the monitoring signal indicates an abnormal load condition. Additionally or alternatively, the monitoring signal may be used for determining abnormal behavior of the support assembly such as the health of the support assembly.

[0034] The signal transmission means may send the measurement in unprocessed form or in a processed form. For example, the measurement may be processed so that a threshold signal is sent if a value derived from the measurement exceeds a threshold.

[0035] A second aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising

[0036] - a plurality of support assemblies according to an embodiment of the first aspect,

[0037] - a carrousel for filling liquid gas into gas containers,

[0038] - a data processor arranged to receive the monitoring signal from the signal transmission means.

[0039] Advantageously, the use of a data processor for processing the monitoring signal enables different control actions as described above. For example, the system may comprise a controller arranged to stop the carrousel dependent of the received monitoring signal.

[0040] The data processor may be arranged to process the monitoring signal over time and in order to detect performance, such as performance deviation or performance degradation of the carrousel over time. The detected performance may be used for advancing or deferring a service or possibly to invoke an immediate stop of the carrousel. The processing of the monitoring signal may involve e.g. statistical analysis to determine deviating patterns in the monitoring 79007PC01

[0041] 6 signal. Thus, the system may be configured to enable an immediate stop based on the monitoring signal. For example, a monitoring signal from a single support assembly may be analyzed to determine if the monitoring signal indicates a load level exceeding a given threshold.

[0042] Further, monitoring signals from different support assemblies may be processed to determine the performance or health of individual support assemblies. A determined performance of one support assembly compared to others may indicate a problem with that support assembly.

[0043] Similarly, in an installation with several carrousels, monitoring signals from different carrousels may be processed and compared to determine a carrousel with a deviating performance, e.g. a carrousel wherein a mean value derived from the monitoring signals deviates mean values from other carrousels may indicate a performance problem.

[0044] A third aspect of the invention relates to use of a support assembly according to any of the first aspect for filling liquefied gas into the gas containers.

[0045] Another aspect of the invention relates to a carrousel or conveyor system comprising a plurality of support assemblies according to the first aspect.

[0046] In general, the various aspects and embodiments of the invention may be combined and coupled in any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects, features and / or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

[0047] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which

[0049] Fig. 1 shows a carrousel for filling liquid gas into gas containers,

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a support assembly of the carrousel, 79007PC01

[0051] 7

[0052] Figs. 3A-3D show details of the support assembly and illustrates operation of moveable platform,

[0053] Fig. 4 shows details of the moveable platform of the support assembly,

[0054] Fig. 5 shows details of the support assembly.

[0055] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a carrousel 100 for filling liquid gas into gas containers 101. Gas containers 101 are forwarded by a conveyor 102 to a position 103 where the gas containers 101 to be filled are received by a plurality of support assemblies 200, each being arranged to receive and support the gas container during operation of the carrousel 100. Accordingly, the support assemblies 200 functions as transport platforms for the gas containers. For example, the carrousel 100 may comprise a number of 6-48 such as 24 support assemblies.

[0057] Gas filling is performed while the support assemblies 200 are moved in the direction R indicated by an arrow towards a position 104 where the filled containers 101 are unloaded to the conveyor 102. A gas distribution system comprising filling means 110 is arranged relative to the support assemblies 200 for filling gas into the gas containers 101 while being transported by the support assemblies.

[0058] Driving means 111 is arranged to provide rotation of the carrousel about a rotation axis of the support assemblies 200 located at the center 190 of the carrousel. The driving means 111 is connected to the support assemblies by support arms 112. As Fig. 1 shows the carrousel 100 from above, a substantially horizontal and circular track 113 along which the support assemblies 200 are moved while being driven by the driving means 111 is only visible on Fig. 1 between the support assemblies. It is understood that the carrousel 100 may be configured with other means for moving the support assemblies than the driving means 111.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows an example of one of the support assemblies 200 which has received a gas container 101 which is supported on a platform 302. The support assembly 79007PC01

[0060] 8

[0061] 200 comprises the platform 302, a vertical support 316 and filling means 201 provided for filling liquid gas into the gas container 101. The filling means 201 may be fixed to the vertical support 316. The vertical support 316 may be fixed to the platform 302 so that the vertical support 316 tilts with the platform 302. One or two guiding arms 203 may be fixed to the vertical support 316 or other part of the support assembly at a height so that the guiding arms 203 can guide the gas container 101 into a correct position on the platform 302.

[0062] One or more wheels 202 of each support assembly 200 are arranged between the support assembly 200 and the track 113 to provide a movable support for the support assembly such that the weight of the support assembly 200, the gas container 101, the filling means 201 and any liquid gas is supported largely by the support. Thus, the carrousel 100 in this example is supported by the track 113. Other transport solutions are of course also feasible.

[0063] Figs. 3A-D show details of the support assembly 200 and the function of the moveable platform 302.

[0064] The platform 302 comprises a weighing plate 311, a load cell support member 312 and a load cell 313 arranged between the weighing plate 311 and the load cell support member 312 so that the load cell can measure the change of weight resulting when the gas container 101 is transferred onto the weighing plate 311. The load cell 313, such as an accelerometer or a fiber-optic load sensor, is in general capable of measuring a load or load condition resulting when the gas container is transferred to the platform 302.

[0065] A vertical support 316 is fixed to the platform 302 and provides a stop for the gas container 101, i.e. when the gas container 101 is moved onto the platform 302 its displacement in the radial direction towards the center 190 of carrousel 100 is stopped by the vertical support 316.

[0066] The platform 302 is arranged moveable relative to the frame 301. The frame 301 is comprised by the carrousel 100 or is comprised by the support assembly 200 and fixed to the carrousel. The platform 302 is connected to the frame 301 via the flexible connection 303. The flexible connection 303 is preferably an elastic or 79007PC01

[0067] 9 visco-elastic connection 303 which deforms in response to forces acting on the platform 302 and / or the vertical support 316.

[0068] Accordingly, in comparison with a rigid connection between the platform 302 and the frame 301, the elastic connection allows the platform 302 and the gas cylinder 101 to move resiliently, e.g. in a situation where a gas container 101 is transported by the conveyor 102 onto the platform 302 which already and unintendedly carries a gas container 101. With a rigid connection, this situation would generate large loads on the support assembly, such as large loads on the platform 302 and connections between the platform 302 and the carrousel 100. However, due to the resilient arrangement of the platform 302 the loads are reduced. I severe cases, the platform 302 may be moved so much that the container 101 being moved onto the platform 302 and causing the deformation of the flexible connection 303 will fall down on the floor or otherwise be routed away from the support assembly and the carrousel.

[0069] The flexible connection 303 in the form of an elastic connection 303 may be arranged pre-loaded or pre-stretched so that the platform is pushed radially away from the center 190 of the carrousel 100, i.e. the pre-loading generates a force Fpre acting on the platform 302 in a radial direction away from the center 190 and pushes the platform against a stop 314. In this way, the platform 302 is held in an intended position for loading of gas containers 101. I.e. the elastic connection 303 is initially stretched and exposed to further stretching if loaded. When arranged preloaded, the radial movement of the platform away from the center of the carrousel may be stopped by a stop block 314.

[0070] The support assembly 200 may be configured with one or more support members 315 arranged as a support for the platform 302 against the frame 101 and arranged to enable the platform 302 to slide horizontally.

[0071] For example, the support member 315 may be a block fixed to the support 302 and arranged so that a plane surface of the support member 315 is able to slide over a surface of the frame 301, such as the surface of the frame 301 which faces the surface of the support 302 onto which the support member 315 is fixed. Equivalently, the support member 315 may be a block fixed to the frame 301 and 79007PC01

[0072] 10 arranged so that a plane surface of the support member 315 is able to slide over a surface of the platform 302.

[0073] The stop 314 could be fixed to the platform 302 or the frame 301 to constrain the displacement of the platform 302, e.g. arranged so that contact with the support member 315 stops the platform 302.

[0074] In this example, only the flexible connection 303 is fixed both to the platform 302 and the frame 301 so that the platform 302 is able to move relative to the frame 301 both horizontally, i.e. in the horizontal plane of the platform 302 and vertically, i.e. in the direction of a normal to the horizontal plane.

[0075] Fig. 3B shows a situation where the platform tilts towards the center 190 of the carrousel 100, e.g. the platform rotates about a horizontal axis which is tangent to a circle centered at the center 190. In this example, platform 302 tilts about the edge of the support members 315 arranged closest to the center 190 of the carrousel 100 and contacting the frame 101. The tilt of the platform 302 may be caused by a gas container 101 being pushed against a gas container 101 already placed on the platform 302 and thereby causing a radial force on the vertical support 316 (not shown in Fig. 3B).

[0076] Fig. 3C shows a situation where the platform 302 only translates in a radial direction due to a radial force acting on the platform 302 and / or the vertical support 316.

[0077] Fig. 3D shows a situation where the platform 302, seen from above, rotates about an axis normal to the plane of the platform 302 due to a torque acting on the platform 302 and / or the vertical support 316.

[0078] Fig. 3D shows displacement guides 440 arranged to limit maximum translation distance and rotation angle and possible also tilt angle. In this example, the displacement guides 440 comprises a slot 441 arranged in the platform 302, e.g. in the load cell support member 312, and a pin 422 fixed to the frame 101 and protruding through the slot 441. Thus, the displacements in the plane of the 79007PC01

[0079] 11 frame 101 is limited to the dimensions of the slot 441. The guides 440 are shown in greater detail in Fig. 4.

[0080] In an example, the support assembly 200 is arranged so that the platform 302 can translate in the radial direction at least 20 mm, rotate by at least + / - 10 degrees and and / or tilt by at least 5 degrees towards the center 190.

[0081] Thus, due to the translation, tilt and / or rotation of the platform 302, damage of the support assembly 200 may be avoided in inappropriate situations, e.g. where two gas cylinders 101 could otherwise cause jamming of the carrousel. Due to the large inertia of the carrousel, such jam could lead to very high peak forces that could damage the support assemblies and other components of the carrousel.

[0082] Figs. 4 and 5 show a specific example of the support assembly 200. Elements with the same reference numbers of elements which have already been described are not described in detail with respect to this specific example. Fig. 4 shows how the elastic element 303 connects the frame 301 with the load cell support member 312 of the platform 302. The weighing plate 311 which is fixed to the load cell 313 is not shown here. Fig. 5 shows a cover member 501 which is fixed to the weighing plate 311. The guiding arms 203 are provided to ensure that the gas cylinders 101 are moved onto the platform 302. In case a gas cylinder 101 is inadvertently moved so that that it hits right on one of the arms 203, the impact force will cause a movement of the platform 302 so that damage of guiding arms is avoided.

[0083] Each support assembly 200 may have a signal transmission means such as a data transmitter arranged to transmit measurements from the load cell 313 to a data processor. The data transmission from the load cell to the data processor may be based on wireless, wired, or optical fiber communication or a combination of these. The data processor, such as a computer, may be comprised by the carrousel 100 or may be part of a system comprising the carrousel. Thus, the data processor may be located externally to the carrousel 100, e.g. may be part of server. For example, the server may be a cloud server and the signal transmission means may be arranged to transmit data to server via the Internet or other data network. 79007PC01

[0084] 12

[0085] In an example, a controller which may be comprised by the carrousel 100 or located external to the carrousel, is arranged to control the operation of the carrousel 100 and possibly the conveyor 102. For example, the controller may be arranged to stop the rotation of the carrousel dependent on the measurements of the load cell 313. For example, measurements from the load cell 313 is sent to the data processor which, by use of an algorithm, analyses data relating to the measurements from the load cell 313 and determines if a stop should be generated by sending stop instructions to the controller. The controller may also comprise the data processor in which case the controller is arranged to perform the above-mentioned data processor actions.

Claims

79007PC0113CLAIMS1. A support assembly (200) in a carrousel (100) for filling liquid gas into gas containers (101), wherein the carrousel comprises a plurality of such support assemblies, wherein each support assembly is arranged to receive and support a gas container (101) during operation of the carrousel, wherein the support assembly comprises- a frame (301) fixed to the carrousel,- a platform (302) arranged for receiving the gas container, wherein the platform is movably arranged relative to the frame, wherein the support assembly comprises a flexible connection (303) arranged to enable the movement of the platform (302) relative to the frame (301), and wherein the flexible connection is an elastic connection arranged to enable the movement of the platform via elastic deformation of at least a part of the elastic connection.

2. A support assembly according to claim 1, wherein the platform (302) is arranged to accommodate one gas container (101) at a time.

3. A support assembly according to any of the proceeding claims, wherein the support assembly is arranged for receiving the gas container from an automatic transport system, such as a conveyor (102).

4. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elastic connection comprises a visco-elastic element.

5. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the flexible connection (303) is responsive to a force on the platform (302) having a direction towards a center (190) of the carrousel.

6. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform is movably arranged to enable the platform to move towards the center79007PC01147. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform is movably arranged to enable the platform to rotate about a vertical axis being parallel or substantially parallel with a rotation axis of the carrousel.

8. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the platform is movably arranged to enable the platform to rotate about a horizontal axis to enable the platform to tilt towards the center (190) of the carrousel.

9. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support assembly comprises a support member (315) arranged to enable the platform (302) to slide in a horizontal direction relative to the frame (301) while the frame supports the platform via the support member.

10. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, configured so that the platform is able to be displaced by at least 20 mm in a direction towards the center (190) of the carrousel and / or to be rotated by at least + / - 10 degrees around an axis parallel or substantially parallel with the rotation axis of the carrousel and / or tilted by at least 5 degrees towards the center of the carrousel.

11. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the support assembly comprises a guiding arm (203) arranged to guide the gas container towards the platform during the receiving of the gas container.

12. A support assembly according to any of the preceding claims, comprising- a load cell (313), such as an accelerometer, arranged to measure a load or load condition resulting when the gas container is transferred to the platform.

13. A support assembly according to claim 12, wherein the platform comprises a weighing plate (311) and a load cell support member (312), wherein the load cell (313) is arranged between the weighing plate and the load cell support member to enable the load cell to measure the load or load condition when the gas container is transferred to the weighing plate.

14. A support assembly according to claim 12 or 13, comprising79007PC0115- a signal transmission means arranged to transmit a monitoring signal determined based on the load or load condition.

15. A system comprising - the plurality of support assemblies according to any of claims 1-14,- the carrousel (100) for filling liquid gas into gas containers,- a data processor arranged to receive the monitoring signal from the signal transmission means.

16. A system according to claim 15, comprising a controller arranged to stop the carrousel dependent of the received monitoring signal.

17. Use of a support assembly according to any of claim 1-14 for filling liquefied gas into the gas containers.

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