Fuel supply device

Abstract

To provide a fuel supply device capable of detecting water contaminated in the supplied fuel (a water content rate) with high accuracy.SOLUTION: When an instant water content rate by some supplied fuel passing a detection area of a sensor instantly is out of allowable range, even when the water content rate of a whole supplied fuel is within allowable range and no abnormality is present and a physical property value corresponding to the water content rate equal to or greater than the value of the actual supplied fuel is detected by the sensor even instantly, an oil supplier 10 does not decide that the water content rate of the supplied fuel is out of allowable range and an abnormality is present immediately based on only this event, by computing a water content rate average value Rw of the supplied fuel in a prescribed time series section to detect abnormality.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fuel supply device that supplies fuel to a supply target such as a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in a fuel supply station such as a gas station, fuel is stored in a storage tank, and fuel is supplied to a supply target by a fuel supply device installed in communication with the storage tank. The fuel supply device measures and displays the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target (supply amount).

[0003] The storage tank is usually structured so that the gas phase inside the tank can communicate with the atmosphere so that the pressure of the gas phase inside the tank, which changes in volume as the amount of stored fuel increases or decreases, can be adjusted. The storage tank and the piping that connects the storage tank to the fuel supply device are usually installed underground at the fuel supply station.

[0004] In such fuel supply stations, moisture may be mixed into the stored fuel due to condensation of water vapor contained in the air (atmosphere) in the gas phase of the storage tank, or moisture from underground outside the tank may seep into the tank or piping due to corrosion or cracks in the storage tank or the piping that connects the storage tank to the fuel supply device. If fuel containing moisture beyond the allowable range is supplied to the vehicle to which it is to be supplied, there is a possibility that poor combustion may cause problems such as engine damage or engine stoppage.

[0005] In view of this, fuel supply devices have been developed that are equipped with a function for detecting water mixed in fuel to be supplied to a target such as a vehicle, and are configured to stop the supply of fuel to the target when it is detected that the water content of the supplied fuel exceeds a predetermined water content, i.e., that the water mixed in the supplied fuel exceeds an allowable range. Also, as a method for detecting the mixing of water in fuel that can be applied to such fuel supply devices, a method is known that measures physical properties such as the capacitance, conductivity, and turbidity of the supplied fuel and performs detection based on the measured values. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-154746 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In a fuel supply device equipped with a method for detecting the inclusion of water in fuel, a sensor serving as a water detection unit for measuring the physical properties of the supplied fuel, such as its capacitance, conductivity, turbidity, etc., is provided in a fuel supply path through which the fuel flows to be supplied to a supply target. The sensor serving as a water detection unit measures the physical properties of the fuel present in the portion of the fuel supply path in which the sensor is provided, i.e., the fuel present in the detection range of the sensor in the fuel supply path.

[0008] Therefore, for example, if the fuel supply to the supply target is stopped for a while, there will be no fuel flow (movement of fuel) within the fuel supply path during this time, and as a result, separation of the fuel and moisture in the supplied fuel will progress, and the separated moisture will come to rest in the detection area of ​​the sensor in the fuel supply path.As a result, the sensor will detect, albeit temporarily, a physical property value corresponding to a moisture content higher than that of the actual supplied fuel.

[0009] Furthermore, even if the moisture content of the entire fuel being supplied is within the acceptable range and there is no abnormality during actual fuel supply to the target, if the instantaneous moisture content of a portion of the fuel being supplied that momentarily passes through the detection range of the sensor is outside the acceptable range and the sensor momentarily detects a physical property value corresponding to a moisture content higher than that of the actual fuel being supplied, albeit temporarily, the actual supply of fuel to the target will be stopped at the point of detection.

[0010] Furthermore, if the moisture content value serving as the criterion for determining whether an abnormality has occurred is set high in consideration of these phenomena, the detection of an abnormality will be delayed accordingly.

[0011] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a fuel supply device capable of detecting water (moisture content) mixed into supplied fuel with high accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The fuel supply device according to the present disclosure comprises: a fuel supply path through which fuel to be supplied to a supply target is delivered; a water detection unit provided in the fuel supply passage and configured to detect water mixed in fuel present in a detection area in the fuel supply passage; a water contamination measuring unit that measures the water content or water content rate in the fuel present in the detection area of ​​the water detection unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit; a moisture value storage unit that stores the moisture content or moisture rate in the fuel successively measured by the water contamination measurement unit based on the detection output of the water detection unit during the fuel supply operation or fuel supply to the supply target; a water contamination calculation unit that calculates an integrated water content or an average water content value for a predetermined time series interval based on the water contents or water content rates of a plurality of fuels stored in the water content value storage unit; an abnormality determination unit that compares the integrated water content or the average water content for a predetermined time series section sequentially calculated by the water contamination calculation unit with a predetermined abnormality determination value to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the fuel to be supplied to the supply target; It is equipped with: Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the fuel supply device disclosed herein, even if the moisture content of the entire supplied fuel is within the acceptable range and there is no abnormality during actual fuel supply to the target, if the instantaneous moisture content of a portion of the supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the sensor is outside the acceptable range and the sensor momentarily detects a physical property value corresponding to a moisture content that is higher than the value of the actual supplied fuel, albeit temporarily, it will not be immediately determined based on this event alone that the moisture content of the supplied fuel is outside the acceptable range and there is an abnormality, thereby enabling more accurate abnormality detection.

[0014] Furthermore, since the judgment value for detecting an abnormality is not changed, the inconvenience of not being able to detect an abnormality even though it is actually an abnormality can be reduced.

[0015] Furthermore, problems, configurations, and effects of the present disclosure other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a fuel tanker as one embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present disclosure; [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a supply pipeline portion provided with a water detector. [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a calibration curve pre-stored in a storage unit of the water detection control device. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a calibration curve pre-stored in a storage unit of the water detection control device. FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a tanker refueling control executed by a tanker control device during a refueling operation. [Figure 6] 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an average water content Rwav measurement process executed by the water detection control device during refueling. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a time series section measurement performed by either the tanker control device or the water detection control device during a refueling operation. [Figure 8]This is a schematic diagram of an example of a refueling operation in which the water content of the entire supplied fuel is within the acceptable range and there is no abnormality, but the instantaneous water content Rw of a portion of the supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the water detector is outside the acceptable range. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a trend of moisture content calculated based on the average moisture content Rwav. [Figure 10] 13 is another example of a moisture content trend calculated based on the average moisture content Rwav. [Figure 11] 13 is yet another example of a moisture content trend calculated based on the average moisture content Rwav. [Figure 12] Schematic diagram showing the total amount of water added ΣW. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description, the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure will be described using as an example a fuel dispenser installed as a fuel supply device at a gas station, that is, a gas station, which supplies fuel oil liquids such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, diesel, etc. to a supply target such as a vehicle. Note that the fuel supply station to which the fuel supply device according to the present disclosure is applied is not limited to a gas station. In addition, the fuel dispenser is not limited to a fuel dispenser that supplies liquid types (oil types) such as regular gasoline, high-octane gasoline, and diesel.

[0018] FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a fuel tanker as one embodiment of a fuel supply device according to the present disclosure.

[0019] In the illustrated example, the refueling machine 10 accommodates, within a refueling machine housing 11, a pump 12 as a liquid delivery device, a flowmeter 14 as a flow rate measuring device, a refueling machine control device 30 that controls the operation of each part of the refueling machine and calculates and controls the display of the amount of fuel dispensed, a water detector 40 that detects water mixed in the supplied fuel, and a water detection control device 50 that calculates the water content in the fuel based on the detection output of the water detector 40. In addition, a pump drive motor 13 for driving the pump 12 is attached to the pump 12, and a flow transmitter 15 for generating a flow rate pulse corresponding to the flow per unit flow rate (e.g., 0.01 L) of the supplied fuel.

[0020] A hose 17 having a fuel nozzle 18 at its tip is extended from the fuel tanker housing 11, and the base end of the hose 17 is connected in communication with the outlet side of the flowmeter 14 in the fuel tanker housing 11 via a supply pipe 16. The fuel nozzle 18 is provided with an automatic valve closing mechanism that opens and closes in response to the operation of an operating lever, and closes the valve regardless of the operating position of the operating lever when the fuel oil level in the target to be supplied, such as a vehicle, reaches the discharge pipe at the nozzle tip. The fuel nozzle 18 can be freely removed and stored in a nozzle hanger 19 provided in the fuel tanker housing 11, and is stored in the nozzle hanger 19 when fueling work is not being performed. The nozzle hanger 19 is provided with a nozzle switch 21 that detects the removal and storage of the fuel nozzle 18 from the nozzle hanger 19.

[0021] The refueling machine 10 pumps up fuel oil liquid from an underground tank (storage tank) 90 installed underground at a gas station through a pumping pipe 91 by driving a pump 12. The pumping pipe 91 is installed underground, one end of which is introduced into the underground tank 90 and opens, and the other end of which is connected in communication with the suction port of the pump 12. The fuel oil liquid pumped up from the underground tank 90 by the pump 12 is delivered to a refueling nozzle 18 through a flowmeter 14, a supply pipe 16, and a hose 17, the inlet of which is connected in communication with the discharge port of the pump 12. In this case, the flow path portion of the fuel oil liquid in the refueling machine housing 11, including the supply pipe 16, etc., and the pumping pipe 91 correspond to the fuel supply path of the refueling machine 10.

[0022] Furthermore, in the refueling machine 10 of this embodiment, a water detector 40 that measures the physical properties of the supplied fuel, such as the capacitance, conductivity, and turbidity, to detect water mixed in the supplied fuel, is provided in the fuel supply line of the refueling machine 10 as a mechanism for measuring the water content Rw in the fuel. In the illustrated example, a water detector that measures the turbidity of the supplied fuel to detect water mixed in the supplied fuel is provided in the supply pipe 16 inside the refueling machine housing 11 as the water detector 40.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a supply pipeline portion in which a water detector is provided.

[0024] In this embodiment, water detector 40 is configured to include terahertz wave transmitter 41 that transmits terahertz waves toward the supplied fuel in supply pipeline 16, and terahertz wave detector 42 that detects terahertz waves that have passed through the supplied fuel. Terahertz wave transmitter 41 is configured to include, for example, a terahertz wave resonant tunneling diode or the like, and is configured to be able to emit terahertz waves of a predetermined frequency from its transmission end face toward terahertz wave detector 42. In contrast, terahertz wave detector 42 is a detection element that receives the terahertz waves transmitted from terahertz wave transmitter 41 at its receiving end face and detects the received signal, and is configured to include a terahertz wave resonant tunneling diode like terahertz wave transmitter 41.

[0025] Water detector 40 is configured such that the transmission end face of terahertz wave transmitter 41 that emits terahertz waves and the receiving end face of terahertz wave detector 42 that receives terahertz waves are arranged in supply pipe 16 so as to face each other across a detection area through which the supplied fuel can flow. Furthermore, water detector 40 is configured such that the opposing transmission end face and receiving end face are covered with isolating members 43, 43, respectively, so that the transmission end face of terahertz wave transmitter 41 and the receiving end face of terahertz wave detector 42 that face the detection area through which the supplied fuel can flow are not in contact with the supplied fuel in supply pipe 16 that flows through the detection area between both end faces. The portion of supply pipe 16 where such water detector 40 is specifically installed is preferably the discharge side of the pump. The reason for this is that when moisture is mixed in the fuel in the fuel supply path, the fuel and moisture in the fuel are agitated by the pump, thereby making it possible to homogenize the moisture mixed in the fuel in the fuel supply path, and as a result, it is expected to be possible to stabilize the moisture content detected by water detector 40. Therefore, the closer the portion of supply pipe 16 to be installed, the closer to the discharge side of the pump, the more preferable it is.

[0026] In this case, the isolating member 43 is made of a material that transmits terahertz waves and does not deform, swell, dissolve, or otherwise deteriorate when it comes into contact with fuel and water. In addition, in consideration of the usage environment of the tanker 10, it is desirable for the material to be heat resistant from -20°C to 40°C. For example, a fluororesin material can be used as the material for the isolating member 43.

[0027] Also, instead of a fluororesin material, the isolating member 43 may be configured by using a terahertz wave transmitting material such as glass or quartz as a substrate and applying a fluororesin to the surface of the substrate. As the terahertz wave transmitting material, a material that can transmit terahertz waves sufficiently to enable measurement of the target water content Rw (for example, discrimination between Rw<2%, 2%≦Rw<5%, and Rw≧5%) can be used.

[0028] As an example, the material of the isolating member 43 may be ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (hereinafter, ETFE) or a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkoxyethylene (PFA). However, the material of the isolating member 43 is not limited to these examples, and it is more preferable if the material has a predetermined terahertz wave transmittance, oil resistance, water resistance, and heat resistance, and the moisture content can be determined as Rw<2%, 2%≦Rw<5%, or Rw≧5%. Furthermore, among fluororesin materials, terahertz waves are absorbed by polar molecules, so that a fluororesin material made of nonpolar molecules is preferable as the material of the isolating member 43.

[0029] The fluororesin used in the isolating member 43 has oil and water repellency. Surface free energy is an index of how easily fuel, water, and the like adhere to the isolating portion. When the surface free energy is low, fuel and water are less likely to adhere, and when the surface free energy is high, fuel and water are more likely to adhere. That is, when the surface free energy is low, the material is oil and water repellent and therefore less likely to be soiled, whereas when the surface free energy is high, the material is not oil and water repellent and is more likely to be soiled. Therefore, by using a fluororesin with low surface free energy as the material for the isolating member 43, it is possible to suppress the surface of the isolating member 43 from being soiled, thereby improving the measurement accuracy of the water content Rw.

[0030] In addition, because the surface of isolating member 43 is less likely to get dirty, it is possible to reduce the frequency of maintenance of refueling machine 10 and replacement of isolating member 43 and measuring parts. The shape of isolating member 43 may be tube-like, plate-like, or cylindrical, as long as it does not bring terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and terahertz wave detecting unit 42 into direct contact with the supplied fuel.

[0031] In general, when fuel containing water is refueled at a high flow rate and high discharge, the fuel oil and water mix together, generating water bubbles and air bubbles. The particle diameter of water bubbles and air bubbles is in the range of approximately 200 to 300 μm when evaluated in still water.

[0032] Therefore, in the illustrated water detector 40, terahertz waves with a wavelength of 3 mm to 300 μm (frequency of 0.1 THz to 1.0 THz) are emitted from terahertz wave transmitter 41 and incident on terahertz wave detector 42. The wavelength of terahertz waves (3 mm to 300 μm) is often equal to or sufficiently longer than the particle diameter of water bubbles or air bubbles (approximately 200 to 300 μm). Therefore, terahertz waves have the advantage of being hardly affected by scattering caused by water bubbles or air bubbles.

[0033] The distance L of the detection area between the terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42, through which the terahertz waves pass and the supplied fuel flows, is set to a distance through which the terahertz waves can transmit, taking into account the amount of terahertz waves absorbed by water.

[0034] As the distance L of the detection area between terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and terahertz wave detecting unit 42 becomes longer, the attenuation of the terahertz waves passing through the detection area increases, the loss of the received terahertz waves increases, and the measurement accuracy of the water content Rw decreases. From this viewpoint, it is preferable that the distance L of the detection area is short.

[0035] Therefore, the distance L of the detection area is set to a length that does not reduce the measurement accuracy of the moisture content Rw and allows the amount of change in the moisture content Rw to be determined. The distance L of the detection area can be calculated based on the frequency of the terahertz wave and the absorption coefficient of water. For example, when the wavelength of the terahertz wave is 0.3 THz, the absorption coefficient of water is 100 cm. -1 (Non-patent literature, SG Wamen et al., Appl. opt. vol. 23, p. 1206 (1984)).

[0036] For example, in order to detect a water content Rw>5% in the configuration of water detector 40 shown in the figure, it is preferable that the detection area distance L is short (for example, 6 mm or less) because the absorption of terahertz waves by water is large. If the detection area distance L is made longer than that, the absorption of terahertz waves by water will be large, and the terahertz waves will be completely attenuated, which may result in the terahertz waves being unable to be detected by terahertz wave detection unit 42. A shorter detection area distance L reduces the loss of terahertz waves associated with propagation and increases the reception intensity, thereby increasing the detection sensitivity of the water content Rw.

[0037] For example, in the case of the illustrated water detector 40, the distance L of the detection region through which the supplied fuel flows is 4 mm, the distance between the transmission end face of the terahertz wave transmission unit 41 and the reception end face of the terahertz wave detection unit 42 (the optical path length of the terahertz wave) is 10 mm, and a collimator lens is not used. Also, an ETFE tube is used for the isolation member 43, and the oscillation frequency of the terahertz wave from the terahertz wave transmission unit 41 is 0.3 THz.

[0038] Although not shown, a collimating lens can be disposed between the terahertz wave transmitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42. By disposing a collimating lens, the reception intensity of the terahertz wave at the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 is increased, and the terahertz wave can be transmitted at a high intensity over a longer distance. If the reception intensity of the terahertz wave at the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 is sufficiently high and the water content Rw can be quantified, a collimating lens does not need to be used.

[0039] The terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 of the water detector 40 configured in this manner are each connected to the water detection control device 50, and their operation can be controlled by the water detection control device 50 based on a control signal from the fuel tanker control device 30. At that time, a signal received by the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 (a water detection signal based on the receiving intensity of the terahertz waves) is output to the water detection control device 50, and the water detection control device 50 calculates the water content Rw of the fuel passing through the detection region inside the supply pipeline 16 between the terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and the terahertz wave detecting unit 42 based on this received signal.

[0040] In the illustrated example, the signal received by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 is converted into a voltage signal having a magnitude corresponding to the reception intensity of the terahertz waves, for example, and input into the water detection control device 50. The water detection control device 50 is configured by a computer device having, for example, a CPU, memory, an interface, etc., and a calibration curve showing the relationship between a known water content Rw and a voltage value is stored in advance in the memory unit. The water detection control device 50 calculates the water content Rw in the supply fuel to the supply target from the voltage signal having a magnitude corresponding to the reception intensity of the terahertz waves input as a water detection signal from the water detector 40, for example, based on a calibration curve corresponding to the type of liquid supplied to the supply target and the discharge amount of the supply fuel.

[0041] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are schematic diagrams for explaining the calibration curves stored in advance in the storage unit of the water detection control device. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the calibration curve of the fueling machine 10 when the supplied liquid type is diesel and the discharge flow rate is 75 L / min, and Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the calibration curve of the fueling machine 10 when the supplied liquid type is regular gasoline and the discharge flow rate is 40 L / min.

[0042] 3 and 4 show plots of the reception intensity of terahertz waves at terahertz wave detection unit 42 when the moisture content Rw is changed in various ways. In the figures, the variation (standard deviation) in the values ​​of the reception intensity of terahertz waves for the same moisture content value is shown by error bars. In both refueling aircraft 10, the reception intensity of terahertz waves at terahertz wave detection unit 42 decreases as the moisture content Rw increases. Calibration curve C is created based on the plots of the reception intensity of terahertz waves at terahertz wave detection unit 42 when the moisture content Rw is changed in various ways. In all fuel tankers 10, the detection range distance L is 4 mm, the distance between the emitting end face of terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and the receiving end face of terahertz wave detection unit 42 (the optical path length of the terahertz wave) is 10 mm, a collimating lens is not used, an ETFE tube is used for isolation member 43, and the oscillation frequency of the terahertz waves from terahertz wave emitting unit 41 is the same at 0.3 THz, so it can be understood that it is possible to determine whether the water content Rw is 2% or less, 2% to 5%, or 5% or more using calibration curve C without being significantly affected by differences in the type of liquid supplied or the magnitude of the discharge flow rate.

[0043] Thus, the configuration of the water detector 40 shown in the figure not only detects whether the water content Rw of the fuel has reached 5% (second threshold), which exceeds the safety standard, but also makes it possible to detect with high accuracy whether the water content Rw is at a level (2% (first threshold)≦Rw<5% (second threshold)) at which the safety standard is met but it is determined that maintenance and inspection of the equipment is necessary or recommended. By making such highly accurate detection possible, it is possible to provide a refueling machine 10 that enables measures such as maintenance and inspection of the equipment to be taken early.

[0044] The result of this calculation is transmitted from the water detection control device 50 to the tanker control device 30, and then displayed on the display 22 which displays refueling information such as the amount of fuel dispensed. If the water content Rw of the fuel as a result of the calculation falls within a predetermined range, an alarm is issued by the alarm device 23 under the instruction of the tanker control device 30.

[0045] The refueling machine control device 30 controls the operation of each part in the refueling machine 10, such as the pump drive motor 13, i.e., the pump 12, and the display 22, in accordance with the progress of the refueling operation based on the operator's operation of the refueling nozzle 18, counts the flow rate pulses output during refueling from the flow rate transmitter 15 attached to the flow meter, calculates the amount of refueling (amount of fuel supplied to the supply target), etc., and displays refueling information related to the refueling operation, including the amount of refueling, on the display 22.

[0046] The tanker controller 30 also controls the measurement of the water content of the supplied fuel by the water detection controller 50, receives the calculation results of the water content of the supplied fuel in the detection zone of the water detector 40 (the water content of the fuel that is in and passes through the detection zone of the water detector 40) calculated by the water detection controller 50, and controls the entire tanker 10 and each part in accordance with these calculation results. Additionally, in the case of the tanker controller 30 of the illustrated example, various trend information related to the water content generated by the tanker controller 30 or the water detection controller 50 from the accumulation of these calculation results obtained from the execution of the refueling operation can be displayed visibly on the display 22.

[0047] In addition, if the water detection control device 50 determines that an abnormality in the water content Rw has occurred in the fuel being supplied to the supply target, the refueling aircraft control device 30 can receive the abnormality determination result from the water detection control device 50 and output an abnormality occurrence instruction to an output unit that outputs the abnormality determination result, such as an alarm 23 constituted by, for example, a buzzer.

[0048] Like the water detection controller 50, the tanker controller 30 is configured by a computer device equipped with, for example, a CPU, memory, an interface, etc., and is configured to be signal-connected and data-connected to the water detection controller 50. In the above explanation, in order to clarify the functions of both, the tanker controller 30 and the water detection controller 50 are shown in Fig. 1 as separate devices with separate blocks and different reference numerals, but the water detection controller 50 can also be shared by the tanker controller 30, which is configured by a computer device equipped with a CPU, memory, an interface, etc.

[0049] Next, the control configuration of each part of the fuel tanker 10 of this embodiment during fuel supplying operation will be described with reference to Figs.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the tanker refueling control executed by the tanker control device during a refueling operation. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the measurement of the average water content Rwav executed by the water detection control device during refueling. FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the measurement of a time series section executed by either the tanker control device or the water detection control device during a refueling operation.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 5, in the tanker refueling control by the tanker control device 30, when the tanker 10 is in a standby state in which the refueling nozzle 18 is stored in the nozzle hanger 19 and no refueling operation is being performed, the tanker control device 30 monitors, based on the switch detection output of the nozzle switch 21, whether the operator has removed the refueling nozzle 18 from the nozzle hanger 19 and started the refueling operation (step SD010).

[0052] When the operator removes the refueling nozzle 18 from the nozzle hanger 19 and the refueling operation begins (SD010, YES), the refueling machine control device 30 drives the pump drive motor 13 (SD020), starts pumping fuel from the pump 12 to the refueling nozzle 18, and resets the amount of fuel displayed on the display 22 to zero (SD030), etc., to perform preparatory processing for the start of actual fuel supply to the supply target based on the opening operation of the refueling nozzle 18.

[0053] Upon completion of the above-mentioned preparation processing, the refueling machine control device 30 calculates the amount of fuel supplied (amount of fuel supplied) to the supply target based on a flow signal consisting of flow pulses corresponding to the flow of each predetermined unit flow rate (for example, 0.01 liter) of fuel oil liquid supplied from the flow transmitter 15, and displays it on the display 22 (SD040), obtains from the water detection control device 50 the average water content (average water content) Rwav of the supplied fuel calculated by the water detection control device 50 described below (SD050), confirms the end of refueling by determining whether or not to end the supply of fuel to the supply target (SD060), confirms whether the obtained average water content Rwav is less than 2% (SD070), and confirms whether the obtained average water content Rwav is 2% or more and less than 5% (SD080). If the result of these checks is that the average moisture content Rwav is less than 2% (SD070, YES) or is greater than 2% and less than 5% (SD080, YES), i.e., the average moisture content Rwav is less than 5%, the refueling aircraft control device 30 repeats the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070 or the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080.

[0054] In this series of processes, confirmation of the end of refueling to the supply target shown in step SD060 is performed by the refueling aircraft controller 30 based on, for example, nozzle return, reaching of the limit amount / time limit, completion of refueling of the set amount of refueling, input of an emergency stop signal, operation of an emergency stop button, etc. Then, when the refueling aircraft controller 30 confirms the end of refueling (SD060, YES), it stops the delivery of refueling to the refueling nozzle 18 by the pump 12 or other such delivery device (SD090).

[0055] In addition, in step SD070, the refueling aircraft control device 30 checks whether the acquired average moisture content Rwav is less than 2%, and if it confirms that it is less than 2% (SD070, YES), it checks whether the display 22 and / or alarm 23 is issuing an alarm indicating that the average moisture content Rwav is abnormal (SD071), and if an alarm is being issued (SD071, YES), it temporarily stops the alarm (SD072) and then repeats the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070 or the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080. In addition, in step SD080, the refueling aircraft control device 30 checks whether the acquired average moisture content Rwav is 2% or more and less than 5%, and if it checks that it is 2% or more and less than 5% (SD080, YES), it checks whether the display device 22 and / or alarm device 23 is warning of an abnormality in the average moisture content Rwav (SD081), and if no warning is being issued (SD081, NO), it starts an alarm on the display device 22 and / or alarm device 23 (SD082) and then repeats the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070 or the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080.

[0056] On the other hand, if the refueling aircraft control device 30 confirms through the checks of steps SD070 and SD080 that the average water content Rwav is 5% or more (SD070, NO and SD080, NO), it does not repeat the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070 or the processing shown in steps SD040-SD050-SD060-SD070-SD080, but checks whether or not an alarm is being issued indicating that the average water content Rwav is abnormal (SD081), and if an alarm is not being issued (SD083, NO), it starts an alarm on the display 22 and / or the alarm 23 (SD084) and stops the delivery of fuel to the refueling nozzle 18 by the fuel delivery equipment such as the pump 12 (SD090).

[0057] After stopping the supply of fuel to the fuel nozzle 18 by the fuel supply device such as the pump 12 in step SD090, the fuel tanker control device 30 monitors whether the operator has stored the fuel nozzle 18 in the nozzle hanger 19 and the refueling operation has been completed (SD100). Then, when it is confirmed that the refueling operation has been completed (SD100, YES), the fuel tanker control device 30 checks whether an alarm is being issued indicating that the average water content Rwav is abnormal (SD110), and if an alarm is not being issued (SD110, NO), i.e., in any case other than the case where the inclusion of water in the supplied fuel is abnormal and refueling of the supply target has been forcibly stopped (SD080, NO), the current refueling operation is terminated as is and preparations are made for the next refueling operation.

[0058] In contrast, if an alarm is in progress (SD110, NO), i.e., if the inclusion of water in the supplied fuel is abnormal and refueling of the supply target has been forcibly stopped in step SD080, the refueling aircraft control device 30 will not stop the alarm and will maintain the alarm in progress (SD120) until the attendant recognizes the abnormal condition and performs the prescribed reset operation (SD111).

[0059] On the other hand, when the start of the refueling operation is detected by the refueling aircraft control device 30 in step SD010 of Figure 5 (Figure 5, step SD010), the water detection control device 50 receives a measurement start instruction from the refueling aircraft control device 30 and repeatedly measures the average water content Rwav at a predetermined execution interval, i.e., a predetermined sampling interval for the output of the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40, in parallel with the refueling aircraft control by the refueling aircraft control device 30.

[0060] The timing for outputting the measurement start command from the refueling aircraft control device 30 can be when the refueling nozzle 18 is removed from the nozzle hanger 19 by the worker and refueling work is started, or when the refueling nozzle 18 removed from the nozzle hanger 19 is opened by the worker and fuel supply to the supply target is actually started. For example, in the former case, the refueling aircraft control device 30 can output a measurement start command to the water detection control device 50 based on the switch detection output of the nozzle switch 21, and in the latter case, the refueling aircraft control device 30 can output a measurement start command to the water detection control device 50 based on the switch detection output of the nozzle switch 21 and the input of a flow rate pulse from the flow rate transmitter 15.

[0061] 6, in measuring the average moisture content Rwav, water detection control device 50 reads a voltage signal whose magnitude corresponds to the reception intensity of the terahertz waves from terahertz wave detection unit 42 of water detector 40 (step SR010), and calculates the amount of received terahertz waves by, for example, A / D converting this read voltage signal to a voltage value (SR020). Then, water detection control device 50 calculates the moisture content Rw corresponding to the amount of received terahertz waves from the known relationship between the moisture content Rw and the voltage value (calibration curve C) that is stored in advance in the memory unit as a data table or a calculation formula (SR030), and accumulates and stores this moisture content Rw in an average moisture content calculation area (SR040).

[0062] Then, the water detection control device 50 checks whether measurement for a predetermined time series interval, which is measured separately by the water detection control device 50 itself or the refueling aircraft control device 30, has been completed and whether an instruction to calculate the average moisture content Rwav has been input (SR050). If an instruction to calculate the average moisture content Rwav has been input (SR050, YES), the water detection control device 50 calculates the average moisture content Rwav for that time series interval using the multiple moisture contents Rw within that time series interval stored in the average moisture content calculation area (SR060), and stores the calculated average moisture content Rwav in a history storage area for storing average moisture contents Rwav obtained in the current refueling operation (SR070), while clearing the stored contents of the moisture contents Rw stored in the average moisture content calculation area as necessary.

[0063] On the other hand, if an instruction to calculate the SR050 average moisture content Rwav has not been input (SR050, NO), the calculation of the average moisture content Rwav is not performed, and the current measurement of the average moisture content Rwav is terminated.

[0064] Therefore, in the water detection control device 50, the detection output (voltage signal having a magnitude corresponding to the reception intensity) of the terahertz waves detected by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40 is obtained from the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40 at a predetermined sampling interval, while the average water content Rwav of each time series interval whose interval length is longer than the sampling interval is calculated.

[0065] Next, a method for generating the instruction to calculate the average water content Rwav mentioned in step SR050 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the tanker controller 30 and the water detection controller 50 are configured to be connected via signals and data, so that the instruction to calculate the average water content Rwav can be generated by either the water detection controller 50 or the tanker controller 30, but here, an example will be described in which the instruction is generated by the water detection controller 50.

[0066] In instructing the calculation of the average water content Rwav, as shown in FIG. 7, the water detection control device 50 monitors whether or not fuel supply to the supply target has started (step SS010), and if it confirms that fuel supply has started (SS010, YES), it starts measuring a time series section whose length is predetermined and which is used in the calculation of the average water content Rwav shown in step SR0600 of FIG. 6 (SS020).

[0067] In this case, it is preferable that the confirmation of whether refueling has started is performed by the water detection control device 50 shown in Figure 6 synchronized with the start of measurement of the average water content Rwav, and is performed, for example, based on whether the refueling nozzle 18 has been removed from the nozzle hanger 19 by an operator and the refueling operation has started, whether the refueling nozzle 18 removed from the nozzle hanger 19 has been opened by an operator and fuel supply to the supply target has actually started, etc.

[0068] In addition, the section length of the predetermined time series section can be defined by a predetermined time (e.g., 10 sec) or a predetermined fuel supply amount (e.g., 10.00 L unit or 10 L flow rate pulse number unit) as long as the time length is longer than the sampling interval of the moisture content Rw shown in FIG. 6. When the section length of the predetermined time series section is defined by a predetermined time, the number of moisture contents Rw included in each time series section is approximately constant for each time series section. When the section length of the predetermined time series section is defined by a predetermined fuel supply amount, the number of moisture contents Rw included in each time series section varies depending on the difference in the magnitude of the fuel supply speed (discharge flow speed) of each time series section. In the following, an example will be described in which the section length of the predetermined time series section is defined by a predetermined time.

[0069] After starting to measure the length of the time series section defined by the predetermined time in step SS020, the water detection control device 50 monitors whether or not the clocking of the predetermined time has been completed (SS030) and whether or not the end of refueling has been confirmed (SS040). If the water detection control device 50 completes the clocking of the predetermined time but the end of refueling has not been confirmed during that time (SS030, YES), it outputs an instruction to calculate the average water content Rwav corresponding to that time series section (SS031), returns to step SS020, and again starts measuring the length of the time series section defined by the predetermined time.

[0070] On the other hand, if the end of refueling is confirmed while measuring the section length of a time series section defined by a predetermined time (SS040, YES), the water detection control device 50 ends measuring the section length of the time series section defined by the predetermined time (SS041), and further, in the illustrated example, retrieves from the history area the average moisture content Rwav obtained during the refueling operation and accumulated in the history area by executing the measurement of the average moisture content Rwav shown in Figure 6 during this period, associates it with the refueling operation, and saves and stores it in an analysis memory area provided in the memory unit of the water detection control device 50 (SS042). As a result, the analysis memory area in the memory unit of the water detection control device 50 stores one or more average moisture content Rwav obtained by executing the measurement of the average moisture content Rwav shown in Figure 6 during the refueling operation, corresponding to each refueling operation.

[0071] According to the fuel supply machine 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the water detector 40 having the terahertz wave transmitter 41 and the terahertz wave detector 42 is provided, and the average water content Rw of the fuel supply can be measured using the calibration curve C capable of determining whether the water content Rw is less than 2%, between 2% and less than 5%, or equal to or greater than 5% as shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Therefore, even when the fuel supply machine 10 is applied to a fuel supply device that supplies a large amount (e.g., 400 L) of fuel to a supply target at a high discharge rate (e.g., 75 L / min), the water content Rw of the fuel can be measured with high accuracy. As a result, regarding the water content Rw of the fuel to be supplied to the supply target, it is possible to distinguish between a case where the water content Rw is less than 2% and there is no abnormality, a case where the water content Rw is between 2% and less than 5% and is within the acceptable range for use in the vehicle to be supplied but it may be determined that maintenance inspection is necessary or recommended in the fuel supply machine 10, and a case where the water content Rw is 5% or more and there is a high possibility of poor combustion occurring when used in the vehicle to be supplied.

[0072] Furthermore, when determining the moisture content Rw of the supplied fuel, the average moisture content Rw of the supplied fuel for a predetermined time series interval is calculated to determine whether there is an abnormality. Therefore, even if the moisture content of the entire supplied fuel is within the acceptable range and no abnormality is present, if the instantaneous moisture content Rw of a portion of the supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the water detector 40 is outside the acceptable range (for example, 2%≦Rw<5%, 5%≦Rw) and a voltage value (physical property value) corresponding to a moisture content Rw that is higher than the value of the actual supplied fuel is detected, albeit temporarily, by the terahertz wave detection unit 42 of the water detector 40, it will not be immediately determined that the moisture content Rw of the supplied fuel is outside the acceptable range and an abnormality exists based on this event alone, thereby enabling more accurate abnormality detection.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an example of a refueling operation in which the instantaneous water content Rw of a portion of the supplied fuel that momentarily passes through the detection range of the water detector is outside the acceptable range, even though the water content of the entire supplied fuel is within the acceptable range and there is no abnormality.

[0074] In a refueling machine of the prior art, when a refueling operation such as that shown in Figure 8 occurs as an event, even if the average moisture content Rwav of the entire supplied fuel is less than 2%, if it includes an instantaneous moisture content Rw of more than 5% as shown by the dotted line, it is determined to be an abnormality at the time of measurement and the refueling operation is terminated. However, in the refueling machine 10 of the present embodiment, which calculates the average moisture content Rw of the supplied fuel for a predetermined time series interval to determine an abnormality, it is not immediately determined that the moisture content Rw of the supplied fuel is outside the acceptable range and an abnormality is present, allowing for more accurate abnormality detection.

[0075] Furthermore, since the judgment value for detecting an abnormality (for example, 2%≦Rw<5%, 5%≦Rw) is not changed, the inconvenience of not being able to detect an abnormality even though it is actually an abnormality can be reduced.

[0076] Furthermore, in the refueling machine 10 of this embodiment, one or more average moisture content values ​​Rwav obtained by measuring the average moisture content Rwav during a refueling operation can be stored in an analysis memory area in the memory unit of the water detection control device 50 in correspondence with each refueling operation. Therefore, the refueling machine control device 30 or the water detection control device 50 can calculate and obtain trends in moisture content, such as those shown in Figures 9 to 11, based on the average moisture content Rwav stored in this analysis memory area.

[0077] FIG. 9 shows an example of a trend of the moisture content calculated based on the average moisture content Rwav.

[0078] Fig. 9 shows the results of a trend analysis of moisture content, in which the average value Rwav2 of the average moisture content Rwav for each task is calculated for the most recent 50 refueling tasks, and this average value Rwav2 of the average moisture content Rwav for each task is plotted on a graph with the moisture content value [%] on the vertical axis and the most recent 50 refueling tasks on the horizontal axis. This trend analysis result of moisture content makes it possible to grasp the changing trends of the moisture content, such as whether it is increasing / decreasing / remaining constant, in the most recent 50 refueling tasks.

[0079] FIG. 10 shows another example of a trend of the moisture content calculated based on the average moisture content Rwav.

[0080] Figure 10 shows the results of a moisture content trend analysis, which calculates the average moisture content Rwav2 for each refueling operation over the past month, and then calculates the average moisture content Rwav3 for all refueling operations over the day and the average moisture content Rwav4 for all refueling operations over the week based on this average moisture content, and plots these average moisture content Rwav3 and Rwav4 on a graph with the moisture content value [%] on the vertical axis and the date on the horizontal axis.The results of this moisture content trend analysis make it possible to grasp the trends in moisture content, such as increase / decrease / constant, on a daily and weekly basis during refueling operations over the past month.

[0081] FIG. 11 shows yet another example of a trend of the moisture content calculated based on the average moisture content Rwav.

[0082] Fig. 11 shows the trend analysis results of moisture content, which are calculated for each refueling operation in a day by calculating the average value Rwav2 of the average moisture content Rwav for each operation, and then based on this average value Rwav2 of the average moisture content Rwav for each operation, the percentage [%] of the number of refueling operations corresponding to each value range of the average value Rwav2 to the total number of refueling operations in a day is shown as a bar graph on a graph with the percentage [%] on the vertical axis and each value range of the average value Rwav2 on the horizontal axis. According to the trend analysis results of moisture content, it is possible to grasp which value ranges of the average value Rwav2 had more or less refueling operations.

[0083] 9 to 11 can be displayed on the display 22 if the display 22 is capable of displaying images. Even if the display 22 is not capable of displaying images, the trends in moisture content can be displayed on the display by transmitting and outputting the data to a fuel supply management system (SSC) or a fuel station POS that is communicatively connected to the fuel supply machine 10 via a fuel station LAN or the like.

[0084] The fuel tanker 10 of this embodiment is configured as described above, however, the specific configuration of each part is not limited to the configuration described above, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0085] For example, in the above-mentioned refueling machine 10, each of the predetermined time series sections is configured so that adjacent time series sections are adjacent to each other and connected, but adjacent time series sections may be configured to partially overlap each other, or the predetermined section length of the time series section may be increased by a predetermined amount in accordance with an increase in the fuel supply time (refueling time) or the fuel supply amount (refueling amount) to the supply target. In the latter case, the average moisture content Rwav of the last increased time series section can be automatically set as the average moisture content Rwav2 of the refueling work.

[0086] In the above-mentioned fuel tanker 10, the water detection control device 50 is configured to calculate the water content (instantaneous water content) Rw corresponding to the amount of received terahertz waves to calculate the average water content Rwav for the time series section (FIG. 6), but it may also be configured to calculate the water content (instantaneous water content) Fw corresponding to the amount of received terahertz waves to calculate the average water content Fwav for the time series section, and sequentially add up the obtained average water content Fwav for the time series section to obtain the total water content ΣFw in the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target. Then, it may be configured to calculate at any time what percentage of the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target the total water content ΣFw in the amount of fuel supplied to the supply target corresponds to, and if the water content exceeds a predetermined water content (for example, 5%), it may be determined that an abnormality has occurred.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 12, the fuel discharge amount (fuel discharge amount) for each time series unit interval may be multiplied by the moisture content (instantaneous moisture content) Rw for each time series unit interval to calculate the moisture content for each time series unit interval, and this moisture content for each time series unit interval may be integrated while fuel is being supplied to the supply target to calculate the total amount of water added ΣW to the supply target, and an abnormality may be determined depending on whether this total amount of water added ΣW has reached a predetermined abnormality determination value.

[0088] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the total amount of water added ΣW.

[0089] Furthermore, as water detector 40 that measures the turbidity of the supplied fuel and detects water mixed in the supplied fuel, an optical fiber sensor configured to have a light-emitting optical fiber and a light-receiving optical fiber may be used instead of terahertz wave emitting unit 41 and terahertz wave detecting unit 42. The optical fiber sensor is configured, for example, such that the light-emitting end faces and light-receiving end faces of both optical fibers face the supplied fuel inside supply pipe 16. Furthermore, water detector 40 is not limited to terahertz wave emitting unit 41, terahertz wave detecting unit 42, and the optical fiber sensor, as long as it can measure the water content and water content rate for each time series section.

[0090] Such modifications are intended to be included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0091] 10 tanker, 11 Tanker housing, 12 pumps, 13 Pump drive motor, 14 flowmeter, 15 Flow transmitter, 16 Supply line, 17 hose, 18 Refueling nozzle, 19 Nozzle Hanger, 21 Nozzle switch, 22 Display, 23 Alarm; 30 Tanker control device, 40 Water detector, 41 Terahertz wave transmitter, 42 Terahertz wave detection unit, 43 isolating member, 50 Water detection control device.

Claims

1. a fuel supply path through which fuel to be supplied to a supply target is delivered; a detector provided in the fuel supply path, the detector emitting a terahertz wave of a predetermined frequency and detecting a receiving intensity of the terahertz wave of the predetermined frequency that has passed through fuel present in a detection area in the fuel supply path; a water contamination measuring unit that measures the water content or the water content rate in the fuel present in a detection area of ​​the detection unit based on the reception intensity of the terahertz wave of the predetermined frequency detected by the detection unit; a moisture content value storage unit that stores the moisture content or moisture ratio in the fuel successively measured by the water contamination measurement unit based on the detection output of the detection unit during the fuel supply operation or fuel supply to the supply target; a water contamination calculation unit that calculates an integrated water content or an average water content value for a predetermined time series interval based on the water contents or water content rates of a plurality of fuels stored in the water content value storage unit; an abnormality determination unit that compares the integrated water content or the average water content for a predetermined time series section sequentially calculated by the water contamination calculation unit with a predetermined abnormality determination value to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the fuel to be supplied to the supply target; Equipped with the detection area is provided inside the fuel supply passage and is formed by a partition portion to have a gap smaller than a diameter of the fuel supply passage, The detection unit is configured to receive the terahertz wave irradiated to the detection area formed by the partition wall. Fuel supply device.

2. A fuel supply device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the detection range is set based on the frequency of the terahertz waves and the absorption coefficient of the terahertz waves for water.

3. 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the abnormality determination unit determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the fuel by determining whether or not the average moisture content in the time series section or the total moisture content in the supplied fuel is at a predetermined level at which maintenance or inspection of the fuel supply device is necessary or recommended, and whether or not the average moisture content in the time series section is equal to or greater than a predetermined value at which fuel supply by the fuel supply device is required to be stopped.

4. the water contamination measurement unit measures a water content in the fuel present in a detection area of ​​the detection unit based on a reception intensity of the terahertz wave of the predetermined frequency detected by the detection unit; the moisture content value storage unit stores the moisture content in the fuel successively measured by the water contamination measurement unit based on the reception intensity of the terahertz wave of the predetermined frequency detected by the detection unit during the fuel supply operation or fuel supply to the supply target, The water contamination calculation unit calculates an average water content value for a predetermined time series interval based on the water contents of the plurality of fuels stored in the water content value storage unit, The abnormality determination unit is comparing the average water content for a predetermined time series section sequentially calculated by the water contamination calculation unit with a predetermined water content threshold value for abnormality determination to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the fuel to be supplied to the supply target; 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time series section is a fixed time length that is longer than an interval at which the water content is measured by the water contamination measurement unit and shorter than a time during which fuel is being supplied to the supply target or a time during which fuel is being supplied.

5. the water contamination measurement unit measures the water content in the fuel present in a detection area of ​​the detection unit based on a reception intensity of the terahertz wave of the predetermined frequency detected by the detection unit; the water content value storage unit stores the water content in the fuel successively measured by the water contamination measurement unit based on the reception intensity of the terahertz wave of the predetermined frequency detected by the detection unit during the fuel supply operation or fuel supply to the supply target, The water contamination calculation unit calculates an integrated water content for a predetermined time series interval based on the water contents of the plurality of fuels stored in the water content value storage unit, The abnormality determination unit is comparing the integrated water content for a predetermined time series section sequentially calculated by the water contamination calculation unit with a predetermined integrated water content threshold value for abnormality determination to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the fuel to be supplied to the supply target; 3. The fuel supply device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined time series section is a fixed time length that is longer than an interval at which the water content is measured by the water contamination measurement unit and shorter than a time during which fuel is being supplied to the supply target or a time during which fuel is being supplied.

Images