Refueling equipment

Abstract

To provide a filling device capable of retaining an outlet pressure of a VR pump at a predetermined value.SOLUTION: A filling device (100-1) includes a VR line (1-1) that communicates from a filling nozzle (6) to an oil storage tank (5) to return vapor generated during filling oil to the oil storage tank (5), where a VR pump (2) is interposed in the VR line (1-1). A pressure sensor (7) is interposed in a region on a discharge side of the VR pump (2), the pressure sensor having a function of measuring a pressure in the region and transmitting the measured pressure to a control unit (10). The control unit (10) has a function of determining the number of rotations of the VR pump (2) so that a filling volume and a vapor recovery amount are equal to each other based on the measured pressure by the pressure sensor (7).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel supply device, and more particularly to a technique for preventing vapor generated during fuel supply from leaking out of the fuel supply device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, when a highly volatile fuel such as gasoline is filled into an automobile fuel tank, a large amount of vapor is generated inside the fuel tank. If such vapor is released into the atmosphere, it may pose a risk of fire and may also cause environmental pollution. Therefore, techniques have been proposed for collecting vapor inside the fuel tank through a fueling nozzle (see Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). Vapor recovery systems (VR systems) have also been proposed, which recover vapors in the fuel supply system's storage tank. In such VR systems, the amount of fuel dispensed and the amount of vapor recovered should be equal to prevent vapors from being released into the atmosphere during refueling. This is because if too much fuel is dispensed, vapors are released into the atmosphere from the vehicle tank's fuel filler opening, and if too much vapor is recovered, vapors are released into the atmosphere from the discharge pipe connected to the fuel supply system's underground tank.

[0003] Here, the back pressure of the VR system is roughly equal to the pressure inside the underground tank, and the pressure inside the underground tank fluctuates based on the temperature fluctuations throughout the day and the amount of fuel supplied to vehicles using the fueling device, etc. Therefore, the back pressure of the VR system also fluctuates. However, when the back pressure of a VR system fluctuates, the outlet pressure of the vapor recovery pump (VR pump) in the VR system also fluctuates, causing the amount of vapor recovered to fluctuate. This makes it difficult to adjust the amount of fuel dispensed and the amount of vapor recovered to be the same. Furthermore, because the back pressure of the VR system fluctuates, it is difficult to prevent vapor from being released into the atmosphere with fueling devices using conventional VR systems. Therefore, in a fuel supply device having a VR system, it is desirable to keep the outlet pressure of the VR pump constant, but this has not yet been proposed in the prior art. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2-219794 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-58341 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide a fuel supply device that can keep the outlet pressure of a VR pump constant. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The fuel supply device (100-1) of the present invention is A vapor recovery line (1-1: VR line) is provided which is connected from the fueling nozzle (6) to the fuel storage tank (5) in order to return the vapor generated during fueling to the fuel storage tank (5), The vapor recovery line (1-1) is provided with a vapor recovery pump (2: VR pump) that sucks (pressurizes) and discharges vapor. a pressure sensor (7) or a pressure switch is provided in a region of the vapor recovery line (1-1) on the discharge side of the vapor recovery pump (2) to measure the pressure in that region (the region of the vapor recovery line (1-1) on the discharge side of the vapor recovery pump (2)) and transmit the measured pressure to a control device (10); There is no sensor to detect the pressure on the suction side of the vapor recovery pump. The control device (10) determines, based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor (7), Based on the pre-stored characteristics "vapor recovery system back pressure (VR system 20-1 back pressure) - vapor suction flow rate characteristics by the vapor recovery pump", It is characterized by having a function to determine the rotation speed of the vapor recovery pump (2) so that the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal.

[0007] In the fuel supply device (100) of the present invention, A vapor recovery line (1:VR line) is provided which is connected from the fueling nozzle (6) to the fuel storage tank (5) in order to return the vapor generated during fueling to the fuel storage tank (5), The vapor recovery line (1) is equipped with a vapor recovery pump (2: VR pump) that sucks (pressurizes) and discharges vapor. A (for example, mechanical) back pressure regulating valve (3) having the function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump (2) at a set value can be installed in the region of the discharge side of the vapor recovery pump (2) of the vapor recovery line (1).

[0008] The fuel supply device (100-2) of the present invention is a back pressure regulating valve (3) (e.g., mechanical type) having a function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump (2) at a set value is interposed in the vapor recovery line (1-2) in a region on the discharge side of the vapor recovery pump (2); The control device (10) can have a function of activating a warning means and / or halting the refueling operation when the pressure in the outlet region of the back pressure regulating valve (3) of the vapor recovery line (1-2) (the back pressure of the VR system) reaches a pressure at which the back pressure regulating valve (3) cannot maintain the pressure on the discharge port side of the vapor recovery pump (2) at a set value or higher (when the back pressure of the VR system reaches a pressure at which the inlet side pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3 cannot maintain the pressure at a set value or higher). [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention having the above-described configuration, if the back pressure of the VR system (20-1) (pressure at the outlet side of the VR pump 2) is measured by the pressure sensor (7) or pressure switch, the back pressure of the VR system (20-1) (pressure at the outlet side of the VR pump 2) can be monitored by the pressure sensor (7), the measurement result of the pressure sensor (7) can be transmitted to the control device (10), and the rotation speed of the VR pump (2) can be controlled (by controlling the pump drive motor 9) in accordance with the back pressure of the VR system (20-1) measured by the pressure sensor (7). This allows for stable control of the amount of vapor suction by the VR pump (2). As a result, it is possible to control the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor collected so that they are equal, thereby preventing vapor from being released into the atmosphere from the fuel filler opening of the tank (not shown) of the vehicle C and from being released into the atmosphere from the release pipe (8).

[0010] Furthermore, in the present invention, if a back pressure regulating valve (3) is provided on the discharge side of the VR pump (2) in the VR line (1) instead of providing a pressure sensor (7) or a pressure switch, even if the inlet pressure of the VR pump (2) (i.e., the suction pressure of the VR pump 2) and the back pressure of the VR system fluctuate, the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve (3) or the pressure on the discharge side of the VR pump (2) will always be at a set pressure. Therefore, when refueling a vehicle (C), for example, using the fuel supply device (100) of the present invention, the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal, preventing vapor from being released into the atmosphere from the fuel filler port of a tank (not shown) of the vehicle C or from being released into the atmosphere from the release pipe (8).

[0011] Furthermore, in the present invention, if the back pressure of the VR system (20-2) (the pressure at the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve (3)) is measured by a pressure sensor (7 or a pressure switch) in addition to the installation of the back pressure regulating valve (3), the pressure sensor (7) can detect an abnormal situation in which the back pressure of the VR system (20-2) exceeds the adjustment range of the back pressure regulating valve (3). When such an abnormal situation occurs, a warning can be displayed to the operator or refueling can be stopped. Therefore, when the back pressure of the VR system (20-2) abnormally increases and the discharge pressure of the VR pump (2) exceeds the allowable range, a warning can be displayed to the operator or the refueling operation can be stopped to immediately make the operator aware of the abnormality, or refueling can be immediately forcibly terminated in the abnormal situation. This further improves the safety of the refueling operation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front cross-sectional view showing an example of a back pressure regulating valve used in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the arrangement of the back pressure regulating valve and the vapor recovery pump in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing the characteristics of the inlet pressure and the outlet pressure of the back pressure regulating valve. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a control in a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing a control in a third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In Figure 1, which shows the overall configuration of the first embodiment, the fuel supply device, generally designated by the reference numeral 100, includes a VR line 1 (vapor recovery line), a VR pump 2 (vapor recovery pump), a pump drive motor 9, a back pressure regulating valve 3, a fuel storage tank 5, a fuel supply nozzle 6, a control device 10 (described later), and a VR system 20 (vapor recovery system). The VR line 1 is connected from a fuel supply nozzle 6 to a fuel storage tank 5 in order to return vapor generated during refueling to the fuel storage tank 5. A VR pump 2 and a back pressure regulating valve 3 are installed in the VR line 1. In Figure 1, the flow of vapor is indicated by arrow V. The VR pump 2 has the function of sucking in vapor from the fueling nozzle 6 side, pressurizing it, and discharging it. The back pressure regulating valve 3 is interposed in the VR line 1 in the area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2, and has the function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 at a set value. The VR pump 2 is driven by a pump drive motor 9.

[0014] The refueling device 100 has a refueling line 31 that communicates from a fuel storage tank 5 to a refueling nozzle 6 to refuel a fuel tank (not shown) of a vehicle C, and a refueling pump 32 and a flow meter 34 are installed in the refueling line 31. The refueling pump 32 is driven by a refueling motor 33. The direction in which fuel flows in the refueling line 31 is indicated by an arrow F. The fuel supply device 100 also includes a discharge pipe 8 for discharging vapor into the atmosphere when the amount of recovered vapor is large. The fuel supply device 100 includes a control device 10 that controls fuel supply and the VR system 20 . Regarding the refueling control, the control device 10 receives a measured flow rate from the flow meter 34 via a signal line SL1, and transmits a control signal to the refueling motor 33 via a signal line SL2. Regarding the control of the VR system 20, the control device 10 transmits a control signal to the pump drive motor 9 via a signal line SL3. Information such as the amount of refueling, emergency warning information, and the like provided by the control device 10 are displayed on a display 11. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 12 denotes a nozzle switch, and reference numeral 13 denotes a nozzle hook.

[0015] In FIG. 1, the VR pump 2 is a positive displacement rotary pump. The reason why a positive displacement rotary pump is used is that a vane pump, which is an example of a positive displacement rotary pump, has a clearance on the side (due to the rotation of the rotor). Gas leaks from the high-pressure side (discharge side) to the low-pressure side (suction side) through this clearance. In other words, if there is no leakage at the rotor top (clearance at the end face side), the rotor will not rotate. In the first embodiment, a back pressure regulating valve 3 is provided to deal with the situation where the discharge rate decreases and the pressure at the pump outlet drops due to the leakage.

[0016] On the other hand, in the case of a pump that is not a rotary pump, such as a reciprocating piston pump, there is no leakage like that in the vane pump described above, and there is no need to consider a drop in pressure on the pump outlet side due to such leakage. Furthermore, there are cases where regulations stipulate that the ratio of air (vapor) to liquid (gasoline) (A / L ratio) at the tip of the filling nozzle must be within the range of 98 to 102 over the entire range of gasoline flow rates, but reciprocating piston pumps produce pulsation, which can be uncomfortable for users when the flow rate is small during refueling. In contrast, rotary pumps are controlled by the rotation speed of the pump drive motor, so by reducing the rotation speed, they can suck in air with less pulsation, allowing them to suck in air continuously even at small flow rates. For the above reasons, in the illustrated embodiment, a rotary pump is selected as the VR pump 2. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a vane pump, which is structurally simple and versatile, is selected as the positive displacement rotary pump. However, it is also possible to use a positive displacement rotary pump other than the vane pump, such as a trochoid pump or a rotary pump. It is also possible to use a reciprocating piston pump by providing a valve that can control not only the rotation speed but also the A / L ratio.

[0017] The back pressure regulating valve 3 shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, the back pressure regulating valve 3 is a mechanical valve and has a main body 3A, an inlet 3B, an outlet 3C, a primary pressure chamber 3D, a secondary pressure chamber 3E, a diaphragm 3F, a spring 3G, a pressure adjusting screw 3H, and an atmospheric pressure introducing hole 3I. The inlet portion 3B is connected to the discharge port of the VR pump 2 (Fig. 1) via the VR line 1 (Fig. 1), and the outlet portion 3C is connected to the oil storage tank 5 (Fig. 1) via the VR line 1. A protrusion 3J that protrudes upward in Fig. 2 is formed near the center of the main body 3A of the back pressure regulating valve 3, and the upper end of the protrusion 3J forms the valve seat 3K. The stem portion 3L, which is formed integrally with the diaphragm 3F, functions as a valve body, and together with the valve seat 3K of the protrusion 3J, forms the valve mechanism 3M. In Fig. 2, the flow direction of the fluid (fuel) inside the back pressure regulating valve 3 is indicated by the inflow arrow A1 and the outflow arrow A2. The back pressure regulating valve 3 adjusts the elastic repulsive force of the spring 3G by adjusting the pressure adjusting screw 3H (the amount of screwing), thereby adjusting the force pressing the diaphragm 3F and stem 3L against the valve seat 3K. As a result, when the fluid in the primary pressure chamber 3D exceeds a predetermined pressure setting, it passes through the valve mechanism 3M, flows into the secondary pressure chamber 3E, and is discharged from the outlet 3C of the back pressure regulating valve 3 toward the oil storage tank 5 (arrow A2). With this configuration, the pressure of the fluid (fuel) in the primary pressure chamber 3D (suction side pressure: pressure in the area on the VR pump 2 side) can be constantly maintained at a predetermined setting. It should be noted that since the pressure inside the fuel storage tank 5 is expected to fluctuate due to temperature differences and the use of the fuel supply device (fueling a vehicle, etc.), the discharge pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3 will not be the same as the pressure inside the fuel storage tank 5, but it will be approximately equal.

[0018] The back pressure regulating valve 3 shown in FIG. 2 is provided in the VR line 1 (vapor recovery line) in an area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 (vapor recovery pump) (see FIGS. 1 and 3). In Figure 3, the inlet 2A of the VR pump 2 is connected to the fuel supply nozzle 6 (Figure 1), the outlet 2B is connected to the inlet 3B of the back pressure regulating valve 3, and the outlet 3C of the back pressure regulating valve 3 is connected to the fuel storage tank 5 (Figure 1). In Figure 3, the direction of the flow of the fluid (fuel) is indicated by arrow A. By installing the back pressure regulating valve 3 on the discharge side (outlet side) of the VR pump 2 of the VR line 1, the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (or the holding pressure of the fluid in the primary pressure chamber 3D of the back pressure regulating valve 3: see Figure 2) in the region of the discharge side of the VR pump 2 of the VR line 1 is maintained at the set value.

[0019] Next, the relationship between the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (i.e., the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2) and the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (i.e., the back pressure of the VR system 20) will be described with reference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, the horizontal axis represents the back pressure of the VR system 20 (the outlet pressure of the back pressure regulating valve in the illustrated embodiment), and the vertical axis represents the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (the inlet pressure of the back pressure regulating valve in the illustrated embodiment). First, when a back pressure regulating valve is not installed (in the case of conventional technology), the relationship between the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump and the back pressure of the VR system is as shown by characteristic line B in Figure 4(2). According to characteristic line B in Figure 4(2), as the back pressure of the VR system 20 fluctuates (rises), the pressure on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 gradually fluctuates (rises). Here, the back pressure of the VR system 20 is the pressure inside the oil storage tank 5, and the pressure inside the oil storage tank 5 fluctuates due to the temperature difference between morning and daytime and the drop in the oil level in the underground tank caused by the use of a fueling device (fueling a vehicle, etc.), and this also causes the back pressure of the VR system 20 to fluctuate. Note that the symbol α in Figure 4(2) indicates the boundary of the range in Figure 4(1) described below where the outlet pressure of the VR pump (inlet pressure of the back pressure regulating valve) does not exceed the set value, but is also shown in Figure 4(2) for reference. As is clear from characteristic line B in Figure 4(2) (characteristic line for a conventional VR system), in the prior art, the discharge pressure (outlet pressure) of the VR pump 2 fluctuates depending on the back pressure of the VR system 20, which causes fluctuations in the amount of vapor recovered from the fueling nozzle 6. This makes it difficult to equalize the amount of fuel dispensed and the amount of vapor collected, and also makes it difficult to prevent vapor from being released into the atmosphere during refueling.

[0020] Figure 4(1) shows, in the illustrated embodiment, the relationship between the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (i.e., the pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2) and the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (i.e., the back pressure of the VR system 20) as shown by characteristic line A. As shown by characteristic line A in Figure 4(1), in the region where the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3, i.e., the back pressure of the VR system 20, does not exceed the allowable range (the region to the left of symbol α in Figure 4), the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3, i.e., the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2, is always maintained at a predetermined set value. The dashed characteristic line shown in addition to characteristic line A is an imaginary line of the above relationship when the back pressure regulating valve 3 is not provided. According to the illustrated embodiment having the characteristics shown by characteristic line A in Figure 4(1), even if the inlet pressure of the VR pump 2 (i.e., the suction pressure of the VR pump 2) fluctuates, the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (or the inlet pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is always at the set pressure, making it possible to easily and accurately adjust the amount of vapor recovered, and therefore making it possible to equalize the amount of fuel dispensed and the amount of vapor recovered. This prevents the amount of fuel dispensed from exceeding the amount of vapor recovered, preventing vapor from being released into the atmosphere from the vehicle tank's fuel filler opening. Furthermore, this also prevents the amount of vapor collected from exceeding the amount of fuel dispensed, preventing vapor from being released into the atmosphere from the release pipe 8.

[0021] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment (see Figures 1 to 4), a back pressure adjustment valve 3 is provided on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 to keep the outlet pressure of the VR pump 2 constant, but in the second embodiment of Figure 5, no back pressure adjustment valve is provided. 5, no back pressure adjustment valve is provided, as described above. In the second embodiment, a pressure sensor 7 is installed in the VR line 1-1 in the area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 to monitor the back pressure of the VR system 20-1 (the pressure on the discharge side of the VR pump 2), and the measurement results of the pressure sensor 7 are sent to the control device 10. The control device 10 has a function to control the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 in response to the back pressure of the VR system 20-1 measured by the pressure sensor 7, thereby stably controlling the amount of vapor suction from the fuel filler nozzle 6 side. In the description of the second embodiment with reference to Figures 5 and 6, the configuration and effects that are different from those of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 will be mainly described. In this description, components similar to those of the first embodiment (VR pump 2, fuel storage tank 5, fuel supply nozzle 6, control device 10, etc.) will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0022] 5, a fuel supply device according to the second embodiment, generally designated by the reference numeral 100-1, includes a VR line 1-1 communicating from the fuel supply nozzle 6 to the fuel storage tank 5, a fuel supply line 31 communicating from the fuel storage tank 5 to the fuel supply nozzle 6, a discharge pipe 8 for discharging vapor into the atmosphere, and a control device 10 for executing fuel supply control and other controls. The fuel supply line 31 and the discharge pipe in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, including the devices installed therein. As in the first embodiment, a VR pump 2 that sucks in vapor, pressurizes it, and discharges it is installed in the VR line 1-1. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a pressure sensor 7 (or a pressure switch) is installed in the VR line 1-1 in an area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2. The pressure sensor 7 has the function of measuring the pressure in the VR line 1-1 in an area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 (i.e., the back pressure of the VR system 20-1) and the function of transmitting the measurement result to the control device 10 via a signal line SL4.

[0023] In the second embodiment, the control device 10 has a function to control the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 based on, for example, the "VR system back pressure - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic (pre-stored characteristic). That is, the control device 10 has a function to determine the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 so that the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor collected are equal based on the "VR system back pressure - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic from the pressure in the area on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 measured by the pressure sensor 7 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-1). The control device 10 also has a function to send a control signal to the pump drive motor 9 via signal line SL3 to control the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 to a rotation speed at which the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor collected are equal. This function of the control device 10 makes it possible to stabilize the amount of vapor suction by the VR pump 2 and control the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor collected so that they are equal. Here, instead of the above characteristics, the control device 10 can use an arithmetic equation showing the relationship between the VR system back pressure and the vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump to calculate from the pressure in the discharge side area of ​​the VR pump 2 (back pressure of the VR system 20-1) measured by the pressure sensor 7, and control the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 to a rotation speed at which the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal.

[0024] The control in the second embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 6, in step S1, the pressure in the region of the VR line 1-1 on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 is measured. The pressure measurement in step S1 is performed by the pressure sensor 7, and the measurement result is sent to the control device 10 via the signal line SL4. In step S2, the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 is determined based on the pressure in the region on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-1) measured in step S1. As described above, the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 is determined, for example, by taking into consideration the predetermined "VR system back pressure - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic so that the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor collected are equal. Then, the process proceeds to step S3. In step S2, instead of storing the "VR system back pressure - vapor suction flow rate by the VR pump" characteristic, the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 may be determined by calculation in the control device 10 using an arithmetic expression corresponding to the characteristic.

[0025] In step S3, the VR pump 2 is controlled to operate at the rotation speed determined in step S2, and then the process returns to step S1 to continue the control. In FIG. 6, when the control is to be ended, it is sufficient to end the control without returning at step S3. Other configurations and effects of the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0026] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The third embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8 includes the back pressure regulation valve 3 of the first embodiment (Figures 1 to 4), and also includes a pressure sensor 7 (or a pressure switch) similar to that of the second embodiment (Figures 5 and 6) installed in the outlet side area of ​​the back pressure regulation valve 3 of the VR line 1-2. The third embodiment of Figure 7 has a back pressure regulating valve 3 like the first embodiment, but the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is measured by a pressure sensor 7, and if the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 exceeds the adjustment range of the back pressure regulating valve 3, this is detected by the pressure sensor 7 and a warning is displayed to the person filling the tank, or filling of the tank is stopped. In the following description of the third embodiment, the configuration and operation different from those of the first and second embodiments will be mainly described, and the same components as those of the first and second embodiments (VR pump 2, back pressure regulating valve 3, fuel storage tank 5, fuel supply nozzle 6, sensor 7, control device 10, etc.) will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0027] 7, a fuel supply device according to a third embodiment, generally designated by the reference numeral 100-2, includes a VR line 1-2 communicating from a fuel supply nozzle 6 to a fuel storage tank 5, a fuel supply line 31 communicating from the fuel storage tank 5 to the fuel supply nozzle 6, a discharge pipe 8 for discharging vapor into the atmosphere, and a control device 10 for executing fuel supply control, etc. The fuel supply line 31, discharge pipe 8, etc. in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, including their intervening members. As in the first and second embodiments, a VR pump 2 is installed in the VR line 1-2. As in the first embodiment, a mechanical back pressure regulating valve 3 is installed in the area of ​​the discharge side of the VR pump 2 in the VR line 1-2, which has the function of maintaining the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 at a set value. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, a pressure sensor 7 (or a pressure switch) is provided in the VR line 1-2 in an area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3. The pressure sensor 7 has the function of measuring the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 of the VR line 1-2 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-2) and transmitting the measurement result of the pressure to the control device 10 via the signal line SL4.

[0028] In Figure 7, when the pressure in the outlet region of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-2) exceeds the allowable range, the back pressure regulating valve 3 is no longer able to maintain the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) at the set value, and the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) becomes higher than the set value. In other words, the allowable range of the pressure in the outlet region of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (the back pressure of the VR system 20-2) is the range within which the back pressure regulating valve 3 can maintain the pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2 (the inlet side pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3) at a set value, and this allowable range is determined in advance and stored in the control device 10. The control device 10 compares the measurement result of the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (back pressure of the VR system 20-2) obtained from the pressure sensor 7 with the "allowable range," and if the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3 (back pressure of the VR system 20-2) falls outside the allowable range and the back pressure regulating valve 3 is no longer able to maintain the pressure on the discharge port side of the VR pump 2 (inlet side pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3) at the set value, it has the function of activating a warning means not shown and / or stopping the refueling operation. On the other hand, if the pressure measurement result is within the allowable range, the pressure on the discharge side of the VR pump 2 (the inlet side pressure of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is maintained at the set value, and the refueling operation continues while controlling the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 so that the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal.

[0029] Control in the third embodiment will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 8, in step S11, the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is measured in the VR line 1-2. The measurement is performed by the pressure sensor 7, and the measurement result of the pressure sensor 7 is transmitted to the control device 10 via the signal line SL4. In step S12, the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 measured in step S11 (pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is compared with the allowable range previously stored in the control device 10. As described above, the allowable range of back pressure of the VR system 20-2 is the range of back pressure (of the VR system 20-2) that allows the back pressure regulating valve 3 to maintain the pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2 (pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) at a set value. If the comparison result in step S12 shows that the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) exceeds the allowable range (greater than the upper limit of the allowable range: step S12 is "Yes S"), proceed to step S13. On the other hand, if the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is within the allowable range (equal to or less than the upper limit of the allowable range: step S12 is "No"), return to step S11. The comparison in step S12 is performed by the control device 10.

[0030] In step S13 (step S12 is "Yes": if it is determined that the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) exceeds the allowable range), it is determined that it is difficult to make the amount of fuel dispensed equal to the amount of vapor recovered, and that there is a risk that vapor will be released into the atmosphere during refueling, so a warning means (not shown) is activated to issue a warning to the person filling the refueling tank. At this time, instead of or in addition to issuing a warning, the refueling device 100-2 can also be controlled to stop the refueling operation. The warning and / or control to stop the refueling operation is executed by the control device 10. If the back pressure of the VR system 20-2 (the pressure in the area on the outlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is within the allowable range (step S12 is "No"), the process returns to step S11, the pressure on the outlet side of the VR pump 2 (the pressure on the inlet side of the back pressure regulating valve 3) is maintained at the set value, and the refueling operation is continued while controlling the rotation speed of the VR pump 2 so that the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal. Other configurations and effects of the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0031] It should be noted that the illustrated embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1, 1-1, 1-2...VR line (vapor recovery line) 2. VR pump (vapor recovery pump) 3. Back pressure regulating valve 5. Oil storage tank 6. Fuel nozzle 7. Pressure sensor 8...Emission tube 10. Control device 20, 20-1, 20-2...VR system (vapor recovery system) 100, 100-1, 100-2...Fueling device

Claims

[Claim 1] A vapor recovery line is provided that connects the fuel nozzle to the fuel storage tank in order to return the vapor generated during refueling to the fuel storage tank. The vapor recovery line is equipped with a vapor recovery pump that sucks in and discharges vapor. A pressure sensor having a function of measuring the pressure in the vapor recovery line in an area on the vapor recovery pump discharge side and transmitting the measured pressure to the control device is interposed, and no sensor is provided to detect the pressure on the vapor recovery pump suction side, The control device is characterized in that it has a function of determining the rotation speed of the vapor recovery pump so that the amount of fuel supplied and the amount of vapor recovered are equal based on the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and the characteristics of the back pressure of the vapor recovery system and the vapor suction flow rate by the vapor recovery pump, which are pre-stored characteristics.

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