Controlled Gas Delivery Unit for Pay-As-You-Go Cylinder Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas containers for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas (NG) face issues such as high initial costs, theft, tampering, uncontrolled leakage, and inefficient fuel usage in developing countries, leading to safety risks and environmental damage.
Innovation Solution
A controlled gas delivery apparatus that includes a connection unit for measuring and regulating gas flow, a management unit for secure and remote monitoring, and a clamping mechanism to prevent unauthorized access, enabling incremental gas sales and remote monitoring of gas usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standard gas measurers and delivery infrastructures are used, then gas delivery can be measured and controlled, but the cost of installation and infrastructure requirements are too high for developing countries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, low-cost electronic control unit with basic components (microcontroller, display, buttons, buzzer) that can be manufactured cheaply and replaced if needed, rather than requiring expensive, permanent infrastructure installations. The system uses affordable sensors and communication modules suitable for developing country contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service through automated gas delivery measurement and control. The electronic control unit automatically tracks gas consumption, manages billing information, and controls delivery without requiring complex manual measurement infrastructure or specialized operators, making the system self-sufficient and easy to deploy.
2Reliability
If gas containers are made secure against theft and tampering, then safety and security are improved, but the initial cost of investment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electronic control unit as an intermediary between the gas container and the user. This control unit acts as a security gatekeeper that verifies authorization, monitors consumption, and controls gas flow. It provides security through software-based authentication and monitoring rather than requiring expensive physical security infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback through the electronic control unit that monitors gas delivery, detects anomalies, and provides real-time information about consumption and billing status. The display and communication modules provide feedback to users and authorities, enabling proactive security management without expensive additional hardware.
3Quantity of substance
If users pay in advance for the whole quantity of gas, then the supplier receives payment upfront, but users cannot afford the high initial cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the gas delivery process into controlled portions through the electronic control unit. Instead of requiring payment for the entire container contents upfront, the system divides gas delivery into measurable units (liters or kilograms) that can be billed incrementally. The control unit tracks and releases gas in controlled amounts based on payment status, enabling pay-as-you-go or post-payment models.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic payment and delivery control through the electronic control unit. Payment terms and delivery rates can be adjusted dynamically based on user credit status, consumption patterns, and billing cycles. The control unit can modify delivery parameters in real-time based on payment information received from users or suppliers.
Data Source
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Figure 4a
AI summary
Apparatus (10) for the controlled delivery of a gas from a mobile container (11) that comprises a connection unit (12) configured to connect a unit, to measure and regulate the flow (35) of the gas to the container (11) and a management unit (32) configured to control and manage the unit to measure and regulate the flow (35), on the basis of information correlated to a quantity of the gas to be delivered.