Gas Station Metering System for Real-Time Profit Loss Calculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current metering systems for gas stations face inaccuracies in calculating real-time profit or loss due to temperature-related density changes in oil tanks and pipelines, leading to errors in weight measurement and inefficient detection methods.
Innovation Solution
A metering system comprising a metering module on the fuel dispenser, a level gauge on the oil tank, and sensor array modules with multiple oil density sensors at strategic locations, connected to a communication management machine with a data processing module, which collects and processes real-time density data to accurately calculate profit or loss, and issues alarms for abnormal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If density sensors are arranged in the gas tank to detect density at regular intervals, then density compensation can be performed, but the measurement accuracy is insufficient because the oil tank is large and buried underground causing small temperature changes that do not reflect actual refueling conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single density measurement point in the oil tank into multiple measurement points distributed throughout the tank. This segmentation allows different regions of the tank to be monitored independently, capturing temperature and density variations more comprehensively, thereby improving both measurement accuracy and reliability of actual refueling condition representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from monitoring density at a single point in the oil tank to monitoring multiple points simultaneously, adding spatial dimensionality to the measurement system. This multi-dimensional approach captures the temperature and density distribution throughout the tank, providing a more accurate representation of actual refueling conditions.
2Measurement precision
If density compensation is performed by comparing oil tank density with theoretical density at respective temperatures, then some correction can be achieved, but the accuracy remains low due to temperature differences between oil tank and oil pipelines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the temperature monitoring into multiple locations including the oil tank and oil pipelines. By placing temperature sensors at different positions, the system captures temperature variations in both the tank and pipeline, preventing information loss about actual refueling temperature conditions and improving profit or loss calculation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where temperature and density data from multiple sensors are continuously collected and used to dynamically adjust density compensation calculations. This real-time feedback loop ensures that compensation is based on actual measured conditions rather than theoretical values, improving measurement precision while maintaining complete temperature variation data.
3Ease of operation
If manual checking of the meter is used for density compensation, then some adjustment can be made, but the system lacks real-time monitoring capability and promptness of maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated system that performs density compensation and profit or loss calculation without requiring manual intervention. The system self-monitors temperature and density at multiple points, automatically calculates compensation factors, and determines profit or loss in real-time, eliminating the need for manual meter checking while providing immediate detection of abnormal conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a real-time feedback system that continuously monitors temperature and density data, automatically adjusts density compensation calculations, and provides immediate alerts for abnormal conditions. This automated feedback loop eliminates manual checking delays and enables prompt response to maintenance needs.
4Device complexity
If a single density sensor is used in the oil tank, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement reliability is insufficient due to temperature differences between different locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single sensor into multiple sensors distributed at different locations within the oil tank and pipeline system. This segmentation increases measurement reliability by capturing temperature and density variations across different zones, while the modular sensor design keeps individual components simple and the overall system manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple temperature sensors and density sensors into an integrated monitoring system that processes all data together for comprehensive profit or loss calculation. This merging approach maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving measurement reliability through multi-point monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves high accuracy in calculating real-time profit or loss by collecting data from multiple points with different temperatures, binding transaction data, and using big data analysis to detect abnormalities promptly, thereby improving maintenance efficiency and data reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the oil tank, an oil pipeline of the oil tank and an oil inlet of the fuel dispenser each are provided with a sensor array module for collecting density data of the oil therein
Implementation Method 2
a metering module which is provided on a fuel dispenser and is configured to meter a volume of oil output by a refueling gun in real time
Implementation Method 3
a level gauge which is provided on an oil tank and is configured to meter an amount of oil in the oil tank
Implementation Method 4
the built-in data processing module receives and processes data from the metering module, the level gauge and the sensor array modules respectively; wherein the step of processing data comprises: (1) calculating a total weight of the oil stored in the oil pipeline and the oil tank
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a metering system for calculating a real-time profit or loss of a gas station, including a metering module, a level gauge of the oil tank, and a communication management machine with a built-in data processing module; the metering module and the level gauge are respectively communicated with the communication management machine; the oil tank, an oil pipeline of the oil tank and an oil inlet of the fuel dispenser are respectively provided with a sensor array module for collecting density data of the oil therein; the sensor array module includes a plurality of oil density sensors; the sensor array modules are communicated with the communication management machine; the built-in data processing module receives and processes data from the metering module, the level gauge and the sensor array modules respectively.