Remote Server Control Logic for Hydrogen Fueling Stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance of logic programmed directly to hydrogen tank refueling stations is difficult, making it challenging to ensure the correct standards and methods are implemented across different platforms and temperatures, affecting the accuracy of hydrogen tank refueling.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using a remote server connected to a programmable logic controller (PLC) at hydrogen filling stations, where input parameters are received, updated control logic is generated, and transmitted for execution, enabling remote control and maintenance of fueling operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If control logic is programmed directly at individual hydrogen tank refueling stations, then each station can execute fueling operations independently, but maintenance of the control logic becomes difficult and ensuring consistent standards across stations is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
A remote server acts as an intermediary between the centrally developed control logic and multiple distributed PLCs at hydrogen refueling stations. The server receives control logic from a home office, verifies it against established standards, and distributes it to numerous PLCs. This intermediary structure enables centralized standardization while maintaining decentralized execution, resolving the contradiction between fueling accuracy and maintenance difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of maintaining unique control logic at each station, the system creates and distributes identical copies of verified control logic to multiple PLCs across different stations. The home office develops and verifies the control logic once, then copies it to the remote server and subsequently to numerous PLCs. This copying approach ensures consistency and accuracy across all stations while simplifying maintenance through centralized updates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If control logic is customized for each individual station, then specific station requirements can be met, but standardization across different platforms and temperatures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The remote server and control logic system are designed to be universal, serving multiple PLCs across different hydrogen refueling stations with a single standardized control logic. The control logic is developed once at the home office and can be deployed to numerous stations regardless of platform or temperature variations. This universal approach ensures standardized fueling accuracy while the system can still adapt to different station requirements through parameter configuration rather than custom logic development.
3Productivity
If control logic is updated at each individual station, then local optimization is possible, but ensuring correct standards and methods are implemented across all stations is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the remote server receives control logic from the home office, verifies it against established standards and methods, and only after successful verification does it distribute the logic to PLCs. This feedback loop ensures that any control logic updates meet required standards before being implemented at any station, maintaining reliability while allowing for productive updates. The server can request modifications if verification fails, ensuring continuous improvement without compromising standardization.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method and system for remote control of a hydrogen filling station includes providing a remote server operatively connected for computer communication via a communication network to a programmable logic controller (PLC). The PLC is configured to execute a control logic at the hydrogen filling station to control vehicle fueling. The method includes receiving at least one input parameter from the PLC at the remote server and generating by a processor at the remote server an updated control logic based on at least the input parameter. The method includes transmitting the updated control logic to the PLC for execution by the PLC at the hydrogen filling station to control vehicle fueling.