JP3033399B2 - Fuel tank residual oil detector - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for detecting the amount of residual oil in a separately installed fuel tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, this type of fuel tank residual oil amount detecting device is mainly of a float type which is directly mounted in a fuel tank as shown in FIG.
01 and an indicator 103 provided at the tip of the arm 102 or a variable resistor or the like, and the indicator 103 is provided via the arm 102 which moves up and down according to the oil level of the fuel tank. Alternatively, the amount of residual oil is detected by changing the resistance value of the resistor.

[0003] In some cases, a pressure sensor is used, but this restricts the fuel tank and fixes the mounting position near the outlet of the tank so that the relationship between "empty" and "full" is uniform. It was intended to be used.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional float type, the movable range of the pointer 103, which is a display unit, and the sliding range of the variable resistor cannot be unnecessarily wide due to the structure of the mechanism. It is possible and limited to a predetermined range. Therefore, the operating range of the arm 102 and the float 101 connected to the display unit is also restricted. In other words, since the operating range of the float 101 from “full” to “empty” varies depending on the size (height) of the fuel tank, it is necessary to set the movable range of the pointer with respect to the vertical movement of the float 101 each time. And provided only a fuel tank and a pair of residual oil amount detection devices. In addition, in the case of a conventional mechanical type, where a general-purpose residual oil amount detection is to be performed regardless of the size of the fuel tank, a complicated mechanical mechanism for amplifying or attenuating the vertical movement of the float. And a very high degree of accuracy is required for the adjustment method.

In the case of using a pressure sensor, the remaining oil amount can be displayed only in a relationship determined by the oil level and the output of the pressure sensor used. Therefore, the mounting position and the size of the fuel tank are limited. It was limited.

Further, since such a device for detecting the residual oil amount in a fuel tank has been commercialized independently, there has been a problem that it is necessary to separately provide a display unit and it is not possible to detect a fuel shortage in a combustor.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to detect a residual oil amount using a pressure sensor regardless of the size and mounting position of a fuel tank.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a separate tank installed outdoors, an oil supply pipe for supplying fuel from the separate tank to a combustor, and an oil supply pipe in an appropriate position. Bei a pressure sensor disposed were, a control unit for calculating the residual oil amount in the fuel tank by the output of the pressure sensor, and a display unit for displaying the status of the residual oil amount by the control signal
The control unit includes an initial setting unit that sets, as an initial value, the output of the pressure sensor that is read when the oil level of the fuel tank is at the lower limit, and a preset value according to the size of the fuel tank.
A tank constant setting unit for setting a predetermined constant determined because, before
Convert from the output of the pressure sensor as residual oil data
Has a residual oil amount calculating section, the residual oil amount calculating section, Tokoro than the initial value and the tank constant output and the initial setting of the pressure sensor
Oil level using a constant arithmetic expression, that calculates the residual oil amount, when the residual oil amount arithmetic result falls below preset value, constituted by a limiter 1 for emitting refueling notice, and The control unit is configured in a combustion control device of the combustor, and the display unit is configured by a display device of the combustor,
In addition, a display switching unit for switching the display content from the display of the combustor to the display of the residual oil amount is provided, or the power source of the initial setting unit is configured by a backup battery and the initial value is stored.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention by the above configuration, first, when the residual oil amount in the fuel tank is lower, i.e., initializing the output of the pressure sensor when the "Check amount" position as the initial value through the A / D input unit Set in the section . Next, a predetermined tank constant is set in the tank constant setting section according to the size of the fuel tank to be used. Fuel to be used by setting operation conditions above
The detection range of the residual oil amount in the tank can be set. One
In other words, when the residual oil amount of the fuel tank is at the lower limit and at the upper limit,
Adjust each time to set the detection range for the `` empty '' and `` full '' positions.
Settings automatically without the hassle of setting
It can be. Thereafter, the oil level, that is, the residual oil amount is calculated from a pressure sensor output corresponding to the residual oil amount and the set use conditions using a predetermined arithmetic expression and displayed. Therefore, regardless of the mounting position of the pressure sensor, the oil level can be detected linearly from "empty" to "full" in the fuel tank. In other words, regardless of the size of the fuel tank ,
Also can be attached to the pressure sensor, it becomes possible to mount the pressure sensor on the fueling connections combustor For example, it is possible to residual oil amount detection configuration is simple and versatile
At the same time, set the detection range to "Empty" or "Full"
No need to adjust the position, pressure sensor in "empty" position
Read the output and set the tank constant according to the fuel tank
Settings can be set automatically,
It can be simplified.

In addition, it is possible to display the residual oil amount by using the display section of the combustor and to easily perform the operation of stopping the combustion when the fuel runs out. A residual oil amount detection device can be provided.

Further, since the initial values and tank constants for correcting the influence of the mounting position and size of the fuel tank are stored by a backup power supply or the like, these are set once during the test operation, and thereafter, the power is turned on and off. Regardless of the correction operation, the remaining oil amount can be accurately detected.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the system configuration will be described with reference to FIG.
1 is a fuel tank installed outdoors, 2 is an oil feed pipe for refueling a combustor installed indoors from an outdoor tank, 3 is a pressure sensor, whose output changes according to the residual oil amount of the fuel tank. In addition, it is detachably connected to a control device 7A described later by a connector or the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a refueling connection of the combustor, and a pressure sensor 3 is provided, which branches off at a T-shaped pipe. 5 is an oil leveler, 6 is a combustor, 7 is a control for correcting the mounting position of the fuel tank 1 and setting the size based on the output of the pressure sensor 3, and obtaining the residual oil amount according to the output of the pressure sensor 3. And is integrally incorporated in a control device 7A for controlling the operation and combustion of the combustor. Reference numeral 8 denotes a display unit, which is configured to double as a display unit of the combustor by a display changeover switch of an operation unit.

Next, the control configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 2. Reference numeral 9 denotes a display switching unit, which switches between the normal combustion display and the residual oil amount display because the display unit of the combustor also serves as described above. And an initial setting operation signal is also sent. An A / D input unit 10 reads the output of the pressure sensor 3 and converts it into residual oil amount data. Reference numeral 11 denotes an initial setting unit for correcting the mounting position of the fuel tank 1. That is, since the residual oil amount detection device of the present invention detects the residual oil amount by pressure, if the mounting position of the fuel tank 1 is different, the output of the pressure sensor with respect to the residual oil amount shifts, and accurate detection cannot be performed. . Therefore, the output of the pressure sensor when the residual oil amount in the fuel tank 1 is at the lower limit is set as an initial value, and is used as a reference when comparing the output of the pressure sensor. As a result, the output of the pressure sensor corresponding to the residual oil amount is obtained.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a tank constant setting unit,
The predetermined constant is set in accordance with the size of the fuel tank. In other words, the height dimension of the fuel tank is necessary when setting the “full” position, but in order to realize versatile residual oil level detection under the current situation where the size of the fuel tank varies widely. In this case, the configuration of the present invention in which the output of the pressure sensor is corrected according to the size of the fuel tank is an absolutely necessary condition.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a backup power supply for storing data of the initial setting unit 11 and the tank constant setting unit 12. Once set, the initial value and the tank constant are constant unless the fuel tank is replaced, and need not be changed each time. For this reason, a backup configuration is required to retain the memory even when the power is turned off.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a residual oil amount calculation unit which calculates residual oil amount data based on the initial value, the tank constant, and the read value of the pressure sensor 3 corresponding to the residual oil amount. Reference numeral 15 denotes a limiter 2, which outputs a combustion stop signal when the residual oil amount data has decreased to a predetermined level. Reference numeral 16 denotes a limiter 1, which outputs a signal for refueling notice when the residual oil amount data falls below a predetermined level. The level settings of the limiters 1 and 2 are corrected by the initial value and the tank constant.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a timer section for setting a calculation cycle of the residual oil amount. Reference numeral 18 denotes a display unit, which displays a result of the residual oil amount calculation based on a signal from the display switching unit 9. The display method is not particularly limited, and is displayed using the display unit of the combustor. It is also possible to provide a display device dedicated to displaying the residual oil amount. Reference numeral 19 denotes a combustion control unit which stops combustion when the fuel tank is "empty" according to a signal from the limiter 2.

The operation of the residual oil amount detecting device having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, when the residual oil amount in the fuel tank 1 is at the lower limit, the display changeover switch is turned on, the display switching unit 9 changes the display unit 18 from the normal combustion display to the residual oil amount display, and sends a signal to the initial setting unit 11. To read the output of the pressure sensor 3 at the lower limit of the residual oil amount via the A / D input unit 10. When the read data becomes stable, an initial setting switch built in the initial setting unit is turned on to set an initial value (Z).

Next, a predetermined constant (Y) corresponding to the size of the fuel tank 1 is set in the tank constant setting section 12, and the initial setting switch is turned off. With the above operation, the correction in the installation condition is completed, and the display corresponding to the residual oil amount becomes possible by the output of the pressure sensor 3. That is, after the initial setting is completed, when the fuel tank 1 is refueled to a predetermined oil level, an output is generated on the pressure sensor 3 according to the oil level. This output is read into the A / D input unit and obtained as oil level data (X). The residual oil amount calculation unit 14 calculates (X−Z) × Y from the data of the initial value (Z) and the tank constant (Y). Is performed to determine the residual oil level.

The above operation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. The height from the mounting portion of the pressure sensor 3 to the lower limit of the fuel tank 1 is H1, the height to the full amount is H3, and H2 is half the height. , First, at the height H1, a predetermined voltage A is generated from the output characteristics of the pressure sensor used. This voltage A is set as an initial value. next,
The setting of the “full” position, that is, the setting of the tank constant is performed. The height of H3 is obtained from the size of the fuel tank, and the output voltage C is obtained from the output characteristics of the pressure sensor. The rate of change between the output C and the initial value A is determined as a tank constant (Y). When the constants thus set and the sensor output are calculated and converted into residual oil amount data, the oil level H1 becomes 0 and H3 becomes 1, corresponding to the "empty" and "full" positions, respectively. In the case of H2 where the oil level is half, the residual oil amount data becomes 0.5 and the half amount state is displayed in the residual oil amount display.

FIG. 5 shows an example of residual oil amount data and a display method. Thus, the status of the residual oil amount is displayed on the display unit 18 based on the residual oil amount data calculated by the residual oil amount calculation unit 14. The calculation of the residual oil amount is performed by the timer unit 17 at a predetermined cycle, and is displayed based on the calculation result each time.

When the limiter 1 and limiter 2 lower the residual oil amount data below a preset value, a signal for refueling notice is first issued, and if the residual oil amount decreases further, a combustion stop signal is output. This limiter 1 and limiter 2 are also
The level is set by performing the correction using the initial value and the tank constant.

Further, since the control section 7 is built in the combustion control device 7A of the combustor 6, and the pressure sensor 3 is configured to be detachable, this residual oil amount detection device can be used as an option.

As described above, by performing the output correction of the pressure sensor based on the mounting position of the fuel tank and the size of the fuel tank, a highly versatile residual oil amount detecting device irrespective of installation conditions can be provided.

[0025]

As described above, the fuel tank residual oil amount detecting device of the present invention detects the residual oil amount of the fuel tank using the pressure sensor. The output of the pressure sensor is set as an initial value, and in the residual oil amount detection thereafter, the output of the pressure sensor according to the residual oil amount is determined based on the initial value to determine the residual oil amount using a predetermined arithmetic expression. Therefore, the influence on the display by the mounting position of the fuel tank and the pressure sensor is eliminated. In addition, since the element of the size of the fuel tank that determines the “full” position is also set as a tank constant in the calculation of the residual oil amount, the output of the pressure sensor and the residual oil amount according to the size of the fuel tank are set. Can be corrected, and the detection range can be set with high accuracy . Thus, a highly versatile residual oil amount detection device can be provided regardless of the type and installation conditions of the fuel tank. Also, set the detection range to “Empty”, “Full”
No need to adjust position, pressure sensor in "empty" position
-Read the output and set the tank constant according to the fuel tank.
Settings can be set automatically by simply setting
Can be simplified.

Further, since the residual oil amount is displayed on the display unit of the combustor and the operation for stopping the combustion when the fuel runs out can be easily performed, the combustion control can be performed with a cheap, highly reliable and simple configuration. Thus, a residual oil amount detection device can be provided.

Further, since the initial value for correcting the influence of the mounting position and the size of the fuel tank and the tank constant are stored by a backup power supply or the like, these are set once at the time of the test operation, and thereafter, the power is turned on and off. Regardless of the correction operation, the remaining oil amount can be accurately detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a residual oil amount detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between output characteristics of a pressure sensor of the device and residual oil amount data.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between residual oil amount data and display of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a conventional residual oil amount detection device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fuel tank 3 Pressure sensor 6 Combustor 7 Control part 7A control device 8 Display part 9 Display switching part 11 Initial setting part 12 Tank constant setting part 13 Backup power supply 14 Residual oil amount calculation part 15 Limiter 2 16 Limiter 1 17 Timer section

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-55-56528 (JP, A) JP-A-5-180438 (JP, A) JP-A-63-222222 (JP, A) JP-A-4-17234 (JP) , U) Practical application Microfilm (JP, U) photographing the contents of the specification and drawings attached to the application filed in Sho 63-170988 (Japanese Utility Model Application No. 2-92439) (58) Field surveyed (Int. . ^7, DB name) F23K 5/14 505 F23N 5/26 101 G01F 23/18

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A separate tank installed outdoors, an oil supply pipe for supplying fuel from the separate tank to a combustor, a pressure sensor disposed at an appropriate position on the oil supply pipe, and a fuel tank provided by an output of the pressure sensor. Bei a control unit, and a display unit for displaying the status of the residual oil amount by the control signal to calculate a residual oil amount
The control unit includes an initial setting unit that sets, as an initial value, the output of the pressure sensor that is read when the oil level of the fuel tank is at the lower limit, and a preset value according to the size of the fuel tank.
A tank constant setting unit for setting a predetermined constant determined because, before
Convert from the output of the pressure sensor as residual oil data
Has a residual oil amount calculating section, the residual oil amount calculating section, Tokoro than the initial value and the tank constant output and the initial setting of the pressure sensor
The oil level, that is, the residual oil amount, is calculated by using a constant arithmetic expression. When the result of the residual oil amount calculation falls below a preset value , the remaining amount of the fuel tank having the limiter 1 that issues a refueling notice is provided. Oil amount detection device. 2. The control unit is configured in a combustion control device of the combustor, and the display unit is configured by a display device of the combustor, and the display content is switched from the display of the combustor to the display of the residual oil amount. The fuel tank residual oil amount detecting device according to claim 1, further comprising a display switching unit. 3. The combustion control device of a combustor according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is incorporated in a combustion control device of the combustor, and a connection to a pressure sensor is used as an option as a detachable structure.
The residual oil amount detection device for a fuel tank according to the above. 4. The residual oil amount detecting device for a fuel tank according to claim 1, wherein a power source of said initial setting section is constituted by a backup battery and an initial value is stored.