JPH0353197B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a device for determining the type of liquid contained in a storage tank, and more specifically, the present invention relates to a device for determining the type of liquid contained in a storage tank. , relates to a liquid type discriminating device that can display the liquid type via a controller on the tank car side. This is used in the field of preventing mix-up of liquid types when unloading different types of liquids from tank cars to storage tanks at liquid receiving facilities.

[Conventional technology]

When a desired liquid type is unloaded from a tank truck transporting the same or different types of liquids, such as gasoline, kerosene, or light oil, at a gas station that is a liquid receiving facility, a storage tank containing each liquid type is used. If a refueling hose for discharging liquid is connected to a storage tank in which a different type of liquid is stored, mismatches may occur due to incorrect selection of the type of liquid or the display of the liquid type on the storage tank is faded. In such a case, a situation arises in which the type of unloading liquid and the type of stored liquid do not match.

To avoid this confusion of liquid types, a connector with a built-in energizing body of a different shape is installed for each storage tank containing a different type of liquid, and a energizing terminal that can be connected to any of the connectors is installed at the tank car refueling tank. A device has been proposed that is installed so as to be moved along with a hose, and that the type of liquid contained in the storage tank can be determined by connecting the energizing terminal and the connector, and it is possible to confirm whether unloading is possible. .

Adopting almost the same idea,
There is a replenishment management method for underground tanks described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-2208. In this system, when a refueling hose is connected near the inlet of the storage tank, an electric switch is turned on and a lamp displays the type of liquid to be poured into the inlet. Therefore, if the operator confirms the display during refueling work, confusion of liquid types can be avoided.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In the former example above, it is necessary not only to connect the refueling hose to the storage tank's inlet, but also to connect a cord with an energized terminal, so the tank car must be accurately stopped in a predetermined position. However, depending on the equipment layout of the liquid receiving facility, unloading operations may become extremely complicated. of course,
In the latter example, that is, the example described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-2208, a cord is used to connect the liquid receiving facility and the tank car, and the electric components of the tank car are connected to the liquid receiving office. A connection must be made with the control device. In any case, at gas stations and the like, there is a problem in that accuracy in the stopping position of tank cars is required, and preparation for unloading requires time and effort.

By the way, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 49-2208, a lamp or the like for displaying the type of liquid is provided on the outer wall of an office building that receives the liquid. Therefore, when unloading liquid into a storage tank, if the tank truck must be parked far away from the indicator lamp device, the type of liquid cannot be easily confirmed, and the If the display lamp board is located on a wall with different shielding walls and different orientations, it becomes extremely troublesome to check.

By the way, if the liquid to be determined is highly flammable, electrically detecting the liquid type may cause a fire or tank explosion due to sparks or electrical leakage when connecting the connector. There is a possibility that you may end up in an extremely dangerous situation.

The present invention has been developed in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to avoid misunderstandings and erroneous operations by workers when unloading a desired liquid type from a tank car to a storage tank, and to prevent the strictness of the stopping position of a tank car. The liquid type display can be read around the tank truck without requiring the operator to confirm the type of liquid at any storage tank at the liquid receiving facility, making it easier for unloading workers to confirm the type of liquid and reducing their workload. Furthermore, by wirelessly transmitting a signal identifying the type of liquid in the storage tank to the tank truck, the cord connection work can be avoided, reducing the possibility of sparks or electrical leakage. By using signals other than electrical signals to transmit information that would otherwise require the use of wires to transmit liquid type signals, it is possible to avoid dangers such as liquid igniting during detection work. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for determining the type of liquid contained in a storage tank, which allows unloading work to be carried out safely and easily.

[Means to solve the problem]

The device for discriminating the type of liquid stored in a storage tank of the present invention detects the amount of liquid stored in the storage tank when a refueling hose connected to the tank chamber of a tank car is connected to one of the inlets of the storage tank at the liquid receiving facility. It is applied to a stored liquid type discriminating device in which the type is displayed.

Its characteristics are as shown in Figure 3.
A light transmitting fiber 13 that transmits light from a light emitting source 14 provided in the liquid receiving facility 5 to the vicinity of the injection port 3m of each storage tank 3 and emits the light into space.
An optical fiber system 13 having a light receiving fiber 13N that receives the emitted light and returns it to the light receiving section 15 is provided. When the optical path of the emitted light connects the refueling hose 6 of the tank car 2 shown in FIG.
The light-receiving portion 1
An optical switch 7 for sending an on or off signal to the storage tank 5 via the light-receiving fiber 13N is provided near the injection port 3m of each storage tank 3.

A frequency generator 11 that receives an on or off signal from the optical switch 7 and generates or selects a frequency corresponding to the type of liquid contained in the storage tank 3 is installed in the liquid receiving facility 5. . There is a wireless transmitter 12 that wirelessly transmits the liquid type signal output from the frequency generator 11 toward the tank car 2, and a wireless receiver 4 that receives the liquid type wireless signal from the wireless transmitter 12. It is installed in car 2. Then, an operation command controller 1 for determining the type of liquid stored in the storage tank 3 based on the frequency signal from the wireless receiver 4.
7 is mounted on the tank car 2, and a display panel 18 (see FIG. 5) that displays the type of liquid based on the output signal from the operation command controller 17 is installed on the tank car 2.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, a signal for the type of liquid contained in a storage tank is transmitted to a frequency generator using an optical fiber, and the signal is transmitted wirelessly to a tank car, and a display panel attached thereto transmits a signal for the type of liquid contained in a storage tank to a frequency generator. The system allows for confirmation, which reduces the workload of unloading workers by reading and checking near tank cars parked near storage tanks, and prevents unloading liquid types due to misunderstandings or incorrect operations. confusion can be reliably avoided. In addition,
Since electricity is not used for detection, it is possible to eliminate the possibility of a flammable liquid catching fire due to sparks or electrical leakage, and ensure the safety of liquid discharge work. Moreover, since there is no need for a cord between the tank car and the storage tank to communicate the type of liquid, the designated function can be performed even if the stop position of the tank car for unloading is not accurate, speeding up the work. can be realized.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on examples thereof. Multiple tank chambers 1A as shown in Figure 1
A tank car 2 carrying a tank 1 consisting of ~1C is equipped with a wireless receiver 4 for receiving a signal corresponding to the type of liquid contained in the storage tank 3, such as gasoline, diesel oil, or kerosene. ing. This inputs a liquid type signal to an operation command controller 17, which will be described later, and the operation command controller 17 separately performs a predetermined control operation depending on the liquid type determined from the signal. .

On the other hand, a liquid receiving facility, for example, a gas station 5, is provided with storage tanks 3a to 3c buried underground for individually storing various liquids, and a tank car is located near each injection port 3m. An optical switch 7 is provided which is turned on or off when the second refueling hose 6 is connected.

That is, as will be described later, a light transmitting device for transmitting light from a light emitting source 14 (see FIG. 3) provided at the gas station 5 to the vicinity of the injection port 3m of each storage tank 3 and emitting the light into space. Fiber 13M and
An optical fiber system 13 having a light-receiving fiber 13N that receives the emitted light and returns it to the light-receiving section 15 is provided. And the refueling hose 6 of the tank car 2
When connected to the inlet 3m for liquid unloading, the optical path of the emitted light is interrupted by the movement of the light shielding plate 9 (see FIG. 2) by the pressing member 6m provided at the tip of the refueling hose 6. An optical switch 7 that sends an on or off signal to the light receiving section 15 via the light receiving fiber 13N is connected to the inlet 3 of each storage tank 3.
It is provided near m.

The above-mentioned optical switch 7 emits a light on/off signal by means of a light shielding plate 9 which advances and retreats along an optical path that is folded back by a prism 8 as shown in FIG. This is because a pressing member 6m is attached to the tip of the refueling hose 6 as shown in FIG. For example, by pushing down against the elastic force of the switch and blocking the passage of light, an off signal is output.

As shown in FIG. 3, the gas station 5 equipped with such light switches 7a to 7c has
A frequency generator 11 is installed which receives the off signal and generates or selects a frequency corresponding to the liquid type stored in the corresponding storage tank 3, and transmits the liquid type signal of that frequency to the wireless receiver of the tank car 2. A wireless transmitter 12 for wirelessly transmitting data to the storage tank 3 is provided on the side of the storage tank 3. A light emitting source 14 is provided together with a frequency generator 11 and the like, and a light transmitting fiber 13M transmits the light to the optical switch 7.
An optical cable system 13 consisting of a light receiving fiber 13N that returns the light reflected by the prism 8 of the optical switch 7 to the light receiving section 15 is wired for each of the optical switches 7a to 7c.

The frequency generator 11 identifies which storage tank 3 belongs to the optical cable system 13 to which the light feedback has been interrupted at the optical switch 7.
The type of liquid contained in the storage tank 3 to which the refueling hose 6 is connected is determined. As a result, for example, when the light in the optical cable system 13b of the storage tank 3b is cut off by the optical switch 7b, a unique modulation frequency of 400 Hz corresponding to the light oil stored in the storage tank 3b is selected or generated. It's getting old. For gasoline and kerosene stored in the other storage tanks 3a and 3c, different frequencies such as 600Hz and 200Hz are transmitted from the wireless transmitter 12.

This wireless transmitter 12, as shown in FIG.
The frequency corresponding to the liquid type is, for example, carrier frequency 260M.
It is designed to emit an electromagnetic radio signal carried on Hz electromagnetic waves, but the point is that it is sufficient to transmit the liquid type signal to the tank car 2 side wirelessly, and signals using ultrasonic waves, light, etc. may also be used. . This signal is received by the wireless receiver 4 mentioned above, converted again into a signal representing the liquid type by the signal converter 16, and sent to an operation command controller 17 such as a microcomputer mounted on the tank car 2. It is now being entered. When a stored liquid type signal is detected according to the received frequency, the operation command controller 17 receives the signal and performs a control operation. The operation command is issued by lighting a lamp 19 corresponding to the liquid type on a display panel 18 attached to the tank car 2 as shown in FIG. Demonstrate function.

According to such an embodiment, the type of liquid in the storage tank 3 can be safely detected as described below, and the type of liquid can be discriminated on the tank car 2 side. It is possible to prevent confusion of unloading or loading liquid types.

Assuming that the tank 1 of the tank car 2 stores gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil individually in the tank chambers 1A to 1C, the following is an example of the case where kerosene is unloaded into the kerosene tank of the gas station 5. explain.

As shown in FIG. 1, an operator connects the refueling hose 6 connected to the discharge pipe 20 to the inlet 3m of the kerosene tank 3c of the storage tank 3. At the same time, the light switch 7c is activated by the pressing member 6m.
The light shielding plate 9 is pressed against the elastic force of the spring 10. As a result, the light from the light emitting source 14, which always emits light, is blocked by the optical switch 7c, and no light returns through the light receiving fiber 13N. The light receiving section 15 outputs an off signal, and the frequency generator 11 receiving the signal outputs a kerosene signal stored in the storage tank 3c corresponding to the optical switch 7c. Radio transmitter 12 receiving the output signal
The signal is wirelessly transmitted from the signal converter 16 to the radio receiver 4 and is input to the operation command controller 17 from the signal converter 16 .

The operation command controller 17 determines from the signal that it is kerosene, and indicates that the storage tank 3c to which the refueling hose 6 is connected contains kerosene by lighting the lamp 19c shown in FIG. Or, an electronic sound may be emitted to identify it as kerosene. The unloading work range of the worker is usually around the tank car, and the worker can easily check the type of liquid from the display panel 18 attached to the tank car 2 while preparing for unloading work or discharging the tank car. can do. Therefore, compared to a case where the liquid type is displayed on an office building or the like where the liquid is received, the work of confirming the liquid type becomes much smoother.

If the above display does not indicate kerosene, the operator connects the fuel supply hose 6 to the inlet of another storage tank and repeats the connection and confirmation operations one after another until the indicated liquid type is kerosene. When it is confirmed that it is kerosene, the bottom valve 23B is opened using the operating handle 22B provided on the tank chamber 1B, and the discharge valve 21 is further opened.

Even if a worker makes a misunderstanding or makes an erroneous operation during such work, and the work continues without noticing it, another worker may turn on the lamp 19c and open the filler port 3m to which the refueling hose 6 is connected. It is possible to judge whether the work is correct or not by observing only from around the tank car. Therefore, it becomes extremely easy for a third party to point out the problem, and together with the ease of reconfirmation by the operator himself, it is possible to reduce the frequency of discharging mixed liquid types.

In addition, the operation command controller 17 checks whether the specified unloading liquid type and the liquid type stored in the storage tank match, whether the loaded liquid type matches the liquid type stored in the storage tank, or whether the alarm generation command function or discharge is performed in the event of a mismatch. If the prevention command function is activated, it is possible to more reliably prevent the types of unloading liquids from being mixed up. In addition, the operator can check whether the liquid type specified using a separate liquid type specifying device matches the liquid type in the storage tank,
Checks whether the type of liquid discharged from the tank room and the liquid in the storage tank into which it is injected match, and issues an alarm if the types of liquid do not match. It is also possible to automatically issue a command to prevent the liquid from being discharged by activating a locking device separately provided on the discharge pipe or the like.

By the way, since such liquid type detection is performed via an optical cable system, it is possible to eliminate electrical wiring in the vicinity of the storage tank. In addition, the signal transmission between the gas station and the tank truck when confirming the liquid type is wireless, so even if the liquid to be determined is a highly flammable liquid such as the above-mentioned gasoline, Since there is no spark or electrical leakage when the connector is connected, extremely dangerous situations such as fire or tank explosion cannot occur.

The above-described embodiment describes unloading from one chamber of a tank that transports three types of liquids, but when the tank is a multi-chamber tank with two or more chambers and handles two or more types of liquids, or the number of chambers in the tank is Needless to say, it can be applied to unloading to any one of a plurality of storage tanks, regardless of the situation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a liquid unloading operation using the storage tank storage tank type discriminating device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an optical switch, Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the storage tank inlet, and Fig. 4 The figure shows the transmission system diagram of the liquid type signal.
The figure is an example of a panel that displays the detected liquid type. 1A to 1C...tank room, 2...tank car,
3,3a-3c...Storage tank, 3m...Inlet, 4...Wireless receiver, 5...Liquid receiving facility (gas station), 6...Refueling hose, 7,7
a~7c...light switch, 9...light shielding plate, 11...
...Frequency generator, 12...Radio transmitter, 13,1
3a to 13c...Optical cable system, 13M...Light transmitting fiber, 13N...Light receiving fiber, 17...
...Operation command controller, 18...Display panel.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When a refueling hose connected to a tank chamber of a tank car is connected to an inlet of one of the storage tanks at a liquid receiving facility, the type of liquid stored in the storage tank is displayed. A light-transmitting fiber that transmits light from a light-emitting source provided in the liquid receiving facility to the vicinity of the injection port of each storage tank and emits the light into space; An optical fiber system has a light-receiving fiber that receives the emitted light and returns it to the light-receiving part, and is installed near the inlet of each storage tank, and connects the tank car's refueling hose to the inlet for unloading liquid. Then, the optical path of the emitted light is interrupted by advancing and retracting a light shielding plate by a pressing member provided at the tip of the refueling hose, and an optical switch that sends an on or off signal to the light receiving section via the light receiving fiber; a frequency generator installed at the liquid receiving facility for receiving an on or off signal from the optical switch and generating or selecting a frequency corresponding to the type of liquid contained in the storage tank; The liquid type signal output from
A wireless transmitter that transmits wirelessly to the tank car, a wireless receiver mounted on the tank car to receive the liquid type wireless signal from the wireless transmitter, and a frequency signal from the wireless receiver. In order to determine the type of liquid stored in the storage tank, there is an operation command controller mounted on the tank car, and an operation command controller installed on the tank car to display the liquid type using the output signal from the operation command controller. A device for determining the type of liquid contained in a storage tank, comprising: a display panel;