CN101228071A

CN101228071A - System for monitoring propane or other consumable liquid in remotely located storage tanks

Info

Publication number: CN101228071A
Application number: CNA2006800190669A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 理查德·L·汉弗里
Original assignee: NORTH AMERICAN SATELLITE CORP
Current assignee: NORTH AMERICAN SATELLITE CORP
Priority date: 2005-04-02
Filing date: 2006-04-01
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-04-01
Also published as: EP1866205A2; CA2603956A1; WO2006107752A3; IL186247A0; WO2006107752A2; CN101228071B; US20060243347A1; AU2006232187A1

Abstract

An improved apparatus and method for monitoring the levels of propane or other consumable liquid in remotely located storage tanks and coordinating delivery of liquid to those tanks, including an improved method of using the remote monitoring data to identify out-of-ordinary conditions at remote tanks, optimally schedule purchases or deliveries, improve safety, and more efficiently operate a propane dealership. More accurate and timely information concerning the status of customer tanks serves to improve operational efficiencies and increase safety. Data received from remote sensors can be collected and organized so that it is easily understood and utilized through the implementation of a user interface accessible via the Internet that allows the information to be presented in an efficient graphical and contextual fashion. Operational efficiencies can also be improved by calculating site-specific Degree-days and K-factors for each tank and by taking historical propane usage for each tank, weather conditions, and projected fuel usage into account.

Description

Be used for monitoring the system of propane or other consumable liquid of the storage tank that is positioned at far-end

Technical field

The present invention relates to be used for delivering propane or other consumable liquid to storage tank that is arranged in far-end and the improved system that monitors in the fluid level of the storage tank that is positioned at far-end.

Background technology

Propane is gas, the derivant of a kind of natural fuels and petroleum products.It is a kind of in the many fossil fuel that are included in liquefied petroleum (LP) the gas family.Because propane is at U.S.'s LP gas of normally used the sort of type, so propane and LP gas usually are used with the free burial ground for the destitute.

Under normal bar pressure and temperature, propane is gas.Yet under intermediate pressure and/or lower temperature, propane becomes liquid.Because propane occupies much smaller space under its liquid form, it is stored in the stressed storage tank as liquid easily.When propane vapor (gas) was taken out from storage tank, some liquid in the storage tank gasified immediately and replaces the steam be removed.

About 1/3rd of the propane of family and the consumption of the office use U.S..The propane great majority are used in the family of the rural area that does not have natural gas service.Family's use propane more than 2,000 ten thousand satisfies their energy requirement, and 1,600 ten thousand families use the main thermal source of propane as them.Use propane to have big propane tank in the outside, house usually, be used for being stored under the pressure propane as liquid as the family of main energy sources.

Because family's heating is the main application of propane, its demand month in the winter time is with much higher.The resident of propane typically has the storage tank of the 250-500 gallon of being installed by local propane dealer, and can be linked into the deliver goods truck, is used for pouring into again.Depend on the weather the annual perfusion of representative type residential tank three to four times.Residential tank is had by propane dealer usually, and is leased to residential customers and collects annual fee.

Propane dealer is typically comprising 1 to 2 30,000 gallons large-scale storage factory outside operations of storing storage tanks.Single dealer can serve the factory zone of about 35 mile radius on every side usually effectively.Propane is transported to client house by large-scale deliver goods truck or " bobtail (the truncation formula vehicle) " that typically loads from 1,800 to 3,000 gallon propane.Client's storage tank is formed the best part of dealer's wealth usually.

Obviously, in big zone the storage tank of different size and different clients to use speed can be very challenging so that the dealer keeps all he's client's storage tank to be full of.The number needs that is stored and remains in the petrogas in client's propane tank will often be measured, and like this, propane dealer can be managed his propane form, arranges conveying effectively and most important keeps his client that propane is arranged.The storage tank of empty or overfill also has the important security consideration relevant, because may be breakneck with propane tank levels.And the cost relevant with conveying comprises the wage and vehicle operating and the fuel cost that are used to carry the workman, is the main portion that the dealer runs cost.For this reason, the dealer must attempt the ratio maximization of gallon of the propane of every mile conveying of will be advanced by transport vehicles, carries cost so that reduce.

Traditionally, standard practices is that propane dealer is visited each storage tank periodically and read the index gauge that is positioned on the storage tank, so that determine whether storage tank needs to pour into again.If tank level is low, then it will be poured into again; If not low, then conveyor is actually the waste stroke.Just as can be expected, the practice of this very low efficiency causes higher cost for dealer and client.

For this reason, developed many forecasting procedures, the suggestion preferably of using how much propane and when should carrying again about the client is provided to the dealer.Because propane mainly is used as heating fuel, the representative type forecasting procedure involves the factorization temperature and historic customer is used speed.Degree-sky (Degree-Day) is to be used for measuring a how cold unit was arranged in the time gap at 24 hours.Actual temperature is compared with 65 ° of basal temperatures, if temperature is lower, then difference is degree-fate of this day.For example, if 24 hours interior mean temperatures of time gap are 60 °, its basal temperature than 65 ° is little 5 °, so we will obtain 5 degree-skies of 24 hours time gaps hereto.Another notion is called as the K factor, and it is used for obtaining the suggestion of client's propane Occupation coefficient.Client's the K factor is that given client's (or burner section relevant with given storage tank) uses 1 gallon of degree-fate that propane spent.

Can obtain the suggestion preferably of delivering propane about when again from these two metric dealers.For example, can expect 275 gallon propane tank with historical K factor of 5 the client storage tank become empty before through 1375 degree-skies.Yet,, need before 1375 degree-skies disappear, carry because empty storage tank is dangerous condition (add that it means, the client uses up fuel).And the forecasting procedure of these types can not illustrate the unexpected time gap that is higher or lower than the normal propane use amount.Because this forecast only is to estimate, must leave very big error surplus on conveyor arrangement.This causes the conveying of more lower propane amount, thereby causes higher dealer to carry cost.

For many years, multiple best vehicle route computer program can be used for minimizing relevant mileage number and the traveling time of wanting with the vehicle that has known capacity by use of conveying.Yet all in the prior art such methods must depend on the several different methods of the propane use amount of forecasting the client because last conveying and, as discussed above, such forecasting procedure is complete failure-free anything but.

Recently, Long-Range Surveillance System be used for allowing be comprised in client's storage tank in the remote transmission of the relevant data of the level of blue gas.This permission " as required " is arrived storage tank to fuel or other FLUID TRANSPORTATION.Such supervisory system is more accurate compared with forecast system typically, and the efficient that has improved propane supplier.

The storage tank supervisory system of current use is included in the unsteady sensor (floatsensor) in the storage tank, is used for measuring fluid levels and temperature in storage tank.For Long-Range Surveillance System, be transported to data processing unit or display equipment from the data of the sensor communication network by particular type.Typically, data processing unit is a computing machine, and it is by using special software decoding and storage data.The information that is received by data processing unit provides the storage tank that monitors that individually each is specific.

A Long-Range Surveillance System known in the prior art utilizes RF broadcasting to come the data delivery from sensor is arrived data processing unit.Such system is relatively more cheap, yet they have very limited scope.Data processing unit typically is installed in the conveyor, and it must be near the client's that will report its level storage tank.

Another prior art systems is used modem and common telephone wire, and the data delivery from sensor is arrived data processing unit.Typically, when the propane in the storage tank reaches predetermined level, such system will use modem call and notification data processing unit.Client's telephone wire must be idle for system works.

Other the prior art systems that is used to monitor liquid volume is utilized satellite or cellular communication.Yet each in these systems also has shortcoming under some environment.For example, many satellite systems need the outside satellite antenna of installing suitably to expose.In addition, two way communication needs expensive equipment and installation.In some position, cover owing to lack honeycomb, cellular system is unpractiaca.

No matter use which kind of communication plan, usually obscure, need a lot of times to decipher and be formatted into useful form from the data that sensor receives.Even like this, the dealer still is difficult to interpret data or use information and organizes his truck and route best.And the dealer must can be linked into data processing unit, so that utilize data, this typically needs the dealer in fact in his office, so that monitor his business.In addition, some tank conditions such as crossing perfusion or other leakage, needs to note immediately.Sometimes be difficult to some unsafe conditions of identification.For example, can to represent to leak only maybe can be because a period of time that high fuel uses causes at interval to the data that show quick decline fuel level.For event beyond the common work-hours, the dealer must allow one day 24 hours supervisory systems of employee, otherwise these incidents will not be repaired before next working day.

The economic challenges that propane dealer also causes in the face of the seasonal characteristic owing to propane demand.As discussed above, during month in the winter time, be high for the demand of propane, but much lower during summer.Propane dealer has very big investment aspect storage tank, truck, employee and the basic design, and he only receives very poor repayment for this investment during the time gap of low demand.

Needed is to be used for monitoring in the level of the propane of the storage tank that is positioned at far-end or other consumable liquid and to coordinate the improved system that liquid is transported to these storage tanks better.

Summary of the invention

So, the purpose of this invention is to provide and be used for monitoring in the level of the propane of the storage tank that is positioned at far-end or other consumable liquid and coordinate improved equipment and the method that liquid is transported to these storage tanks better.This target realizes by following: telemonitoring customer storage tank and the data identification of using telemonitoring are in the exception condition at far-end storage tank place, arrange to buy or carry, improve safety and more economical the novel combination of improving one's methods of operating the propane dealer relation best.

Characteristic of the present invention and technological merit have below been summarized quite widely, so that the detailed description of the present invention below understanding better.Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention are described in the back.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that disclosed notion and certain embodiments can may be readily utilized the basis that is used to revise or be designed for other structure that realizes identical purpose of the present invention.Those skilled in the art should see that also such equivalent structure does not have to break away from the spirit and scope of the present invention as setting forth in claims.

Description of drawings

In order more fully to understand the present invention and its advantage, with reference now to the following explanation of having done in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 show wherein utilize cellular communication system, according to the preferred embodiment of remote propane supervisory system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 show wherein utilize the satellite communication scheme, according to the preferred embodiment of remote propane supervisory system of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows typical prior art wet tank and float gauge (floatgauge).

Fig. 4 shows the preferred embodiment of the monitor unit that uses in conjunction with cellular communication scheme.

Fig. 5 shows the preferred embodiment of the monitor unit that uses in conjunction with satellite modem.

Fig. 6 is according to representative type conveyor arrangement screen of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is according to representative type conveyor route screen of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is according to announcing (posted) client tank inventory figure every day of the present invention.

Fig. 9 A is dealer's the client's storage tank and the geographical satellite mapping of their present level.

Fig. 9 B is the geographical satellite mapping that zoom amplifies Fig. 9 A that shows each client.

Figure 10 A shows the outside according to explosion-proof tank of the present invention (case).

Figure 10 B shows the inside according to explosion-proof tank of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

The preferred embodiments of the present invention be provided for monitoring in the storage tank of far-end propane or other consumable liquid level system and method and coordinate the improved system that the liquid of the storage tank of far-end is carried.

Though the major part of the following description is at propane storage and conveying, the present invention can be used to be stored in usually the consumable liquid of any kind in the wet tank, comprises natural fuels or anhydrous ammonia.Therefore, scope of the present invention should not be limited to propane storage and conveying.And, though the major part of this discussion is at economic model, comprise that propane dealer provides service for the propane tank that is in customer site, but system and method discussed here similarly can be applicable to different economic models, for example comprise major company or other commercial entities, it provides service for a lot of far-end storage tanks from one or more centers storage facilities.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, a kind of agnostic (agnostic) communication plan can be used to the liquefied gas level in the telemonitoring storage tank.Therefore, communication not necessarily is limited to single communications platform.Any known suitable communication plan can be used to send data, such as honeycomb, land phone lines, wireless, satellite, cable or the like.Different communication plans can be used to different clients or location of tank, depends on which scheme is best for each client or position.The selection of optimal communication net can be based on such as the availability of the availability of position, cellular signal, telephone wire with by the factor of client's the equipment investment of wanting.

Fig. 1 shows that wherein cellular communication scheme is used to transmit data between storage tank monitor unit and central server according to an aspect of the preferred embodiment of remote propane supervisory system 100 of the present invention.Remote propane supervisory system 100 comprises central treating stations 102, and it is communicated by letter with a plurality of monitor units 107 that are positioned at customer site 106 by means of one or more cell towers 104.The preferably two way communication of communicating by letter between central server 102 and monitor unit 107.As what discuss in more detail below, monitor unit is collected from propane tank sensor with randomly from the data of one or more families monitoring sensor 108, and fluid level data is sent to central server 102.Data can be organized and handle then (this also is discussed below) and via satellite up-link 128 be sent to satellite 110 and/or be sent to internet or suitable in-house network from central server 102 by the webserver (web server) 124.Central server 102 can be included in one or more computing machines of one or more positions.End user 130 can for example have the Personal Computer visit data that the internet inserts by use by wireless satellite link or by the internet then.Central server 102 also can be communicated by letter with conveyor 140 by means of cell tower 104.

Fig. 2 shows another preferred embodiment according to remote propane supervisory system 200 of the present invention, and wherein satellite communication scheme is used to transmit data between storage tank monitor unit and central server.Remote propane supervisory system 200 comprises central server 102, and it is communicated by letter with a plurality of monitor units 207 that are positioned at customer site 106 by means of satellite 210.Monitor unit 207 can be communicated by letter with satellite 210 with the antenna (not shown) by means of satellite modem.In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, communication is unidirectional, from monitor unit 107 to satellite 210.Yet even more preferably, communicating by letter between monitor unit 207 and satellite 210 can be two way communication.As what discuss in more detail below, monitor unit is collected from propane tank sensor with randomly from the data of one or more families monitoring sensor 108, and fluid level data is sent to satellite 210.Data are sent to central server 102 by means of satellite uplink 228 then.Data can be organized and handle (this also is discussed below) then and are sent to internet or suitable in-house network by the webserver 224 from central server 102.End user 130 can pass through internet or suitable in-house network then, for example has the Personal Computer visit data that the internet inserts by use.Randomly, the monitor unit on conveyor 140 also can be communicated by letter with central server 102 with satellite uplink 228 by means of satellite 210.

Tank level can be monitored by a plurality of different mechanism well known in the prior art.For example, the index gauge of a common type (gauge) is called as float gauge.Show that as this title float gauge has the float (float) that rests on the measured flow surface.To rise or descend in the position of float along with the change of fluid level in the storage tank.The motion of float is instructed to meter typically by using magnetic coupling to come sensing, to provide visual or other fluid levels indication.Representative type float gauge and propane tank combination 300 are shown in Fig. 3.Float assembly 302 is installed in the inside of storage tank 304.As shown in Figure 3, the position of float 302 will change with the fluid level in the storage tank 308 and 310.Float assembly 302 is represented attachment mechanism, and sensor unit of the present invention detects the level of the propane inside storage tank by it.The perpendicular movement of float when it follows fluid level is transformed into by miniature gears 312 and rotatablely moves, and this miniature gears 312 is rotated in the axle that extends pipe 314 the insides and rotates main magnet 316.Float assembly 302 adheres to float head 318 under pressure sealing.Test indicator 320 is installed on the float head 318.

Test indicator 320 preferably includes the calibrated disc chamber (dialchamber) that has teletransmitter, and its visual indication that provides tank level also transmits the electrical signal to monitor unit simultaneously.This electric signal is used for providing the long-range indication of tank level.

Fig. 4 shows the preferred embodiment according to native client monitor unit 400 of the present invention.Monitor unit 401 comprises sealed cabinet 403, and it comprises treater 402 communication facilities relevant with at least one 404, such as cellular modem, circuit modulator-demodulator or satellite communication equipment.For example, Fig. 5 shows that wherein communication facilities is the preferred embodiment that has the satellite modem 518 of flat array antenna 516.Communication facilities 404 can be connected to exterior antenna 424.Treater 402 is preferably powered by battery 422 or optional external power supply 423 with relevant communication facilities 404, and communicates by letter with one or more propane tank sensor 412 by I/O port 405.State and trouble-shooting information can externally show by LED 408.

Treater 402 comprises the circuit that is used to implement following function: receive the data from these one or more propane tank sensor 412; Handle this data, and it is transformed into readable form, if necessary; In interval or the time selected in advance, be connected to the central server (not shown) to transmit the data of collecting by relevant communication facilities 404 and exterior antenna 424; And determine whether the situation that occurs being scheduled to; such as low fluid level or perfusion excessively; or predetermined unusual or " accident " incident does not take place, descend too fast (may represent to leak) such as fluid level, or descend not at all (problem may take place the expression tank sensor).As what discuss in more detail below, treater 402 also can comprise the circuit that is used to receive and store from the data of one or more temperature sensors, and uses these data to calculate for the specific degree in the place of each location of tank-sky value.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that described circuit can implement with traditional treater and/or controller, integrated circuit, discrete device or their combination in any.

Treater 402 can be by means of directly wired connection 418, IO port 406 are communicated by letter with tank level sensor 412 with communication bus 405.Treater 402 can be communicated by letter with a plurality of additional secondary sensors.For example, data can be collected by one or more families monitoring sensor 421 that can detect the temperature traverse in carbonic oxide, propane gas or the client family.Data from the additional sensor of these types can be sent to central server together with the data of relevant propane tank levels.Communicating by letter and can be undertaken by any adequate measures between monitor unit 401 and family monitoring sensor 421, described measure comprise wireless RF, X-10, direct line.Also with reference to Fig. 5 and Figure 10 B, in a preferred embodiment, RF antenna 512 and antenna can be structured in the circuit of treater 402.Alternatively, the 2nd I/O port allows the X-10 function, as what discuss below.

Preferably, cabinet 403 is sealed, avoids the hostile environment condition effect with the protection transmitting element.In the incident of mechanical breakdown, whole unit can be replaced easily.In a preferred embodiment, the monitor unit of Fig. 4 also provides I/O function (comprise FPDP, it allows monitor unit and X-10 equipment or client's personal computer communication).Though can use any suitable communication facilities in the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, this unit will have Master Communication Equipment, such as cellular modem, and stand-by facility, such as the ground line modem.

Monitor unit 401 can be by any suitable power operation, and described any suitable power supply comprises direct line, battery pack or solar charger.Depend on this power supply, communication facilities can be configured to different pattern work.Preferably, for example, be configured to make that by battery-powered monitor unit the communication facilities such as satellite modem was de-energized in the most of the time, so that save power.Treater 402 wakes communication facilities periodically up, to send data or to receive the order of importing.

In a preferred embodiment, monitor unit 401 can be collected data and in the specific time, for example report to central server once a day at 3:00a.m..Under the situation of cellular transmission, this typically allows the dealer to consult more cheap honeycomb speed plan, because the great majority transmission does not occur at the peak cellular time durations.If use ground line communication, then report the potential interference that should limit to client's telephone wire use at 3:00a.m..In addition, as discussed above, if monitor unit can be configured to take place the condition of particular type, for example comprised cross the storage tank of filling, greater than the use amount (this represent to leak) of expection, low amount of batteries or any other " accident " condition, then report immediately.

Fig. 5 shows another preferred embodiment according to native client monitor unit of the present invention.Monitor unit 501 comprises sealed cabinet 403, and it comprises treater 520 and battery supply 514.Satellite modem 518 is used to communicate by letter with one or more remote server (not shown) with smooth array antenna 516.Suitable satellite communication equipment for example can be from AeroAstro, Inc.of Ashburn, and VA obtains.RF antenna 512 and transceiver (not shown) are used to monitor and automatic unit that with one or more families the carbonic oxide or the propane detector that for example are arranged in client house communicate by the wireless RF transmission.The data of the unit that enables from these RF can and be handled by monitor unit 501 storages.For example, can be used to determine that from the data of internal monitors whether should start automatic storage tank cuts off, as what discuss in more detail below.The data that enable the unit from RF also can via satellite modem 518 be sent to remote central.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, data can be lined up before by report.This allows to collect very detailed data, and for example, tank level hourly makes the connecting time minimize simultaneously.This also allows communication system to tolerate communication failure more, because data were stored before satisfied communication is established.As what discuss in more detail below, the data of being collected and being sent by monitor unit not only can comprise tank level data, but also can comprise from the data of family's monitoring sensor (that is, C0 detector, propane detector, annex (appliance), smoke-detectors, safety checker or the like) with from the data and the historic records of on-the-spot degree-sky logger.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, the data that receive from tank sensor can be collected and organize, make it be understood and utilization by the embodiment of user interface by propane dealer easily, described user interface allows propane dealer to understand each client's current state in the mode of figure and text.This has improved the propane dealer analysis and for the fast and easily ability of reaction of data, and needn't check not the huge data with the optimum ordered tissue.

For example, in a preferred embodiment, essential information and history are addressable for each client or each storage tank.The tank inventory of color-code can be shown by figure ground, make the dealer can see the tabulation of client and tank level, and pick out the state of each client's storage tank immediately.Fig. 6 is according to representative type delivery schedule of the present invention.This screen display is for transport vehicles and client conveyor arrangement, selected use.In a preferred embodiment, the program of moving on central server is selected according to user-defined criterion.The user who authorizes can rewrite the selection of (override) program from this screen.Client's tank inventory is shown by figure ground, makes and can easily see fluid levels.Storage tank with enough propane levels can be represented with the screen color of selecting, and for example represents with the icon or the graphics shape of specific color.Need the storage tank of perfusion again to be shown by using different screen colors.The storage tank of crossing perfusion can be shown by using the third color.

Fig. 7 is according to representative type conveyor route of the present invention (routing) screen.Each halting point on the conveying route of arranging is shown by the order of the operational throughput of physical address, tankage and arrangement.Can also show the estimated time of conveying and the distance between the halting point.

As shown in Figure 8, the client's tank inventory figure that announces every day preferably allows the dealer to recognize client's usage trend and detects any strange phenomena, such as, unauthorized storage tank perfusion or extraction.Be presented at this chart figure preset time at interval in, for example 4 months at interval in fluid levels in client's the storage tank.This permission dealer discerns again immediately and pours into the date, and finds out whether there is the acute variation of using speed.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, color-coded data also can be displayed on the map, and it shows the position and the state of each storage tank.This provides the easy printing of route and Customer Location for chaufeur.The data that receive from client's storage tank automatically are used for creating the fluid level storage tank information list by the addressable color-code of propane dealer.The map that is presented at each customised color-code of carrying the Customer Location on route can be accessed by the internet, and be shown to the PC screen and printed by the conveying personnel.This allow the dealer obtain all he's client's storage tank and present level geography or " satellite " view, and draw landline, described landline utilizes dealer's assets most effectively and guarantees to satisfy client's needs.Preferably, map can show whole client storehouse, shown in Fig. 9 A, or amplifies on specific client or route, shown in Fig. 9 B.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, tank sensor data can be used to calculate most economical conveyor route.Wish to determine on each truck, to load how much propane, and the mode which stops to stand to save cost is carried.Utilize relevant information, such as the tank level data that receives from the client, about conveyor and size, the availability of truck and the information of transfer position point, adaptive algorithm is preferably with the demand of customer database and available conveyor is complementary and set up model for the most economical route of each available truck.By raising the efficiency, the dealer can utilize their equipment and employee more economically, and can be so that the maximization of the ratio of the gallonage of every mile gallonage and each halting point.By the fuel use amount in the historical propane use amount of determining to consider each storage tank when which storage tank of given landline should be poured into again, weather condition and expectation, modeling also can be a predictability.Also can consider historical, degree-sky, and Julian date (Julian day) (disappearance) forecast.Preferred embodiment also can comprise dispatching system, and it uses best route to determine to provide perfusion ticket (be defined on each truck and will load how much propane) to give the responsible personnel that pour into each storage tank in the morning, and route is provided and carries instruction to each chaufeur.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, system can need by industrial standard, or after incident, such as using up the gas situation, or after the time gap of forbidding disappears, lists the inspection of required client's storage tank, family and utensil in schedule.The boiling characteristics of propane gas causes the potentiality that serious branch takes place, if form pipeline or the joint that leaks.Be exposed under the situation of unsteered fuel at utensil with framework of opening or heating unit, also condition that may be dangerous.In the whole propane system of test on the conventional dispatch list or after anomalous event takes place, the pressure of checking storage tank, pipeline, adjuster, index gauge, connector, valve, vent window, calorstat, guides, burner section and utensil control can significantly reduce to lose one's life or the possibility of property damage.System has the warning propane dealer and the driver needs termly or carry out the ability of testing after anomalous event takes place.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, data (adopting the form of customer information, tank inventory or mail message) can be combined with accounts receivable (account receivable) information.Client's accounts receivable statement of account can be shown on the PC screen by the route tissue, or is printed on the route sheets of color-code discussed above.Paying when this preferably allows the dealer to arrange to carry preceding or conveying, or under the satisfied paying arrangement of situation can not make to(for) the client, reconfigure landline.

An aspect of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is at the client-server application of (internet and in-house network) Network Based, the information of the propane tank that it makes the dealer to visit to relate to them and the supervision of form and with as the additional relevant information of the production that enters service discussed below.Data from distance sensor are organized together with aforesaid figure and text, and therefore preferably by means of internet or LAN, WAN or the like can be used for end user's (for example, propane dealer).

The end user can select computer monitor is exclusively used in the continuous update displayed of such information.Information can be stored on central server, the webserver or the end user's computing machine, like this, can discern historical pattern and trend.

In addition, the dealer preferably can be by web browser interface and is monitored any warning in real time or influence their client or the anomalous event of business.In a preferred embodiment, alert notice--is crossed perfusion notice, the low-level notice of storage tank, anomalous event generation or from variation history or degree-day data and expectation such as storage tank--and can be announced in dealer's log in page.Warning can transmit or the email notification dealer by paging program (pager), text message.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand; by use permission straddle system upgrade and the enhancing of a plurality of dealers, and do not need a large amount of hardware or CD mailing by the service software of addressable, the interactive management Network Based of the website link of each password protection.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, be used for system that the remote tank of propane tank monitors and can use similar equipment and other products combined, so that provide additional non-seasonal income stream to propane dealer.As discussed above, propane business is seasonal, and the highest demand appears at the month in winter.Only use during the time gap of high demand though can comprise the monitoring equipment of the costliness of satellite, honeycomb and ground line communication system, this equipment is still in client's position in annual.Similarly, propane business typically needs to have the personnel of a large amount of technical expertises, but this speciality is usually only in the interim use of high required time.Between non-busy seasonal period, these employees that highly train typically will be used for many non-technical assignments.

According to the present invention, propane dealer can utilize these employees' speciality and existing monitoring equipment Infrastructure to come to provide Additional Services for the client.For example, the equipment that is used for the satellite communication of remote tank levels also can be used for providing satellite television or Internet service to the client.Installing can use these technical expertises to install and serve the satellite entertainment service with the identical employee who serves satellite surveillance system.

In a preferred embodiment, allow with being used to that identical equipment that storage tank monitors sends that family monitors and automation service and data (even satellite equipment or satellite equipment are not installed be under the disabled situation) in the wireless RF on the monitor unit or X-10 function.As well known to those skilled in the art, term X-10 relates to as being used for and passes through the alternating current line of force in the received standardized agreement of the industrial standard of communication between devices in individual facilities.X-10 communicates between emitter and receiver by transmission and received signal on the alternating current line of force.These signals comprise the short RF train of impulses (burst) of representing numerical information.This X-10 function can be passed through client's PC Be Controlled, and can be easily accessed by the internet.As discussed above, in a preferred embodiment, monitor unit will have built-in RF transceiver and antenna, and it allows treater and family's monitoring sensor or family's automatic equipment, carry out interface such as X-10 equipment and connect.The communication protocol of other type also can be used to connect family's monitoring sensor and monitor unit with being connected, and comprises that hardwired connects.This allows propane dealer also for relatively little equipment and training investment, and the special supervision that provides household safe and fire supervision, home automation and propane customers to want monitors such as carbonic oxide in the family and propane gas.

By combination of wireless amusement and RF or X-10 function and storage tank supervisory system discussed here, supervision and add on yield produce service and preferably benefit from the efficient of cost savings and raising.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, under the situation of the storage tank monitor communication scheme of the type that can use more than one, communication plan can be complementary with the Additional Services of being wanted by the client, therefore produces additional efficient and cost savings.For example, wish to buy under the situation of satellite television or Internet service the client, identical satellite equipment can be used to be provided at communicating by letter between monitoring sensor and the data server.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, transport vehicles and storage tank can be equipped with GPS emitter or transmitter-receiver, carry fleet to move and monitor the position of storage tank so that follow the tracks of.In conjunction with route system discussed above, the route that is used for various vehicles can be changed in middle of the road that is transported to the vehicle GPS system and variation route.In addition, gps system can to turn-off system combined with automated vehicle, its can be automatically or the artificially trigger, for example, if vehicle is from the route of its appointment (the expression vehicle is stolen) too far away.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, for each location of tank, the storage tank supervisory system can be equipped with in-to-in degree-sky monitoring device.Sensor preferably can be used to monitor continuously or periodically temperature reading or other weather condition in each tank site, so that calculate the degree-sky for the disappearance of each location of tank.Specific degree-sky the calculating in place can be used to predict more accurately tank level and determine whether more accurately to have unexpectedly incident.The calculating that these places are specific or carried out by storage tank supervisory system treater, perhaps data can be sent to central server and handle.Degree-the sky (every year) with accumulation of every day can be by the storage tank monitor unit or by central server stores.As discussed above, degree-sky is used for estimating propane (or other fuel) use amount historically.Yet degree-sky monitors and typically only finishes a position, such as the office in propane dealer.In this national some parts, temperature traverse every day in dealer's conveyor zones can be extreme.To be the significant improvement that is better than prior art in each location of tank place monitor temperature with using these data to calculate specific degree-sky, place.

Degree-sky that the place is specific and historic fuel levels can be used to calculate the K factor for each storage tank.And the degree-sky and the K factor are calculated and can be updated when the fluid levels of each measurement storage tank.This allows this calculating that the cycle of abnormal temperature or usage level is described better, this allows the improved detection of accident again, such as the tank float gauge of blocking, the Drainage valve of opening, underground line leaks, or reduces with client's history and current any of the inconsistent fluid levels of synoptic chart.

For storage and the degree-sky " in real time " of given storage tank, the K factor and use amount data also can be used to for example considered to be collected and the prediction algorithm of the some or all of data of storage calculates the tank level of prediction by monitor unit by using.The tank level of prediction can compare with the tank level of reality, so that determine whether the incident of meeting accident better.For example, the less relatively difference between prediction and actual level may trigger trade connection or service call with the inspection problem.Between level prediction and expection, may trigger more urgent response, flow such as notifying fuel dealer and client immediately or automatically shutting down fuel, as what discuss below than big difference.From data such as the aiding sensors of the temperature sensor that is arranged in the client house, degree-sky, the K factor and use amount data together with near storage tank or that place similarly also can be used to calculate the fuel level of prediction or detect accident more accurately.Moreover the specific calculating in these places can be carried out by storage tank supervisory system treater, or data can be sent to central server and handle.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, the storage tank supervisory system can be configured to automatically shut down the propane flow from storage tank in the incident of leaking.In client family or near very big propane leak may have the result of disaster.Yet Leak Detection may be difficult automatically.The propane gas detector has the battery of sensor and consumption, and they need be placed on leak near to be actv..In addition, because cost is high or difficulty is installed, many propane customers are not used other detector.Fast the fuel level that descends may be represented to leak, but also may be suddenly high propane use amount the result (can see sometimes, for example, when weather become when colder suddenly or when the temperature booster of being on duty or the work of commercial grain drier).On-the-spot degree-sky calculates feasible more easily determining when and has leakage.Tank level compared with desired situation about descending more quickly according to the degree-sky at scene under, if or level descend sooner compared with scheduled volume, the valve of treater control can be used to turn-off propane and flow out storage tank.Propane flow also can be turned off, if any auxiliary monitoring sensor for example is positioned at the sensor of client family the inside, detects the existence of a large amount of propane gas in the air.Preferably, if treater receives the order from central server, the shutoff order such as from the dealer also can start Shuttoff Valve.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, specific degree-the day data in place can be used to estimate more accurately storage space available in client's storage tank, and it can be made by the dealer again and be used for predicting more accurately the stock when dealer need replenish him.Propane arrives the dealer by pipeline can spend several days.Propane prices also had very big fluctuating in 1 year, like this, the dealer buys propane as much as possible during the low time gap of price be favourable.Propane use amount and available storage capacity are estimated accurately more, and the dealer determines when effectively more and buys additional fuel and should buy how much fuel.About the accurate information of the use amount of client's tank level and prediction allows the dealer to utilize client's storage capacity better, allow the dealer when price level is low, to buy more propane.In a preferred embodiment, about the data of weather condition of prediction also can be combined with data discussed above, with prediction several days fuel level in the future.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, degree-day data and tank level data can be used to estimate to be reduced to down in the storage tank fuel level of 5% reality.Fluid levels index gauge on the representative type propane tank only is reduced to 5%.Yet, even when fluid levels is reduced to zero, in storage tank and circuit, still there is the propane gas of certain volume, usually can provide several days fuel for the client.Empty storage tank in addition, importantly becomes all propane gas and pours into storage tank again before with sky, because may cause very big potential safety hazard at storage tank.Before pouring into again, empty storage tank must be removed all air so that moisture is displaced storage tank.And storage tank should carry out pressure test to guarantee not leakage.In addition, all indicator lamps that fueled by storage tank must be lighted again.Typically, propane delivery driver can not be poured into empty storage tank alone again, because need time and additional speciality.Instead, the employee with more special training and equipment must accompany chaufeur (increasing dealer's cost).Infer for fuel or vapor level by usage degree-day data and historical tank level data the dealer can estimate better when storage tank becomes complete sky near empty storage tank.This allows him waiting for the long as far as possible time before the perfusion again, but guarantees that also storage tank is not empty fully.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, pressure indicator can be installed on the storage tank, and like this, actual pressure data can be monitored by the identical mode of storage tank monitor unit with supervision fluid levels as discussed above.

According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention on the other hand, the storage tank monitor unit is placed in the designed protection cabinet so that with the chamber that is connected electrically in atmospheric sealing of monitor unit in carry out.Representative type is electrically connected or metal-to-metal contact causes the risk of spark--the potential hazard event when having any a large amount of propane gas.

Figure 10 A and 10B show according to protection cabinet 403 of the present invention.Cabinet 403 preferably seals with protection monitor unit circuit with gas tight seal avoids the hostile environment condition influence, and any electrical connection in the cabinet and the atmospheric envelope of encirclement cabinet are kept apart to prevent the blast when the propane leak incident.Also with reference to Fig. 5, wire joint 418 is used to the signal from test indicator 320 is carried to monitor unit 501.Wire joint 418 preferably is connected to monitor unit 501 by means of blastproof electrical connection.Use diaphragm or packing ring (not shown) to cause the gas tight seal that is inserting between adaptor union and the female connector before when insertion adaptor union 502 is connected to endoporus PCB mounted connector 504, carrying out any electrical connection, like this, any spark that produces in finishing connection is kept apart with the atmospheric envelope that surrounds cabinet 403.It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the multiple mode that gas tight seal around the wire joint is known in can be with prior art finishes, comprise flexible diaphragm, packing ring, machinery valve or their any combination.

Because electrical connection in cabinet 403 and circuit are kept apart with atmospheric envelope, so cabinet can be directly installed on the storage tank that comprises propane or other spontaneously inflammable fuel.Prior art systems is typically utilized the unit that is installed in the client family, and it only with at the transmitting element at storage tank place is communicated by letter by wired or wireless communication.By use receiving from the data of storage tank and send data to the self-contained storage tank monitor unit of central server, system's easier installation that becomes allows chaufeur rather than attendant to control and installs or change defective unit.In addition, allow whole unit to be installed to storage tank itself safely significant advantage is provided.Do not need to enter in the client family, like this, the client does not need at home when supervisory system is installed.And, monitor unit is placed on the outside of storage tank, make the dealer not pay the easier equipment of fetching under his situation of bill the client.Under the mechanical breakdown situation, whole unit can be replaced easily, does not need to enter into client house once more.Preferably, cabinet does not involve metal-to-metal contact by using, and is installed on the storage tank such as the method for attachment attached to the heavy body adhesive tape by the unit.

Though described the present invention and its advantage in detail, should see, can carry out multiple change, substitutions and modifications and not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention for the embodiments described herein as being defined by the following claims.And the scope of present patent application does not plan to be limited to the specific embodiment of compound, device, method and the step of the treating process described, machine, manufacturing, material in specification manual.Those skilled in the art will see from disclosure of the present invention, can utilize compound, device, method or the step of carrying out the function substantially the same with respective embodiments described herein and reaching the substantially the same treating process result, current existence or that develop later on, machine, manufacturing, material according to the present invention.Therefore, claims plan compound, the device of such treating process, machine, manufacturing, material, method or step are included in their scope.

Claims

1. equipment that is used for monitoring the fluid levels of fuel reservoir comprises:

At least one tank sensor, it provides the information that is illustrated in the Fluid Volume in the storage tank;

At least one monitor unit relevant with each storage tank, described monitor unit is linked at least one tank sensor communicatedly, the information of being measured by tank sensor is sent to monitor unit like this, and described monitor unit comprises treater, is used for receiving and handling the tank sensor information that is transmitted; And memory device, be used for storing handled tank sensor information; And

Wherein at least one monitor unit can be according to the fluid levels of the tank sensor information calculations that transmitted prediction and the relatively actual fluid levels and the fluid levels of prediction, so that determine whether the accident of being scheduled to.

2. the equipment of claim 1, wherein this at least one monitor unit also is linked to temperature sensor communicatedly, this temperature sensor provides the temperature information of the ambient temperature that is illustrated in the location of tank place, and wherein said monitor unit treater also receives and handles the temperature information that is transmitted, and the handled temperature information of described memory stores.

3. the equipment of claim 2, wherein handle the tank sensor information and the temperature information that transmit and comprise:

Use the fluid levels information of being stored to determine the historical fuel use amount of each storage tank;

Use described temperature information to calculate number for degree-sky each location of tank, that disappear;

Use historical fuel use amount and degree-sky value to calculate fluid levels for the prediction of each storage tank; And

The fluid levels of the fluid levels of comparison prediction and the reality of being determined by the fluid levels information that receives from described fluid sensor is so that determine whether the accident of being scheduled to.

4. the equipment of claim 1 also comprises and can turn-off the valve that fuel flows out storage tank, and described valve is connected to described monitor unit in work, and making can valve-off when predetermined accident takes place.

5. the equipment of claim 2, also comprise position at least one central server away from storage tank, this at least one central server is linked to described monitor unit communicatedly, and handled like this fluid levels and temperature information are sent to central server from described monitor unit.

6. the equipment of claim 5, wherein said information from described monitor unit via satellite communication system be sent to central server.

7. the equipment of claim 6 also comprises:

One or more aiding sensors are used to detect the generation of local phenomenon and detection signal are sent to monitor unit;

Described monitor unit can receive the detection signal from aiding sensors, handles this signal and the data of related detection signal are sent to central server by communication link.

8. the equipment of claim 7, wherein said detection signal is sent to monitor unit from these one or more aiding sensors by the wireless RF signal.

9. the equipment of claim 5 also comprises satellite communication system, is used for described information is sent to central server and wireless RF transceiver from monitor unit.

10. the equipment of claim 5, wherein said central server comprise executive software, at one or more computing machines of one or more physical locations.

11. the equipment of claim 1 also comprises graphic user interface, it is configured to download the information that will be shown and allows user's input.

12. the equipment of claim 11, wherein graphic user interface is the Internet browser.

13. the equipment of claim 11 wherein is organized about the information of fluid level data and is shown by figure ground.

14. the equipment of claim 13, wherein figure ground demonstration information comprises that display column goes out the tank inventory of client and corresponding fluid levels, and the level that is higher or lower than predetermined threshold is made by color-code and can easily discern specific fluid scope.

15. the equipment of claim 13, wherein figure ground demonstration information comprises all display alarm message of accident that remote monitoring unit notice central server no matter when has been scheduled to.

16. the equipment of claim 15 comprises that also the accident no matter when remote monitoring unit notice central server has been scheduled to all sends warning message by paging program, text message or E-MAIL.

17. the equipment of claim 1, wherein tank sensor comprises pressure indicator.

18. the equipment of claim 1, wherein said monitor unit is placed in the non-metal shell, this shell is opened monitor unit and the isolated from atmosphere of surrounding shell, and wherein said monitor unit is linked at least one tank sensor communicatedly by explosion-proof electrical connection.

19. the equipment of claim 18, wherein the monitor unit shell is mounted on the storage tank.

20. a method that monitors two or more liquid fuel storage tanks comprises:

By means of relevant with each storage tank and be linked to the fluid sensor that the fluid levels of the Fluid Volume that is illustrated in storage tank information is provided communicatedly and be linked at least one monitor unit of the temperature sensor of the temperature information that the ambient temperature that is illustrated in the location of tank place is provided communicatedly, determine the fluid levels in each storage tank, described monitor unit comprises treater, is used for receiving and handling fluid levels and the temperature information that is received;

Storage is for the described fluid levels and the temperature information of each storage tank;

In a period of time interval, determine the historical fluid levels of each storage tank by the fluid levels information of storage;

By using described temperature information to calculate for degree each location of tank, in described time gap-sky number.

21. the method for claim 20, comprise also that being sent at least one central server that to handle and to store described information described central server position is away from storage tank and be linked to described monitor unit communicatedly from the described fluid levels and the temperature information of each monitor unit.

22. the method for claim 20 also comprises:

Use historic fuel levels and degree-sky value to calculate fluid levels for the prediction of each storage tank; And

The relatively fluid levels of the reality of being determined by the fluid levels information that receives from described fluid sensor and the fluid levels of prediction are so that determine whether the accident of being scheduled to.

23. the method for claim 22, the wherein said accident of being scheduled to that determines whether comprises more current fluid levels and predetermined threshold or stored historical fluid levels, determining whether fluid levels is too high, too low, or whether fluid levels descends too fast or descends soon inadequately.

24. the method for claim 22, the wherein said accident of being scheduled to that determines whether comprises the more current fluid levels and the fluid levels of prediction.

25. the method for claim 22, wherein the fluid levels of the reality of relatively being determined by the fluid levels information that receives from described fluid sensor and the fluid levels of prediction be so that determining whether the accident of being scheduled to also comprises if predetermined accident takes place, then starts remote-operated valve and turn-off mobile from the fuel of one of them individual described storage tank.

26. the method for claim 20 also comprises and uses historic fuel levels and degree-sky value to calculate remaining predict fuel in having less than one of them individual described storage tank of 5% fluid levels.

27. the method for claim 20 also comprises and uses historic fuel levels and degree-sky value to calculate remaining predict fuel in having one of them individual described storage tank of 0% fluid levels.

28. the method for claim 20, also comprise use historic fuel levels and degree-sky value calculate time in future in two or more storage tanks with remaining predict fuel.

29. one kind is used for monitoring in the system of the propane of two or more far-end storage tanks of different positions, comprises:

Relevant with each storage tank and be linked to the fluid sensor that the fluid levels of the Fluid Volume that is illustrated in storage tank information is provided communicatedly and be linked at least one monitor unit of the temperature sensor of the temperature information that the ambient temperature that is illustrated in the location of tank place is provided communicatedly, described monitor unit comprises treater, be used for receiving and handling fluid levels and the temperature information that is received, and described monitor unit uses the fluid levels information of storage to determine the historical fuel use amount of each storage tank, use described temperature information to calculate degree-sky number for the disappearance of each location of tank, use historical fuel use amount and degree-sky value to calculate fluid levels for the prediction of each location of tank, and the fluid levels of the fluid levels of comparison prediction and the reality of determining by the fluid levels information that receives from described fluid sensor, so that determine whether the accident of being scheduled to;

The position away from these two or more storage tanks to be linked at least one central server of each monitor unit communicatedly, described central server is handled the propane horizontal information that receives to provide displayable fluid level data and stored historical propane horizontal data forecasts propane level in the future by utilizing at least;

Graphic user interface, it is connected to this at least one central server and is configured to by the internet and allows the user to import and download the information that will be shown, (i) is organized about the information of propane horizontal data and shown by figure ground like this, (ii) information is shown as the tank inventory of listing client and corresponding fluid levels at least, and the level that is higher or lower than predetermined threshold is made by color-code can easily discern specific propane scope, and the accident that (iii) no matter when remote monitoring unit notice central server has been scheduled to or aiding sensors display alarm message all when detecting value beyond preset range; And

Valve, it can turn-off fuel and flow out from storage tank, and described valve is connected to described monitor unit in operation, and valve can be closed when predetermined accident takes place like this.

30. the system of claim 29 also comprises:

One or more aiding sensors, the normal level that it can detect the existence of local temperature, propane gas or be higher than carbonic oxide, concurrent censorship is surveyed signal at least one monitor unit; And

At least one monitor unit, it receives the detection signal from aiding sensors, and handle this signal and determine whether this value is in beyond the preset range, and if then by communication link the data of related detection signal are sent to central server.