FILLING STATION FOR GAS CYLINDERS AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND METHOD

Abstract

A filling station comprises a filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station and a filling device for refueling a motor vehicle, wherein the filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station is arranged adjacent to the filling device for refueling a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. Filling station comprising a filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station and a filling device for refueling a motor vehicle, wherein the filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station is arranged adjacent to the filling device for refueling a motor vehicle.

2. Filling station according to claim 1, wherein the filling station comprises a plurality of assembly units which can be pulled out of the filling station separately from one another, and one assembly unit is the filling station configured for the automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station.

3. Filling station according to claim 2, wherein an assembly unit is a filling device for refueling a motor vehicle.

4. Filling station according to claim 1, wherein the filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station comprises an insertion device into which a gas bottle can be inserted, that the filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station comprises a locking device for a locking after the insertion of the gas bottle into the insertion device in such a manner that a removal of the gas bottle after the locking is not possible, and that the filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station comprises a refilling device for an automated filling of an inserted emptied gas bottle after the locking.

5. Filling station according to claim 1, wherein a tank for gas is provided and both filling devices are connected to the tank in a gas-conducting manner, so that both a gas bottle and a motor vehicle can be filled or refueled with gas stored in the tank.

6. Filling station according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a walkable platform in front of the two filling devices, wherein the walkable platform is at least 60 cm, preferably at least 80 cm, wide and/or wherein the walkable platform is not more than 150 cm, preferably not more than 120 cm, wide and/or wherein the walkable platform is at least 100 cm, particularly preferably at least 120 cm, long and/or wherein the walkable platform is not more than 300 cm, particularly preferably not more than 250 cm, long.

7. Filling station according to claim 1, wherein one or more beams protrude upwards from the walkable platform and the one or more beams are arranged at the outer edge of the walkable platform, namely at the two corners of the outer edge.

8. Filling station according to claim 7, wherein the beams are part of a frame formed of beams, wherein the lower horizontally extending beam of the frame has two openings for a fork of a forklift.

9. Filling station according to claim 1, wherein the walkable platform is arranged on or above the lower horizontally extending beam of the frame.

10. Filling station, according to claim 1, wherein the filling station comprises a plurality of assembly units which can be pulled out of the filling station separately from one another.

11. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein each assembly unit comprises rollers which allow each assembly unit to be rolled out of the filling station.

12. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein the assembly units can be pulled out of a walkable space with a lockable door.

13. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein the assembly units can be pulled out in the direction from which the filling devices are operable by a user.

14. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein the assembly units are connected to each other by bars on one side and/or that the assembly units are fastened to an inner frame by means of bars and the bars can be non-destructively detached from the assembly units and/or the inner frame.

15. Filling station according to claim 14, wherein the bars are arranged at the back side of the assembly units and operating elements for filling with gas are present at the front side of the assembly units.

16. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein one assembly unit is the filling device for an automated filling of a gas bottle inserted in the filling station and/or one assembly unit is the filling device for a refueling with gas and/or one assembly unit comprises an operating and/or payment device.

17. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein one or more, preferably all assembly units comprise closed front sides.

18. Filling station according to claim 10, wherein an assembly unit comprises a lockable flap on the front side.

19. Method for an automated filling of a gas bottle comprising the steps: an end user inserts the gas bottle into a filling device provided therefor; a locking device of the filling device locks in such a way that the inserted gas bottle can no longer be removed by the end user after the locking; after the locking, the inserted gas bottle is filled with gas in an automated manner, after the automated filling with gas, the locking device opens, after the locking device has opened, the end user removes the gas bottle filled with gas.

20. Method according claim 19, wherein the end user, who has inserted the gas bottle into the filling device provided therefor, refuels a motor vehicle by means of a filling device of the filling station configured for refueling a motor vehicle.

Description

[0072] The figures show:

[0073] FIG. 1: Filling station with numbering machine;

[0074] FIG. 2: Cage of the filling station;

[0075] FIG. 3: Back side of the filling station;

[0076] FIG. 4: Assembly units of the filling station;

[0077] FIG. 5: Front side of another filling station;

[0078] FIG. 6: Interior space as seen from the back side.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a filling station 1 comprising a filling device 2 for an automated filling of a gas bottle 3 inserted in the filling station, and a filling device 4 for refueling a motor vehicle. The filling device 2 for an automated filling of a gas bottle 3 inserted in the filling station 1 is arranged adjacent to the filling device 4 for refueling a motor vehicle. In front of the two filling devices 3 and 4 there is a walkable platform 5, which is provided by a date consisting of steel. The walkable platform 5 is 80 cm to 140 cm wide and 150 cm to 250 cm long.

[0080] Two only partially shown beams 6 protrude vertically upwards from the platform. The two beams 6 are located at the outer edge of the platform 5, namely the two corners of the outer edge. The two beams 6 are part of a frame formed from beams. In FIG. 1, there is also shown the lower horizontally extending beam 7 of the frame. This has two continuous openings 8 for a fork of a forklift.

[0081] On the back side 9 there is an identically built frame. The corners of the two frames are connected by a total of four longitudinal beams 10. In total, a cage consisting of beams is provided which protects the filling station. All beams 6, 7, 10 consist of steel and have a square or rectangular hollow cross section. The ends of the beams 6, 7, 10 are welded and/or bolted together and connected in this way. The walkable platform 5 is located above the lower horizontally extending beam 7 and rests on it. In addition, the walkable platform 5 rests on the lateral lower longitudinal beams 10. The platform 5 is fastened to these beams 7 and 10, for example by a screw connection or a riveted connection.

[0082] The two filling devices 2 and 4 are assembly units which can be pulled out separately from each other towards the front as indicated by arrows and in the direction from which the filling devices 2 and 4 can be reached by a user. To facilitate this, the filling devices 2 and 4 have rollers on the underside and stand on a base 11 which forms a common flat surface with the walkable platform 5. In order to provide the base 11 and the walkable platform 5, a common plate, for example consisting of steel, can be provided. However, there may also be a plurality of plates which are assembled accordingly. The substrate 11 also rests on the lower beams 10 accordingly and is fastened to them, for example screwed or riveted. There is a further assembly unit 12 which is rollably supported by rollers and can be pulled out towards the front, and which comprises an operating and payment device 13 and one or more displays 14. The assembly unit 12 is also located on the base 11.

[0083] All assembly units 2, 4 and 12 are located in a walkable space which comprises two side walls 15 and a ceiling 16. The walkable space is bounded at the bottom by the base 11. The walkable space further comprises a back wall on the back side 9, which is equipped with a lockable door. All assembly units 2, 4, 12 which can be rolled out of the walkable space towards the front are less deep than the walkable space. The walkable space can therefore be accessed via the back side through the door provided here. Assembly work on the back side of the assembly units is thus possible. In addition, the back sides of the roll-out assembly units 2, 4, 12 are protected against unauthorized access when the door is locked.

[0084] The roll-out assembly units 2, 4, 12 are connected to each other at their back sides by bars. The bars can be non-destructively detached from the assembly units by means of tools.

[0085] The roll-out assembly units 2, 4, 12 have closed front sides, which can have locks 17. The locks 17 can be locked by means of keys, for example. The locks 17 can be used for locking. An assembly unit 2, 4, 12 can then only be pulled out to the front once the associated lock 17 has been unlocked. This protects the filling station in a further improved manner against unauthorized incorrect operation.

[0086] Each assembly unit may comprise one or more lockable flaps 18 on its front side, for example to enable printing paper to be exchanged. Also such flaps 18 basically comprise locks 19 with which a respective flap 18 can be locked. Corresponding keys are then required to be able to open a flap 18. This also serves to protect against unauthorized access.

[0087] The filling device 2, which is provided for filling an inserted gas bottle 3, has an interior space 20 for inserting a gas bottle 3. A gas bottle 3 with a maximum permissible filling quantity of 35 kg is shown. The interior space 20 can be completely closed by a door not shown, for example a sliding door or a shutter, and preferably in a gas-tight manner. The sliding door or the shutter are preferably opened and closed automatically and controlled by a control device. In the interior space 20 there is a retainer 21 on which the gas bottle 3 can be placed. There is a centering device 22 with gripper arms with which the gas bottle 3 can be centered. A movable filling head 23 is located in the interior space 2, via which the gas bottle 3 can be filled with gas. Next to the filling head 23 is a movable suction head 24, via which an inserted gas bottle 3 can be emptied. The interior 20 further contains a movable leak test head 25 of a gas testing device, which can be used to check whether the gas bottle 3 is gas-tight.

[0088] In the case of FIG. 1, the filling head 23 is connected to the gas bottle 3 for filling. The gas bottle 3 has a filling with a centered filling point 26, so that the gas bottle 3 can be filled and emptied from above.

[0089] The possibility of movement serves to connect the filling head 23, the suction head 24 and the leak test head 25, the fitting of the gas bottle 3 as required. The movement of the filling head 23, the suction head 24 and the leakage test head 25 is carried out in an automated manner by a motor drive not shown together with a control device not shown.

[0090] The retainer 21 is placed on a scale 27 in order to be able to determine the total weight of an inserted gas bottle 3.

[0091] A gas detection sensor is located in the leak test head 25. When the leak test head 25 is placed on the gas bottle 3 from above as intended, the leak test head 25 provides an interior space in which the fitting of the gas bottle with the centered filling point 26 is located. In this way, it can be determined particularly quickly and reliably by the gas detection sensor whether the fitting or the connection between the fitting and the gas bottle 3 is leaking.

[0092] The filling device 4 provided for refueling a motor vehicle, comprises on the front side a nozzle 29 which can be stored in a storing 28. The nozzle 29 can be removed from the storing 28 in order to refuel a motor vehicle. The nozzle is connected to a hose 30 through which gas is passed during refueling. In addition, a suspension 31 for the hose can be provided on the front side.

[0093] An external tank for gas may be provided. Both filling devices 2 and 4 are then connected to the tank in a gas-conducting manner, so that both a gas bottle 3 and a motor vehicle can be filled or refueled with gas stored in the tank. The external tank may be located underground. The filling station 1 then includes coupling devices, for example on the back side or on the side, in order to be able to connect the tank to the filling station 1 accordingly.

[0094] The filling station 1 comprises such a small footprint that it can easily be transported by a truck. The footprint corresponds to the size of a passenger car, for example, so that a standard parking space for a passenger car is sufficient to install the filling station 1.

[0095] The sequence of assembly units 2, 4 and 12 can also be different. For example, assembly unit 12 can also be located between assembly units 2 and 4. Assembly unit 4 can be provided between assembly units 2 and 12.

[0096] FIG. 2 shows the cage for filling station 1 formed by steel beams 6, 7, 10, 32 to 35. Steel beams 6, 7 together with the front steel beam 32 form a frame. Beams 33 and 34 can also be seen suggestively in FIG. 1.

[0097] FIG. 3 shows the rear wall 36 of the filling station with a door 37 that can be locked with a lock 39. Behind the door 37 is the walkable space.

[0098] FIG. 4 shows as an example two assembly units 2 and 4 that are connected to each other by a bar 39 on the back side. The bar 39 can be screwed to the back side of the assembly units 2 and 4 by means of screws 40. The bar 39 can therefore be loosened again by means of a screwdriver, i.e. by means of a tool. Alternatively or additionally, the bar 39 can be suspended, for example, in hooks which are present on the back side of the assembly units 2 and 4. Each bar 39 can also be positively connected to the back side of the assembly units 2 and 4 in another way. With the aid of such bars 39, assembly units 2, 4 or 12 can also be detachably fastened to walls of the interior space, for example by means of screws or by means of positive connections.

[0099] Rollers 41 are provided on the undersides of the assembly units 2, 4 in order to be able to roll the assembly units 2, 4 into or out of the aforementioned walkable space of the filling station 1.

[0100] The filling station 1 is equipped with an emergency power supply, a mobile phone connection and/or an alarm system, as is present with cars.

[0101] FIG. 5 shows a front side with a further configuration of a filling station. The filling station differs from the filling station shown in FIG. 1 primarily in the provision of an inner frame 42. The inner frame is immovably mounted and is provided as a permanent component of the filling station. The inner frame 42 is such that the assembly units 2, 4, 12 can be fastened to the inner frame 42 by means of bars.

[0102] Two sliding doors 43 are present which can be opened and closed by motor. The two sliding doors 43 allow the interior space 20, which is provided for inserting a gas bottle 3, to be opened and closed in an automated manner.

[0103] The configuration shown in FIG. 5 comprises a removable module 45 that comprises a computer and one or two displays. Preferably, module 45 can be pulled out in the forward direction like modules 2, 4, 12, to remove module 45. It is preferably fastened in the same manner as modules 2, 4, 12. Thus, it can be detached from the walkable space to subsequently remove the module 45. Since a module with a computer can be comparatively small and light, it is preferably arranged above another module, for example as shown in FIG. 5 above the module 4, i.e. above the filling device 4. By means of the computer of the module 45 the filling device is controlled. The module 45 preferably comprises one or two displays 14. Via such a display 14, which may be a touch-sensitive display, a filling of a gas bottle and/or a refueling of a motor vehicle are controlled in one embodiment by a user of the filling station. Another display 14 can he used for advertising, for example.

[0104] FIG. 6 shows a view into the walkable space 44. Thus, the representation of the door 37 and the back wall 36 is missing. To the right of this is an enlarged view Z, which shows that the assembly units are fastened to the inner frame 42 on their back sides by means of bars 39. The lower horizontally extending beam 35 also has two through openings 8 for a fork of a forklift. Therefore, the filling station can also be lifted and transported from the back side by means of a forklift.

[0105] In one embodiment, a measurement module that is not shown is arranged in the walkable space. The measuring module is used to measure the amount of gas dispensed by refueling a motor vehicle or by filling a gas bottle. This is preferably done by measuring the dispensed gas volume, for example by means of a Coriolis mass flow meter. If a gas bottle is filled, the measured gas volume is preferably converted into a weight unit such as kg in order to be able to specify the quantity of gas obtained in a weight unit, for example in kg.