APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING FUEL OIL DELIVERY

Abstract

The delivery of fuel oil through a fuel oil delivery pipe is monitored to measure the flow rate, temperature, viscosity, density and dielectric constant of the fuel oil as it moves through the delivery pipe. The digital data signals from the sensors which are a function of the measured parameters are recorded in a memory. An IR sensor detects the presence of air in the pipe and prevents the data signals from being recorded. The actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered through the pipe is calculated based upon the recorded data signals, which may be adjusted to take into account the temperature of the fuel oil being delivered. A clock circuit generates a timing signal reflecting the date and time the measurements were taken. Information as to the quantity delivered and the time of delivery may be sent to a remote location.

Claims

1. Apparatus for monitoring the delivery of fluid including fuel oil and air through a fuel oil delivery pipe comprising a flow meter associated with the fuel oil delivery pipe including a rotatable part for measuring the flow rate of fluid as it moves through the pipe, said flow meter generating data signals with are a function of the measured flow rate of the fluid as it moves through the delivery pipe, a sensor for detecting air as it moves through the delivery pipe, said sensor generating an output signal when air is detected, means for recording the data signals from said flow meter when said output signal from said sensor is not present and means for calculating the actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered through the pipe based upon the recorded data signals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensor comprises an infrared sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for measuring the properties of the fuel oil comprises means for measuring the temperature of the fuel oil as it is delivered and for adjusting the recorded data signal in accordance with the difference between the measured temperature and the known volume of fuel oil at a given temperature.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said recorded data signal is multiplied by an oil volume expansion factor to adjust for the difference in volume between the volume of fuel oil at the measured temperature of the fuel oil passing through the pipe and the volume of fuel oil at a given temperature.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for measuring the viscosity of the fuel oil.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises means for measuring the density of the fuel oil.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for measuring the dielectric constant of the fuel oil.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a low voltage electric generator driven by movement of fuel oil through the fuel oil delivery pipe to supply power to the apparatus components.

9. A method for monitoring the delivery of fluid including fuel oil and air through a fuel oil delivery pipe, the method comprising the steps of: (a) measuring the flow rate of the fluid as it moves through the delivery pipe using a flow meter with a rotatable part; (b) generating data signals with are a function of the measured flow rate based upon the rotation of the rotational part of the flow meter; (c) determining when air is present in the delivery pipe and generating an output signal when air is detected; (d) recording the data signals from the flow meter when the output signal is not present; and (e) calculating the actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered through the pipe based upon the recorded data signals.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of determining when air is present is performed by an infrared sensor.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of measuring the temperature the fuel oil as it is delivered and for adjusting the recorded data signal in accordance with the difference between the measured temperature and the known volume of fuel oil at a given temperature.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of adjusting the recorded data signal is performed by multiplying the measured temperature by an oil expansion factor to adjust for the difference in volume between the volume of fuel oil at the measured temperature of the fuel oil passing through the pipe and the volume of fuel oil at a given temperature.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of measuring the viscosity of the fuel oil.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of measuring the density of the fuel oil.

15. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of measuring the dielectric constant of the fuel oil.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of generating a low voltage electric signal to power the components driven by movement of fuel oil through the fuel oil delivery pipe.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

[0052] To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring fuel oil delivery as described in detail in the following specification and recited in the annexed claims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts and in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the circuit of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the method of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0057] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the method of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0058] As seen in FIG. 1, which shows the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flow meter component 10 and the property sensor 11 are inserted into the delivery pipe 12 which extends between the fuel oil delivery truck 14 and the building 16 to which the fuel oil is to be delivered. Truck 14 has an associated pump which causes the fuel oil in the truck tank to flow through pipe 12 to a fuel storage tank within or proximate to building 16. Pipe 12 is customarily at least 2 inches in diameter such that the fuel oil can be transferred from the truck to the building in a relatively short time.

[0059] Flow meter component 10 may include a fuel or oil flow meter designed for use with a 2 inch pipe, such as Part No. 113900-9502, commercially available from Great Plains Industries of Santa Ana, Calif. The flow meter includes an internal wheel situated in the flow path which revolves. The number of revolutions per time interval provides a measurement of the flow rate of the fuel oil passing through pipe 12. The flow meter generates a digital data flow signal which is a function of the measured flow rate of the fuel oil as it passes through the meter.

[0060] A low voltage electric generator 13 is mechanically connected to flow meter 10 such that the rotation of the internal wheel of the flow meter drives the generator to provide a low voltage to power the components of the apparatus. Avoiding the use of a high voltage external source to power the apparatus components eliminates the danger of explosion resulting from a spark igniting fuel oil fumes.

[0061] Property sensor 11 includes a temperature sensor and a density measurement gauge. Property sensor 11 also includes a means for measuring the viscosity of the fuel oil and a detector for measuring the electrical properties of the fuel oil to determine the dielectric constant of the oil.

[0062] The property sensor 11 includes electronics which convert the sensed temperature and density measurement into a digital temperature data quantity signal and a digital density data quantity signal. The viscosity measurement and dielectric measurement are converted into digital viscosity and dielectric data purity signals.

[0063] The property sensor may take the form of Fluid Property Sensor FPS2800B12C4 available from Measurement Specialties, Inc. of 105 ay. du General Eisenhower BP 23705 31037 TOULOUSE CEDEX 1, France or the equivalent. That device is capable of directly and simultaneously measuring the viscosity, density, dielectric constant and temperature of the fuel oil as it flows through the sensor. The sensor monitors the direct and dynamic relationship between multiple physical properties to determine the quality, condition and contaminant loading of fluids such as fuel oil. It is a fully integrated, stand-alone module which combines sensor and processing electronics, including an on-board microprocessor for real-time data analysis.

[0064] The data flow signals from component 10 and the data quantity signals from property sensor 11 are transferred to the electronic circuit 20 of the apparatus through a wire or cable 18. Circuit 20 includes a calculator circuit 22, an electronic memory 24 and a clock or timer circuit 26. Circuit 20 calculates the actual total quantity of fuel oil which is delivered to the building taking into account the flow rate fluctuations, and the temperature and density measurements reflected in the data signals. The actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered may be displayed in numbers of gallons or liters.

[0065] The viscosity and dielectric data purity signals from property sensor 11 are compared to pre-determined values of viscosity and dielectric constant. If either or both of those data impurity signals deviate from pre-determined values by a given amount, a data impurity signal is generated on a wire or cable to display 26.

[0066] A data impurity signal would indicate that the fuel oil being delivered is not of sufficient quality. For example such an event could occur if the fuel oil has been mixed with used oil. That signal could also actuate alarm 32 to provide an alert that the fuel being delivered is of sub-standard quality.

[0067] Circuit 20 also generates a time signal which represents the date and time that the fuel oil was delivered to the building. The time signal is based upon the output of an internal clock or timer circuit.

[0068] The data signals reflecting flow rate, temperature and density, the calculated actual total quantity delivered and the time signal are stored in memory 24. Some or all of those signals can also be displayed on an LCD display 26 so that they can be observed at the site of apparatus and/or sent to a transmitter 28 for forwarding to a remote location for display and/or recording.

[0069] The data impurity signal on wire or cable 19 is transferred directly an alarm 32, display 26 and transmitter 28 to alert the recipient of the fuel oil immediately that there may be an issue with the purity of the fuel oil being delivered.

[0070] The apparatus can be programmed to display and/or transmit various parameters including current flow rate in gallons (or liters), the temperature of the fuel oil, the type of fuel oil (gasoline or diesel) and the calculated actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered in gallons (or liters).

[0071] Transmitter 28 could take the form a WiFi transmitter for wireless communication. It could also take the form of an internet-connected computer with a modem for communication over the internet.

[0072] An alarm circuit 32 connected to property sensor 11 and circuit 20 is actuated to generate an audible alarm signal when the quality of the fuel oil being delivered is unacceptable or the temperature sensed by the temperature sensor exceeds a pre-set level. The level at which the alarm will be actuated can be adjusted. The alarm will provide a real time notification if the quality of the fuel oil being delivered is below a pre-set standard or the temperature of the fuel oil being delivered is too high. In indication that the alarm has been actuated will be stored in memory 24.

[0073] FIG. 2 illustrates some of the basic sub-circuits which form circuit 20 and are connected to receive the output of the flow meter 10 and property sensor 11. Those sub-circuits include a LCD display 26 and a CPU 30 which controls the overall function of the apparatus and forms the calculated actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered based on the data signals.

[0074] CPU 30 may be a 64-pin, flash based, 8 bit CMOS microcontroller with a LCD driver such as is commercially available from Microchip Technology Inc. of Chandler, Ariz. as Part no. PIC16f1946/PIC16f1947.

[0075] The calculated actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered is formed in the CPU by multiplying the coefficient of cubical or thermal expansion of the particular fuel being delivered per temperature degree times a factor based up the number of revolutions of the internal wheel of the flow meter per time resulting from the fluid flow. For example, the expansion factor for diesel fuel is 0.0008/c degree and the flow rate factor is 0.0747 L for a pipe of 2 inch diameter.

[0076] Memory 24 is programmed to store the expansion factors for a variety of common liquid fuels. The type of fuel being delivered is also entered into the apparatus. Circuit 20 uses that information and the measured temperature of the fuel at the time it is delivered to form the calculated actual total quantity of the fuel delivered.

[0077] An output of CPU 30 is connected to a driver circuitry for a alarm 32 which creates an audible signal if the quality is unacceptable or the sensed temperature exceeds a given level. The level at which the alarm is actuated can be adjusted. An indication that the alarm has been actuated is stored in memory 24. A test circuit 34 and three programming switches 36, 38 and 40 are also connected to CPU 30.

[0078] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the steps of the method of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. After the flow meter and property sensor are inserted into the delivery pipe and circuit is initialized, the flow rate, temperature, viscosity, density and dielectric constant of the fuel oil passing through the pipe are measured and the data signals are created. The CPU receives the data quantity signals and calculates the actual total quantity of fuel oil delivered in gallons or liters. The time signal is created in accordance with the output of the clock to reflect the date and time at which the parameters were measured.

[0079] The calculated actual total quantity delivered and time signal are displayed by the LCD display and stored in the memory. A transmission signal may be created based on the calculated actual total quantity delivered and the time signal. The transmission signal may then be sent to a remote location, if desired. The transmission may be accomplish using a wireless connection, such a WiFi, or through the internet using an internet-connected computer and a modem.

[0080] In the event that the quality of the fuel oil is unacceptable or the temperature which exceeds a pre-set level is sensed, an alarm is actuated to generate an audible signal indicating an unacceptable quality or a high temperature condition. The actuation of the alarm is stored in memory for future reference.

[0081] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the same components as the first preferred embodiment except for Infrared (IR) Sensor 13 which is associated with delivery pipe 12 and detects where the fluid passing through the delivery pipe 12 to building 16 at any particular time during delivery is air. If Sensor 13 detects air in the pipe, it generates an output signal through cable 18 to circuit 20 and in particular calculator 22.

[0082] Data signals from flow meter 10 are provided to calculator 22 through wire or cable 18. Those data signals are generated by the flow meter which includes a rotatable wheel which is rotated by the fluid in the delivery pipe flows past the meter. The data signals reflect the flow rate of the fluid as it passes the meter. Magnets are associated with or mounted on the meter wheel. As the wheel is rotated, a Hall effect sensor picks up the magnetic field created by the moving magnets and generates the data signals as a function of the wheel rotation.

[0083] The data signals received by calculator 22 are normally recorded in memory 24. However, if the IR Sensor 13 is generating an ouput signal, indicating that it is air, not fuel oil, that is being delivered through the pipe, the data signals are blocked from being recorded in the memory and will not be used as part of the calculation of the total fuel oil delivered. This system insures that the total fuel oil delivered with not include a false reading attributable to the air in the delivery pipe. Preferably, display 26 will display the number of gallons of fuel oil delivered and the amount of air detected by the IR Sensor in the delivery pipe.

[0084] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention in which the amount of air in the delivery pipe is measured and displayed so that the quantity of air in the fluid in the delivery pipe can be taken into account in calculating the actual quantity of fuel oil delivered. In this embodiment, an infrared sensor 13 can be situated anywhere along the delivery pipe 12 although in FIG. 4, the sensor is shown as situated between sensors 10, 11 and building 16. However, in certain situations, the IR Sensor could be substituted for sensor 11, and connected to calculator 22 and display 26.

[0085] When the power is turned on, the flow meter settings are initiated, and the data signals indicating the flow rate, temperature and other properties of the fluid flowing through the delivery pipe are generated, as in the previous embodiment. In addition, the IR Sensor 13 senses whether air flowing though the delivery pipe. If air is detected, the IR Sensor generates an output signal which prevents the data signals from being recorded in the memory during the period in which the output signal from the sensor is being generated.

[0086] The volume of fuel oil is calculated as in the previous embodiment based upon the recorded data signals. The flow rate of the fuel oil through the delivery pipe as reflected in the recorded data signals is adjusted to compensate for the temperature of the fuel oil sensed by the temperature sensor because the volume of the fuel oil increases with temperature.

[0087] This adjustment takes place in calculator 22 which adjusts the sensed volume indicated by the recorded data signals to the known volume of fuel oil at a particular temperature, for example 25C. degrees, by multiplying the sensed volume by a factor dependent upon the type of fuel oil being delivered.

[0088] The total quantity of fuel oil, adjusted by the temperature and not including any air in the fluid being monitored, is then displayed on display 26. Although it is optional, the total amount of air sensed by the IR Sensor may also be displayed on the display, separately from the fuel quantity.

[0089] While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it is obvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. It is intended to cover all of those modifications and variations which fall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.