FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling fluid in containers,
particularly to such an apparatus for filling pressurized gas, such as liquefied
petroleum gas, in gas containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Gas containers for storing liquefied gas are used for various purposes e.g. for
supplying gas to various apparatuses such as heaters, cookers and other gas
fueled apparatuses. Such gas containers are refillable at refilling stations. I n order
to ensure that a correct amount of gas is filled into the gas containers the weight
of the gas containers may be measured during the filling process. In that the
refilled gas has a cost, such cost will be charged to the customer of the refilled
gas container, and thus accuracy, consistency and reliability is of paramount
importance.
For example, a more or less empty gas container may be placed on a load
measuring device during the filling process, where a load measuring device is
placed on ground. However, and as an example, handling of the gas containers
may expose the load measuring device to damaging loads. Such loads may cause
damage to the load sensor or inconsistency of the load sensor and/or shorten the
lifetime of the load sensor.
Accordingly, it may be seen as a problem that the load measuring device in a
system for filling liquefied gas to gas containers may be damaged or has a short
lifetime and/or that constructions and/or methods for preventing such damage
can be found expensive in initial cost and/or to maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It would be advantageous to improve filling apparatuses for filling fluid into gas
containers. I n general, it may be seen as an object of the present invention to
provide a method that solves one or more of the above mentioned problems or
disadvantages related to weighing of gas cylinders in connection with filling them,
or other problems, of prior art.
To better address one or more of these concerns, a first aspect of the invention
presents a filling apparatus for filling fluid into a gas container that comprises:
- a holding arrangement connectable to a main support, wherein the holding
arrangement comprises a connector configured to hold the gas container so that
the gas container is able to hang from the holding arrangement,
- a load sensor configured to measure the load of the gas container when the gas
container hangs from the holding arrangement, where the load sensor is in
connection with the holding arrangement and located between the main support
and the connector,
- a control system configured to control supply of the fluid via an associated fluid
supply to the gas container in dependence of the measured load.
Thus an improved apparatus for filling fluid into gas containers is provided. It may
be seen that an improvement lies therein that when the filling apparatus is
provided as disclosed herein, accuracy, consistency and/or reliability is provided
by a relative simple configuration of the filling apparatus.
It may be seen as an insight that when the gas container hangs from the
connector as disclosed herein, loading of the load sensor may be improved since -
due to the hanging configuration - the gas container may be able to move
sideways. In other words, inappropriate loading of the load sensor is decreased or
prevented. Thereby, when the gas container is connected to the connector, any
sideways motion of the gas container may not load the load sensor inappropriately
and to an extent which may, at least during use in a period of years, be
damaging, since the gas container is able to move sideways. Particularly, it may
be seen as an improvement that the filling apparatus disclosed herein may include
a load sensor which is able to move sideways relative to a direction of gravity.
The capability of the filling apparatus to enable sideways motion of the gas
container, i.e. motion which is not parallel or substantially parallel with the
direction of gravity, or free motion in at least one direction in a plane
perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the load direction, may be enabled
by a connection allowing this freedom and/or by a hinge and/or by a flexible
structure providing a free motion in at least one direction. This direction is
according to embodiments of the invention perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular to the load direction. The hinge point may be a hinge point of the
connector, e.g. the connector may be connected to the holding arrangement by a
hinge, pivotal connection and/or a flexible component. A flexible structure could
be a bendable structure such as a wire or chain located between the gas container
and the main support, e.g. which is inserted in the holding arrangement or in any
interface between any of the main support, holding arrangement, load sensor and
connector.
In an embodiment the load measured by the load sensor is caused by a tensile
load caused by the hanging gas container. The hanging gas container will create a
pulling force acting on the load sensor and, thereby, a tensile load.
In an embodiment the load sensor may be in connection with the holding
arrangement so that the load sensor connects first and second parts of the
holding arrangement. The load sensor may advantageously be inserted in the
holding arrangement so that the both the load sensor and gas container hangs
from the main support.
In an embodiment the load sensor may comprise a load receiving part and a load
transmitting part, where the load receiving part and the load transmitting part are
located between the main support and the connector. The load receiving part may
be configured to receive the load caused by the weight of the hanging gas
container and the load transmitting part may be configured to transmit the load to
the main support.
In an embodiment the holding arrangement may comprise a flexible or bendable
component arranged to enable the gas container to displace sideways relative to
the direction of gravity when the gas container hangs from the holding
arrangement. The flexible or bendable component advantageously enables
sideways motion of the gas container so that any sideways motion of the gas
container may not load the load sensor. Since the load sensor may not be loaded
or substantially not loaded due to such sideways motion damage of the load
sensor may be avoided or lifetime of the load sensor may be extended. Further,
using such flexible or bendable component, such as a wire or chain, may in
addition to lowering or preventing any inappropriate impact on the load sensor in
a sideways direction, preferably also decouples the load sensor from inappropriate
mechanical load in a direction antiparallel or substantially antiparallel to gravity.
In an embodiment the flexible or bendable component may be located between
the main support and the load sensor and/or between the load sensor and the
connector. Irrespective of the location of the flexible or bendable component, the
bendable capability may enable sideways motion and/or angling of the container
non-parallel with direction of gravity. Hereby, decoupling of inappropriate
mechanical influence on the parts relative to each other, also in a direction
antiparallel to gravity, can be decreased or prevented in a simple manner.
In an embodiment of the invention, the apparatus comprises one or more
connections between parts of the holding arrangement and/or a connection
between the main support and the holding arrangement, which one or more
connections enables free movement of the parts relatively to each other in at least
one direction. The direction is according to embodiments of the invention
perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to gravity. Such connections may be
provided in addition to or as an alternative to the one or more bendable
components in order, e.g., to increase consistency and precision of the system.
Hereby, decoupling of inappropriate mechanical influence on the parts relative to
each other can be decreased or prevented in a simple manner. The one or more
connections may be connections such as a ball-joint or other connections
providing free movement of the parts relative to each other in at least one
direction. In embodiments of the invention the movement of the parts comprises
that the parts are able to turn relative to each other in at least one direction.
In an embodiment the load sensor may comprise a deformable component
configured to deform in dependence of the load of the gas container. The
deformable component may be located between the load transmitting and load
receiving parts of the load sensor so that the load received by the load
transmitting part cause a measureable deformation in the deformable part. The
deformation may be converted to weight information, e.g. as an analogue signal,
e.g. by use of strain sensors, such as strain gauge sensors.
In an embodiment the deformable component is arranged in the load sensor so as
to transfer the entire load, i.e. the deformable component may connect the load
receiving and load transmitting parts of the load sensor.
In an embodiment the connector may be connectable with a gas container valve
of the gas container, and the connector may be capable of holding the gas
container and guiding the fluid received from the fluid supply into the gas
container via the gas container valve. Advantageously, the connector may be
configured so that a single connection between the connector and the gas
container is sufficient both for transferring the load of the hanging gas container
to the load sensor and for supplying the fluid to the gas container.
In an embodiment the connector may comprise a fluid proof passage, such as a
pipe or tube or any other construction providing a fluid proof passage for moving
the fluid through the construction, for guiding the fluid to the gas container valve.
The fluid proof passage may be integrated in the connector, in such a way, that
the output of the fluid proof passage for supplying fluid to the gas container is
common with and possibly comprised in the mechanical connector for holding the
gas container.
In an embodiment the filling apparatus may further comprise a mechanism
configured to separate the gas container from a support so that when the
mechanism is operated and the gas container is connected to the connector the
gas container will hang from the connector so that the entire weight of the gas
container is carried by the connector.
The mechanism configured to separate the gas container from the support may
either be configured to elevate the gas container via the connector, to lower a
support or to displace the ground support sideways away from the gas container
so that the gas container is held in an elevated level unsupported relative to the
support.
In an embodiment the connector may be configured to connect to the gas
container at a location in one end of the gas container, which end comprises the
gas container valve. Advantageously, the connection may be established at the
top of the gas container to facilitate the hanging configuration of the gas
container.
In an embodiment the filling apparatus comprises the gas container. In the
embodiments, the gas container is a gas bottle, alternatively referred to as a gas
cylinder. Such gas containers are standardized containers for storing gas, such as
propane gas in liquid form, e.g. for industrial use or for use in households for
supplying gas to cookers, heaters and other devices. Such gas containers have a
weight from approximately 2.5 to 50.0 kg when empty and a weight from
approximately 5.0 to 100.0 kg when filled. A height of such gas containers is
typically from approximately 150 mm to 1100 mm. A diameter or width of the gas
containers is typically from approximately 150 mm to 400 mm.
A second aspect of the invention relates to a filling system comprising
- at least one filling apparatus according to the first aspect,
- a supply system or buffer system for providing gas containers to the at least one
filling apparatus.
A third aspect of the invention relates to a method for filling fluid into a gas
container, the method comprising
- connecting the gas container to a connector of a holding arrangement connected
to a main support so that the gas container hangs from the connector,
- measuring the load of the gas container hanging from the connector by use of a
load sensor, where the load sensor is in connection with the holding arrangement
and located between the main support and the connector,
- controlling supply of the fluid to the gas container in dependence of the
measured load by use of a control system.
The method is for and to be used with the gas containers as further specified
herein.
In a further possible embodiment of the filling apparatus, the fluid supply
comprises a first fluid conduct for supplying the fluid to the gas container, wherein
one end of the first fluid conduct is connectable with a fluid inlet for guiding fluid
to the gas container and the other end is fixed to the holding arrangement or the
load sensor so that the change of load of the first fluid conduct on the load sensor
depends only on the amount of fluid in the first fluid conduct.
In a further possible embodiment of the filling apparatus, the fluid supply further
comprises a second fluid conduct, wherein one end of the second fluid conduct is
fluidly connected with the first fluid conduct and the other end of the second fluid
conduct is fixed to a point of the holding arrangement or the load sensor so that
the load of this other end does not load the load sensor, wherein this other end is
fluidly connectable with a fluid source.
In general the various aspects of the invention may be combined and coupled in
any way possible within the scope of the invention. These and other aspects,
features and/or advantages of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated
with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.
In summary the invention relates to a filling apparatus for filling fluid such as
liquefied gas into a gas container. The filling apparatus is configured with a
holding arrangement wherefrom the gas container can hang so that the gas
container is not supported by the ground, but the weight of the gas container is
supported by the holding arrangement. A load sensor is arranged in the filling
apparatus, e.g. in the holding arrangement so that the weight of the hanging gas
container can be measured. During the filling process the weight of the gas
container and, thereby, the weight of the gas filled into the gas container can be
measured, so that supply of the fluid can be controlled. The hanging configuration
of the gas container may be advantageous for avoiding inconvenient load of the
load sensor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the drawings, in which
Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a general configuration of a filling apparatus 100,
Fig. 2 is an embodiment of a filling apparatus 200,
Fig. 3 shows a side view, a cross sectional view and perspective view of a
connector 203,
Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a filling apparatus 400,
Fig. 5 shows a support 580 capable of enabling separation between the gas
container and the support 580,
Fig. 6 shows details of a load sensor 102,
Fig. 7 shows details of a different load sensor 702, and
Fig. 8 shows a filling system 801.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a filling apparatus 100 for filling fluid into a gas
container 190. The gas container may be a gas bottle, alternatively referred to as
a gas cylinder and for storing gas such as propane gas in liquid form e.g. for
industrial use or for use in households for supplying gas to cookers, heaters and
other devices. When filling gas into the gas containers, the gas is normally
pressurized into liquid form and filled into the gas container via a gas container
valve 191 of the gas container.
The filling apparatus 100 comprises a holding arrangement 101 configured to hold
the gas container so that the gas container hangs from the holding arrangement.
The holding arrangement is connectable to a main support 160. The holding
arrangement comprises a connector 103 configured to hold the gas container. The
main support 160 may be any stationary or moveable structure capable of holding
both the filling apparatus 100 and a gas container 190, preferably at a
predetermined height.
It can be seen that a connection point 145 of the main support 160, where the
holding arrangement is connected, is located above the holding arrangement 101
and the holding arrangement 101 is located above the gas container 190. Further,
it follows that the gas container is centered or substantially centered in line with a
center of the holding arrangement 101. A connection 122 between the main
support 160 and the holding arrangement may be a ball joint or any other more
or less complex or expensive connection providing a free movement of the holding
arrangement relative to the main support.
The filling apparatus 100 further comprises a load sensor 102 configured to
measure the load of the gas container when the gas container hangs from t h
holding arrangement. The load sensor is in connection with the holding
arrangement and located between the main support 160 and the connector 103.
The filling apparatus also comprises a control system 150 configured to control
supply of the fluid via an associated fluid supply 170 to the gas container in
dependence of and in response to the measured load of the gas container.
Since the load of the gas container - and thereby the weight of the gas container
- may be measured continuously during the filling process, the supply of gas to
the gas container can be controlled to achieve a desired amount of liquefied gas
filled into the gas container.
The gas cylinder may initially be supported by some support 180. The support 180
may be configured so that the gas cylinder is able to stand on a surface of the
support. Examples of a support 180 include the ground, a floor, a conveyer belt, a
trolley or other supporting devices. The support device may alternatively or
additionally be capable of transporting gas containers to and/or away from the
filling apparatus 100. Supports 180 are not limited to supports that the gas
container can stand on, but may also include supports which are configured to
hold around a gas container or otherwise hold the gas container.
At some time of the filling process of the gas container 190, the gas container is
connected to the connector 103 so that the gas container hangs from the
connector 103, i.e. so that the entire weight or substantially the entire weight of
the gas container is carried by the connector 103 and so that the weight of the
gas container does not load the support 180.
It may be seen that, e.g., methods for measuring the weight of a gas container
during a filling process and where the gas container is moved onto a weighing
device so that the gas container stands on the weighing device, and is thus
supported from the end of the gas container opposite to the gas container valve,
contrary to what is disclosed in embodiments herein, the load sensor of the
weighing device may be loaded in an inconvenient way. This may damage or
reduce lifetime and/or effect consistency of the load sensor. I n comparison, with
the disclosed apparatus and method, it has been found possible to weigh and/or
to connect the gas container to the filling apparatus 100 in another way which
may be found of benefit. Hereby, it may be found that the load sensor, by simple
means, is loaded by the weight of the gas container in a more gentle way.
As an example, the process of connecting the gas container to the connector 103
may induce loading of the load sensor 102 in a sideways direction, i.e. in a
direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the direction of gravity G.
The sideways loading of the load sensor 102 may shorten the lifetime of the load
sensor or provide inconsistent and/or inaccurate measurements and possibly
require recalibration and, therefore, should be avoided or reduced. An insight
herein may be seen to be that the present apparatus and method is simple and
yet effective for such purpose.
Therefore, in a possible embodiment, in order to avoid or reduce loading of the
load sensor 102 by such sideways loads, the holding arrangement is configured
with a bendable component which is arranged to enable the gas container to
displace sideways relative to direction of gravity G when the gas container hangs
from the holding arrangement or when the gas container is being connected to
the connector 103. The bendable component may be a hinge, a wire, chain or
other flexible structure providing at least one degree of freedom in a horizontal
plane. The bendable component may be configured to enable the gas container to
displace in one or more, e.g. two, sideways directions, e.g. by use of a wire or
certain chain types. The bendable component may be located between the main
support 160 and the load sensor 102 and between the load sensor 102 and the
connector 103 or only between the support 160 and the load sensor 102 or
between the load sensor 102 and the connector 103. A bendable component such
as a wire or chain also provides freedom of movement of e.g. the gas container
relative to the load sensor in a direction antiparallel to gravity.
I an embodiment, the holding arrangement 101 comprise a first part 101a
which connects the main support 160 with the load sensor 102 and a second part
101b, which connects the load sensor 102 with the connector 103 so that the load
sensor connects the first and second parts 101a, 101b of the holding
arrangement.
Any or both of the first and second parts 101a, b may comprise a bendable
component or may be configured as a bendable component, e.g. a chain of a kind
which is freely bendable in one or two directions. I n addition to the bendable
component any of the first and second part 101a, b may comprise a rigid part, i.e.
a non-bendable part, or the first or second part lOlab may be configured as rigid
part acting as an extension part of the holding arrangement.
Thus or alternatively, the load sensor 102 may be directly connected or fixed to
the main frame 160, i.e. without a bendable part or rigid extension part between
the main frame and the load sensor 102. Similarly, the load sensor 102 may be
directly connected or fixed to the connector 103, i.e. without a bendable part or
rigid extension part between the load sensor 102 and the connector 103.
Figure 1 also illustrates three connections (124, 126, 128) between parts of the
holding arrangement, which connections enables free movement of the parts
relatively to each other in at least one direction perpendicular or substantially
perpendicular to a direction of gravity G.
The load sensor may have a load receiving part 102a and a load transmitting part
102b, where the load receiving part and a load transmitting part are located
between the main support 160 and the connector 103. The load receiving part
102a is in connection with the connector 103, directly or via the first part 101a of
the holding arrangement 101, in order to receive the load of the hanging gas
container. The load transmitting part 102b is in connection with the main support
160, directly or via the second part 101b of the holding arrangement 101, in order
to transmit the load of the hanging gas container to the main support 160.
The load sensor 102 may comprise a deformable component configured to deform
in dependence of the load of the gas container. Since the gas container hangs
from the connector 103 the weight of the gas container will load the load sensor
by a tensile load. Accordingly, the deformable component may be configured to
deform in response to tensile loads.
The load sensor 102 may comprise strain sensors or other deformation sensors
such as optical sensors capable of measuring the deformation of the deformable
component and, thereby, the weight of the gas container. The deformation
sensors generate an optical or electrical output signal corresponding to the
measured load.
The deformable component may be arranged in the load sensor 102 so as to
transfer the entire load of the hanging gas container from the load receiving part
102a to the load transmitting part 102b of the load sensor.
The output signal from the deformation sensor comprised in the load sensor 102
may be processed in an electronic processor or other electronics in order to
generate an electronic load signal. Such electronics may be located in the load
sensor 102, in the control system 150 or elsewhere.
The control system comprises an electronic processor or other electronics
configured to control the supply of the fluid to the gas container in dependence of
the electronic load signal or directly in dependence of the optical or electrical
output signal from the deformation sensor. The electronics of the control system
may generate a control signal configured for controlling supply of the liquid to the
gas container. For example, the control signal may control the when to close, i.e.
cut off the fluid supply, of a valve which control supply of the liquid to the fluid
supply 170 and/or control when to close a valve provided as close as possible to
the valve of the gas container, such as a fluid valve comprised in a filling head.
The control system 150 may be a separate system connectable with the load
sensor 102, part of the control system 150 may be integrated with the load
sensor 102 or the entire control system 150 may e.g. be integrated in an
encapsulation of the load sensor 102.
Some of the elements of the remaining figures bearing the same reference signs
as in Fig. 1 are functionally equivalent and have already been described in
connection with Fig. 1 and, therefore, such elements may not be described again.
Fig. 2 shows an example of a filling apparatus 200 corresponding to the filling
apparatus 100. The filling apparatus 200 is configured with first and second
flexible parts 101a, 101b of the holding arrangement 101, where the flexible parts
are configured as chains. The first chain 101a connects the main structure 160
(here a beam) to the load sensor 102 via a winch 201.
The winch 201 is capable of lifting the gas container 190 connected to the
connector 203. Here the winch is a manually operable winch, but the winch could
also be a motor driven winch. When the winch 201 is operated the gas container
190 is lifted from the support 180 so that the gas container 190 will hang from
the connector 103.
The winch 201 is one example of a mechanism operable to separate the gas
container 190 from the support 180 in a way so that the gas container connected
to the connector 203 will hang from the connector so that the entire weight of the
gas container is carried by the connector.
Examples of such separating mechanisms comprises mechanisms configured to
elevate the gas container 190 via the connector 203, and/or to lower a ground
support 180 and/or to displace the ground support 180 sideways away from the
gas container so that the gas container 190 is held at a level, at which level the
gas container is unsupported relative to the ground support 180. An alternative
example of a separating mechanism is described in relation to Fig. 5.
The connector 203 is connectable with the gas container valve 191 and capable of
holding the gas container and therefore has the same function as the connector
103. The connector 203 is additionally configured with a fluid inlet 202 and a fluid
proof passage. One end of the fluid proof passage is fluidly connected with the
fluid inlet 202 and another end of the fluid proof passage way is fluidly
connectable with the gas container valve 191. By means of the fluid inlet 202 and
the fluid proof passage, the connector 203 is capable of guiding the fluid received
from the fluid supply 170,170a into the gas container via the gas container valve
191. The gas container valve 191 (which is not directly visible in Fig. 2, thus the
dashed line at 191) extends upwards from the top of the gas container and is
fluidly and mechanically connectable with the connector 203 so that the connector
203 can hold the gas container 190 via the gas container valve 191.
In figure 2 it is also illustrated that at least all the four connections 122, 124, 126
and 128 provides free movement of the connected parts relative to each other in
at least one direction perpendicular to gravity G. In fact, it may be preferred that
at least the connections 124 and 126 provides free movement of the parts
connected to both the load transmitting part 102b of the load sensor and the load
receiving part 102a of the load sensor in two directions perpendicular to gravity.
The fluid supply 170 in Fig. 2 comprises a first fluid conduct 170a for supplying
the fluid to the gas container, wherein one end of the first fluid conduct 170a is
fluidly connectable or connected with a fluid inlet 202 for guiding fluid to the gas
container and the other end is connected or connectable with the holding
arrangement 101 or the load sensor 102 so that the change of load of the first
fluid conduct on the load sensor depends only on the amount of fluid in the first
fluid conduct. For example, one end of the first fluid conduct 170a is connected
with the fluid inlet 202 of the connector 103 and the other end of the first fluid
conduct 170a is connected with the load receiving part 102a of the load sensor
102. Since the mass of the first fluid conduct 170a is constant, e.g. due to the gas
being in its liquid phase, the loading by the first fluid conduct 170a on the load
sensor 102 is known or substantially known and is substantially constant during
the filling process. Thereby, it may be possible to ensure that the measured
amount of gas supplied to different gas containers 190 is independent from
influence of the first fluid conduct 170a.
The fluid supply 170 in Fig. 2 further comprises a second fluid conduct 170b,
wherein one end of the second fluid conduct 170b is fluidly connected or
connectable with the first fluid conduct 170a. The other end of the second fluid
conduct is connected or connectable to a point of the holding arrangement 101 or
the load sensor 102. The connections of the ends of the second fluid conduct are
fixed connections so that the ends of the second fluid conduct are in a fixed
position. It follows that the fluid conduct 170b, or fluid passage 170b, is provided
with a 180 degrees turn as illustrated so that any change of flexibility of this fluid
conduct 170b between the load transmitting part 102b (static part) and the load
receiving part 102a (dynamic part) of the load sensor, such as due to pressure
changes in the conduct, has a minimized effect on the measurement of the load
sensor. This is, e.g., of importance for setting and maintaining a zero-setting of
the load sensor and thus of the load measurement system of the filling apparatus.
Thereby, the influence of the second fluid conduct 170b on the load measured by
the load sensor 102, such as due to the mass, flexibility or inflexibility of the
second fluid conduct 170b is minimized and/or kept constant or substantially
constant.
For example, one end of the second fluid conduct 170b may be fixedly connected
to the load receiving part 102a of the load sensor 102 and fluidly connected with
the first fluid conduct 170 so that fluid can be transported from the second fluid
conduct 170b to the first fluid conduct 170a. The other end of the second fluid
conduct 170b may be fixedly connected to load transmitting part 102b of the load
sensor 102.
Due to the configuration of the first and second fluid conducts 170a, it may be
possible to ensure that the measured amount of gas supplied to different gas
containers 190 is independent or substantially independent from influence of the
first and second fluid conducts 170a, b. Therefore, it is possible to ensure that the
same amount of gas is supplied to different gas containers 190, if this is wanted,
and thus that the filling apparatus provides a consistent and reliable filling of the
gas containers.
Actually, it may be seen as an advantage that when the filling apparatus is
provided as disclosed herein, e.g. with the hanging configuration of the gas
container and the load sensor, the system can be used for control weighing of
filled containers without the need of an additional control weighing system and
method for such purpose, moreover, the herein disclosed filling system and
method can also be used as such control weighing system. This may only require
that a given container is control weighed after the initial filling process is
completed, but in the same system.
The first fluid conduct 170a may be a rigid pipe or a flexible tube configured to
guide pressurized gasses, whereas the second fluid conduct 170b preferably is a
flexible tube or pipe.
Fig. 3 shows details of the connector 203. The cross sectional view shows the fluid
inlet 202 which is connectable with the first fluid conduct 170a. A fluid proof
passage 301 connects the fluid inlet 202 with an outlet 302 which is fluidly
connectable with the gas container valve 191. The outlet 302 is configured to
establish a connection with the gas container valve 191 which is strong enough to
hold the gas container 190 so that the gas container can hang from the outlet
302. For example the outlet 302 may be configured with a bayonet coupling or
other click-on couplings connectable with the gas container valve 191. The shown
combined connector and filling head includes a connection 310 for pressurized air.
The pressurized air is used to operate an air pressurized coupling mechanism, for
coupling the fluid passage to the gas container valve and for connecting the
holding arrangement to the gas container valve as an example of a click-on or
clamp on coupling.
Fig. 4 shows an example of a filling apparatus 400 corresponding to the filling
apparatuses 100 and 200. The filling apparatus 400 comprises a connector 403
which is connectable with the gas container 190, but which is not fluidly
connectable with the gas container 190. As shown in Fig. 4, the connector 403
may be configured with two hooks connectable with suitable holes in the upper
part of the gas container 190. In Fig. 4, the gas container 190 is configured with a
gas container valve 491 which has an inlet directed in a sideways direction
relative to the symmetry axis of the gas container (the valve 491 is not visible in
Fig. 4). Such gas container valve 491 is connectable with the first fluid conduit
170a via a fluid connector 492 which may be referred to as a connector adapted
for a gas container with a F valve or referred to as a F-connector. Since the inlet
of the fluid connector 492 is located a distance away from the symmetry axis of
the gas container 190, the gas container F valve is not suited for being fluidly
connected with a connector such as the connector 203.
The first and second part 101a, b of the holding arrangement 101 of the filling
apparatus 400 are configured as wires which are bendable in any direction
allowing the gas container to move sideways or back and forth after it has been
connected to the connector 203.
In the filling apparatus 400, the holding arrangement is configured to connect to
the gas container at two points 411, 412 at a location in one end of the gas
container which end comprises the main valve 191 - so that the center of mass of
the gas container hanging from the connector is located below the connector.
Additionally the holding arrangement of the filling apparatus 400 may be
configured so that the first point 411 of the two points is supported at a first point
on the stationary structure, and the second point 412 of the two points is
supported at a second point on the stationary structure, where the first and
second points on the stationary structure are separated. Advantageously, this
configuration may limit rotation of the gas container (about the symmetry axis)
during the filling process.
Fig. 5 shows the filling apparatus 200 of Fig. 2 wherein reference signs for some
of the like elements have been omitted for convenience. The support 180 for the
gas container is configured as a trolley 580 in Fig. 5. After the connector 203 has
been connected with the gas container valve 191, the trolley may move sideways
or downwards in order to separate the gas container from the support 580. Thus,
in Fig. 5 the mechanism configured to separate the gas container from the ground
support is embodied by a trolley which is configure to move away from the gas
cylinder 190 so the gas container can be held in an elevated level unsupported
relative to the support 580. The gas container valve shown in figure 5 may be
referred to as a C valve, in that the valve has an opening in a center of the gas
container.
Fig. 6 shows a detailed view of the load sensor 102 of Fig. 2. The load receiving
part 102a and the load transmitting part 102b of the load sensor 102 are
elastically connected by a deformable component 601 configured to deform in
dependence of the load of the gas container, i.e. in dependence of the load
received by the load receiving part 102a. The load transmitting part 102b is fixed
to the main support 160 via the second part 101b of the holding arrangement 101
and, therefore, the load transmitting part 102b is not able or substantially not
able to displace downwards along the direction of gravity G. The load receiving
part 102a is fixed to the load transmitting part 102b via the deformable
component 601 and will displace downwards along the direction of gravity G in
dependence of the tensile load caused by the hanging gas container and the
elastic properties of the deformable part 601. The tensile load is transmitted by
the first part 101a of the holding arrangement 101 to the load receiving part
102a.
Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of the filling apparatus comprising a load
sensor 702 configured with an encapsulation 703 of the load sensor. The hatched
portions of the drawing in Fig. 7 indicate cross sectional views and the
encapsulation is, at least in some portions thereof, shown as transparent. The
figure illustrates an embodiment of the invention utilizing a load sensor which may
be referred to as a single point load sensor. The pulling force or tensile load
caused by the gas container hanging from the first part 101a of the holding
arrangement 101 causes a downward displacement (along the direction of gravity
G) of the load receiving part 102a. The downward displacement is transferred to
the deformable part 601, 701 via an opening in the encapsulation 703. The
deformable part 701 can be said to be configured in a parallelogram structure due
to the hinge points 711. The hinge points 711 are located at the points of the
deformable part 701 where the thickness of the structure is thin. Due to the
parallelogram structure the left part 701a of the deformable part will move
downwards in a direction parallel or substantially parallel with the gravity
direction. The right part 701b is fixed and therefore, the downwards motion of the
left part 701a will cause deformations in the deformable structure, primarily at the
hinge points 711. The deformations are measureable by sensors configured for
measuring deformations, such as strain sensors. The encapsulation 703 may
comprise at least part of the control system 150, such as an input device for
entering values to be used in connection with filling of the gas container.
Independent of the type of load sensor used, the load sensor may further
comprise an overload protection in the load direction. This may be provided
although some load sensors are less prone to damage in this direction. In the
figure it is illustrated that the overload protection is a mechanical device
incorporated so as to limit the movement of the load receiving part 102a relatively
to the load transmitting part 102b. In the figure such overload protection is
illustrated as an adjustable bolt 710 which prevents movement of the left part
701a of the load sensor relatively to the encapsulation 703 and thus relatively to
the right part 702b.
The encapsulation 703 of the load sensor 702 is connected to the main support
160 (not shown) by the second part 101b of the holding arrangement 101. I n this
embodiment the second part 101b comprises first and second components
711,712 comprising bendable components such as wires or constituted by
bendable components.
The first component 711 connects the first point 721 of the load sensor 702 to a
first point on the main support 160 (not shown), and the second component 712
connects the second point 721 of the load sensor to a second point on the main
support 160 (not shown). The first and second points on the main support 160 are
separated and the first and second points 721, 722 on the load sensor 702 are
separated and, consequently, the first and second components 711, 712 are
separated. Due to the separation between the first and second components 711,
712, the tendency of rotation of the gas container (about the symmetry axis of
the gas container) during the filling process is reduced. It is understood that two
or more separated components 711, 712, such as three individual components,
may be used for supporting the load sensor 702 at the main support 160.
It is understood that the system and method disclosed herein may be seen to be
of particular benefit when provided on or as an easily moveable construction. The
construction can thus, e.g. due to its small size, weight and roughness of the
build, be easily moved away when not in use, such as provided on a pallet or a
similar sized easily moveable member. Alternatively, the construction, method
and principles disclosed herein may be used in a system somewhat larger both in
size and capacity, of which figure 8 may be seen as an example.
Fig. 8 shows an example of a filling system comprising a plurality of filling
apparatuses 100, 200, 400 configured according to an embodiment of the
invention. Each of the 24 filling apparatuses shown is connected to a support
structure 160. The plurality of filling apparatuses and support structures are
connected to a carousel. A transport system 802 transports gas containers to the
carousel. The transport system 802 may be a conveyor system or other systems
capable of transporting the gas containers to and/or away from the filling
apparatuses.
Instead of transport system 802, a buffer system may be used for buffering a
number of gas containers to be filled and/or for supplying gas containers to the
filling apparatus. The gas containers may be picked from the buffer system and
connected to the connector 103 of the filling apparatus manually, by a robot
system or other handling systems. Alternatively, the buffer system may be a
pallet or similar, e.g. with 6-10 containers to be filled.
Independent hereof, the filling system may e.g. comprise two or more filling and
weighing apparatuses as disclosed herein, possibly in a carousel configuration, or
set up in another configuration, so that at least one gas container can be filled
with gas while, e.g. a filled gas container is replaced with a container to be filled
and/or another gas container is control weighed at another position in the
carousel, possibly simultaneously.
The filling apparatus 100, 200, 400 may be used with other filling systems 801
which generally may comprise on or more filling apparatuses and a supply system
802, for supplying gas containers to the filling apparatus.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings
and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered
illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be
understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed
invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.
In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps,
and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact
that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not
indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any
reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

WE CLAIMS:-
1. A filling apparatus (100, 200, 400) for filling fluid into a gas container (190),
comprising:
- a holding arrangement (101) connectable to a main support (160), wherein the
holding arrangement comprises a connector (103) configured to hold the gas
container so that the gas container is able to hang from the holding arrangement,
- a load sensor (102) configured to measure the load of the gas container when
the gas container hangs from the holding arrangement, where the load sensor is
in connection with the holding arrangement and located between the main support
and the connector,
- a control system (150) configured to control supply of the fluid via an associated
fluid supply (170) to the gas container in dependence of the measured load.
2. A filling apparatus according to claim 1, where the load measured by the load
sensor is caused by a tensile load caused by the hanging gas container.
3. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, where the load
(102) sensor is in connection with the holding arrangement so that the load
sensor connects first and second parts (101a, 101b) of the holding arrangement.
4 . A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, where the load
sensor (102) comprises a load receiving part (102a) and a load transmitting part
(102b), where the load receiving part and a load transmitting part are located
between the main support (160) and the connector (103).
5. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
holding arrangement (101) comprises a flexible component arranged to enable
the gas container to displace sideways relative to direction of gravity when the
gas container hangs from the holding arrangement.
6. A filling apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the flexible component is
located between the main support and the load sensor and/or between the load
sensor and the connector.
7. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or
more connections (124, 126, 128) between parts of the holding arrangement
and/or a connection (122) between the main support (160) and the holding
arrangement, which one or more connections enables free movement of the parts
relatively to each other in at least one direction.
8. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the load
sensor comprises a deformable component (601, 701) configured to deform in
dependence of the load of the gas container.
9 . A filling apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the deformable component is
arranged in the load sensor (102) so as to transfer the entire load.
10. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
connector is connectable with a gas container valve (191), and wherein the
connector is capable of holding the gas container and guiding the fluid received
from the fluid supply (170) into the gas container via the gas container valve
(191).
11. A filling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the connector comprises a
fluid proof passage (301) for guiding the fluid to the gas container valve.
12. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, further
comprising a mechanism (201) configured to separate the gas container from a
support (180) so that when the mechanism is operated and the gas container is
connected to the connector the gas container will hang from the connector so that
the entire weight of the gas container is carried by the connector.
13. A filling apparatus according to claim 12, where the mechanism configured to
separate the gas container from the support is either configured to elevate the
gas container via the connector, to lower a support or to displace the ground
support sideways away from the gas container so that the gas container is held in
an elevated level unsupported relative to the support.
14. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the
connector is configured to connect to the gas container at a location in one end of
the gas container which end comprises the gas container valve (191).
15. A filling apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, comprising the
gas container.
16. A filling system (801) comprising
- at least one filling apparatus (100, 200, 400) according to claim 1,
- a supply system or buffer system (802) for providing gas containers to the at
least one filling apparatus.
17. A method for filling fluid into a gas container comprising
- connecting a gas container (190) to a connector (103) of a holding arrangement
(101) connected to a main support (160) so that the gas container hangs from
the connector (103),
- measuring the load of the gas container (190) hanging from the connector (103)
by use of a load sensor (102), where the load sensor (102) is in connection with
the holding arrangement (101) and located between the main support (160) and
the connector (103),
- controlling supply of the fluid to the gas container in dependence of the
measured load by use of a control system (150).