US 5,586,050 A · Remotely controllable LNG field station management system and method

Abstract

A remotely controllable apparatus, system and method for monitoring, inventory, controlling and reporting on the filling, refilling and dispensing of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) at portable temporary or semi-permanent field-located storage and dispensing stations, including a portable storage tank, and an associated portable pump and control skid, which skid includes: an on-site microprocessor control system having: security features; pump, fill and dispense connections; an LNG leak detection system; a communications link (typically an RF cellular phone system) to a host computer; a dispensing and refilling sales authorization and initiation system (typically a card reader of the credit, access or proximity card types); and a remotely located host computer having a full suite of features including: inventory, monitoring, security and access control; operational control; financial and transaction record keeping and report generation; and emergency warning and shut-down. The field control unit control functions are performed by the on-site microprocessor which receives input from a plurality of natural gas leak detection sensors, and provides complete on site security screening, data acquisition, transaction recording and control capability, including warning via lights, horn or recorded or synthesized voice, and shut-off or shut-down. The field control unit monitors and controls prescribed user vehicle and storage tank filling procedures, and provides communications to a remote central monitoring site having a host computer master controller, via cellular phone.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A cryogenic LNG fuel field station control system for automated control of a typically above-ground LNG fuel storage and dispensing station, which LNG storage and dispensing station includes a portable pump and piping skid assembly for conditioning lines, pumps and valves for cryogenic LNG fuel storage and delivery, and through which both supply tanker and customer user vehicles can be connected to a cryogenic LNG fuel storage tank via a valve manifold for selective refilling of said cryogenic LNG storage tank and for refueling of said user vehicles from said cryogenic LNG storage tank;

said cryogenic LNG field station control system comprising:
(a) at least one LNG leak detection sensor sensitive to hydrocarbon fuel vapors mounted in association with said LNG storage and dispensing station;
(b) a means for authorization of customer vehicle fueling and supply tanker refueling use of said LNG storage and dispensing station;
(c) means for communicating with a remote host computer, the remote host computer having means for remote control of said LNG storage and dispensing station;
and
(d) a micro controller mounted in association with said station including means for:
i) recognizing authorized users and activating fueling or refueling use of said station upon said recognition;
ii) monitoring system conditioning;
iii) initiating shutting down of said station in response to detection by said sensor of an LNG fuel leak;
and
iv) commencing emergency actions upon the occurrence of predetermined emergency conditions, said emergency actions including initiating shut-downs, and transferring records selected from transactions and inventory status to said host computer.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remotely controllable LNG field station management system and method

Life of this patent

Remotely controllable LNG field station management system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24