Patent Application
20190102966
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG or liquid petroleum gas) provides clean and convenient energy to people. LPG systems are particularly useful in the developing world where infrastructure for power delivery is still improving. LPG systems typically include a tank in which LPG is stored. The tank may be connected to one or more appliances, such as stoves, and a valve opened to allow gas to flow from the LPG tank to the appliance. Many traditional LPG systems use a tank exchange program. A consumer rents or purchases a full tank from an LPG provider. The consumer then uses the LPG in the tank until the tank is empty and then the consumer can return and/or exchange the empty tank for a new, full tank. LPG is also used in the developed world, for example in rural environments where large LPG tanks may supply gas for many household uses. LPG may be used in a variety of contexts, such as heating and cooking, among others.
What is needed are devices, methods, and systems that aid in reducing fixed costs that may be associated with the use of LPG, and allow for consumers to purchase LPG fuel in smaller amounts. This may help to increase LPG use in developing countries, and provide for more predictable and economical use in developed countries.
According to one embodiment, a method of distributing liquefied petroleum gas is described. The method comprises receiving payment for a predetermined amount of liquefied petroleum gas, transmitting an instruction to a valve to distribute liquefied petroleum gas monitoring, by a metering device, an amount of liquefied petroleum gas distributed determining, by the metering device, that the amount of distributed liquefied petroleum gas has reached a threshold amount, wherein the threshold amount is based, at least in part, on the predetermined amount, and responsive to determining that the amount of distributed liquefied petroleum gas has reached the threshold amount, transmitting an instruction to the valve to cease distribution of the liquefied petroleum gas.
According to another embodiment, a system is described. The system comprises a tank configured to store a volume of liquefied petroleum gas, a metering device, wherein the metering device measures an amount of liquefied petroleum gas used by a consumer, and a valve, wherein the valve is configured to control flow of the liquefied petroleum gas from the tank and to close responsive to the metering device measuring that a predetermined amount of liquefied petroleum gas has been provided from the tank. The system may further comprise a location monitoring sub-system, wherein the location of the tank and metering device may be monitored and recorded.
According to yet another embodiment, method is described. The method comprises receiving a payment for a predetermined amount of liquefied petroleum gas, opening a valve to open to provide the predetermined amount of liquefied petroleum gas, determining that an amount of distributed liquefied petroleum gas has reached the predetermined amount, and closing the valve.
Embodiments disclosed herein recognize several drawbacks from traditional LPG distribution system. First, there are limited distribution points for LPG tanks. Many consumers must travel many miles to find a distribution point at which they can exchange an empty tank for a full one. Second, there is a high upfront cost. Purchasing larger tanks reduces the cost per kilogram of LPG, but larger tanks are more expensive upfront. Therefore, while many consumers can afford to use LPG on a daily basis, the high upfront costs of the tank may prevent the consumers from entering the market to begin with. Third, many traditional LPG tanks do not provide accurate indications of when the LPG in the tank may run out. As a result, some consumers are reluctant to use LPG for fear that the gas will run out in the middle of cooking a meal or before the consumer can afford to refill the tank. Fourth, because LPG is typically purchased by the tank, customers do not want to return a tank that still contains LPG. However, it is often difficult to know exactly how much LPG is left in a tank and to properly align LPG needs with the expiration of the LPG in the tank. Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods and systems for pay-as-you-go LPG use that may address one or more of the above identified limitations of previous systems.
The main LPG tank 102 is the primary reservoir for LPG in the system 100. The main LPG tank may generally be made of any suitable material for holding LPG, such as stainless steel or carbon steel. The main LPG tank 102 may be a permanently installed LPG tank or an exchangeable tank that can be removed and exchanged for a new tank. In some embodiments, the main LPG tank may be maintained by an LPG distribution company that may distribute, service, and otherwise maintain the LPG tank and system. In other embodiments, the main LPG tank may be maintained by a consumer. For example, the consumer may obtain a full, tamper-proof main LPG tank 102 from a distributor with a security deposit, bring the main LPG tank 102 to their home and connect the main LPG tank 102 to the system 100. In most of these embodiments, the LPG tank has a smart valve and/or other metering devices (discussed below) fixedly attached to the tank. LPG may be used from the main LPG tank 102 on a pay-as-you-go basis. In the pay-as-you-go system, the customer makes a payment for a predetermined amount of LPG, which is then distributed from the main LPG tank 102.
The pressure release valve 104 may generally be any type of pressure release valve. The pressure release valve 104 may be operable to relieve pressure in the system 100.
The metering device 106 measures the rate at which LPG is used from the main LPG tank 102 and closes a valve once the purchased amount of LPG has been used. The metering device may generally be any type of metering device capable of monitoring the mass of LPG remaining in the main LPG tank 102 and/or monitoring the amount of LPG being used. The metering device 106 may be located in-line between the main LPG tank 102 and the appliance 110. In one embodiment, the metering device 106 estimates the gas volume in the main LPG tank 102 by taking a known volume of gas out of the main LPG tank 102 quickly and measuring the instantaneous drop in pressure. According to another embodiment, the metering device 106 may measure the mass of LPG in the main LPG tank 102 using capacitive liquid level measurement sensors. In yet another embodiment, the metering device 106 may measure the liquid level in the main LPG tank 102 using petroleum tank floats. In yet another embodiment, the metering device 106 may measure the volume of gas in the main LPG tank 102 using a Helmholtz resonator.
In yet another embodiment, the metering device 106 may use discrete volume metering to premeasure an amount of LPG from the main LPG tank 102. An embodiment implementing discrete volume metering is shown in
In yet another embodiment, the metering device 106 may use ultrasonic metering to monitor the flow rate of LPG gas from the main LPG tank 102. An ultrasonic flow meter may determine the volumetric flow rate of LPG to the appliance 110. An ultrasonic flow meter determines the flow rate of the LPG by measuring the time of flight of a phonon through the gas both with the flow of the LPG and against the flow of the LPG. Based on the difference between the two times of flight, the distance between the transmitter and the receiver, and cross-sectional area of the meter, the volumetric flow rate of the LPG may be calculated. Ultrasonic metering may be used in conjunction with, or instead of other types of metering.
The payment system 112 may facilitate, receive, and/or confirm payment by a consumer for a specified amount of LPG. The payment system may be coupled to the metering device 106. In various embodiments, the payment system 112 may take a variety of forms. In one embodiment, the payment system 112 may be a computing system having one or more processors. The payment system 112 may be coupled to a communication network (not shown). The communication network may generally be any type of communication network. For example, the communication network may be a local area network or a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The payment system 112 may be configured to communicate with one or more mobile devices over the network or other communication means (e.g., a short range communication means, such as Bluetooth®). For example, a consumer may provide payment information through a mobile phone connected to a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network. The mobile phone may communicate with the payment system 112 over the same or a different network and confirm that the consumer has paid. The payment system 112 may then communicate with the metering system 106 to provide a paid-for amount of LPG from the main LPG tank to the appliance 110.
In another embodiment, the payment system 112 may include an interface for direct interaction between a consumer and the payment system 112. For example, the payment system 112 may include a keypad for entering a credit card number or an authorization code that indicates the consumer has purchased a specified amount of LPG. In some embodiments, the keypad may be implemented as a backup and/or alternative system to the communication network discussed above. For example, in the event that the communication system becomes unavailable, the keypad may be used by the consumer to purchase additional LPG. In such an embodiment, a consumer may provide payment information through a mobile phone or other device coupled to a network, or a scratch-card purchased from a vendor. The payment information may be confirmed, for example, by a remote server or other third party. In response, the remote server may provide a validation code to the consumer through a text message, a webpage, a phone call, or other communication means. The consumer may then enter the validation code into the payment system 112 via the keypad. The payment system 112 may verify the validation code against a database of validation codes and in response to verifying the validation code, the payment system 112 may communicate with the metering device 106 to provide a paid-for amount of LPG from the main LPG tank to the appliance 110.
The appliance regulator 108 may measure and/or regulate a pressure of LPG provided to the appliance 110. The appliance regulator 108 may include, for example, a pressure transducer and be calibrated with the appliance 110. In various embodiments, the appliance regulator may communicate with the metering device 106 to ensure that the pressure of LPG provided to the appliance 110 does not drop below a threshold amount. For example, the appliance regulator 108 may determine that the LPG pressure provided by the discrete volume tank 202 has dropped below a threshold amount and, in response, trigger the smart valve 210 to refill the discrete volume tank 202 from the LPG main tank 102. In some embodiments, the appliance regulator 108 may be located before, after, or incorporated into the metering device 106. For example, in embodiments implemented with an ultrasonic metering device 106, the appliance regulator 108 may be located between the main LPG tank 102 and the metering device 106. Such a placement may improve the ability of the appliance regulator 108 to accurately regulate the flow of LPG to the appliance 110, as well as improving the ability of the metering device to measure gas flow.
The appliance 110 may generally be any type of machine or device that can be powered by LPG. For example, the appliance 110 may be a gas powered stovetop for use in cooking, a heater, a barbeque, a water heater, a refrigerator, a clothes dryer, an oven, or a combination thereof.
A location monitor may be any type of machine or device that may provide information on the location of the tank, metering device, smart valve, etc. In some embodiments, the location monitor may be a satellite navigation receiver, for example a GPS receiver. In other embodiments, the location monitor may include a radio-frequency transmitter unit that may send a signal to a receiving unit. In these embodiments, the receiving unit may be connected to a phone, cellular network, internet, or other network for sending information the distribution company. In some embodiments, the location monitor may provide the distribution company information on the location of the tank, metering device, valve, etc. In some embodiments, the location monitor may alert the consumer or the distribution company if the tank, metering device, valve, etc. has been re-located. In many embodiments, the location monitor may also issue an alert if the location monitor is separated from the tank, metering device, valve etc. The location device may aid in preventing the loss, transfer, or mis-use of the disclosed tank, metering device, etc.
The pay as you go option may remove the upfront cost barrier that consumers face. To implement the pay as you go model, the smart valve may accurately measure how much LPG is released from the tank. As it does this it can also monitor how much fuel is remaining in the tank. This information can be clearly displayed to the consumer allowing them to manage how much fuel they are using over time to meet their budget needs and also gives them a clear indication of when their tank is running low so they can plan ahead to have it refilled or exchanged without ever running out. Since consumers only pay for the fuel that they use out of the tank they also need not worry about returning the tank early with some LPG left in the tank as they are not charged for that fuel. An additional potential value to the consumer may include in home refilling or an exchange program. By monitoring fuel usage in a home either remotely via a SIM enabled system or by tracking how many codes a customer has input into the valve a central distribution management system would know when the tank is getting low and notify the consumer to set up a time to exchange or refill the tank. Doing this may improve consumer experience. In addition, this ability to monitor the volume of LPG in a tank, and notify the consumer and/or distribution company may be useful in both developing and developed countries.
In operation 704, the LPG distribution system 100 receives payment from a consumer. For example, the consumer may provide payment through the same medium through which the prompt for payment was provided in operation 702. Payment may be made in any manner, such as credit card, mobile application, wire transfer, electronic transfer of funds, check, cash payment, gift card, etc.
In operation 706, the LPG distribution system 100 verifies the payment. Payment verification may be conducted remotely or by the payment system 112. For example, a remote server may verify that the consumer has tendered payment for a specified amount of LPG by verifying a credit card number. Alternatively, verification may be conducted by the payment system itself. For example, in response to tendering payment, the consumer may be provided with a verification code. The verification code may be provided via text message, phone call, email, scratch card, or any other mode of communication. To verify that payment has been made, the consumer may manually enter the verification code into the payment system 112 via a key pad, such as the key pad 602 of
In operation 708, the LPG distribution system 100 permits LPG usage. The LPG distribution system may permit LPG usage by opening the smart valve 210 in response to the entry of a valid verification code may trigger the metering device 106 to open the smart valve 210 and to allow the purchased amount of LPG to flow into the discrete volume tank 202 and/or to the appliance 110. In some embodiments, the smart valve may remain open until the purchased amount of LPG is used by the consumer.
In embodiments where verification occurs remotely, a remote server may verify that payment has been received and provide an instruction to the metering device 106 of the LPG distribution system 100 to provide a specified amount of LPG for use by the appliance. For example, the remote server may communicate via a computer or cellular network with the LPG distribution system to provide a specific instruction regarding an amount of LPG purchased.
In operation 710, the LPG distribution system 100 monitors LPG usage. LPG usage may be monitored, for example, by the metering device 106, as described above with respect to claim 1. For example, the metering device 106 may monitor an amount of LPG stored in the discrete volume tank 202. Alternatively, the metering device 106 may use ultrasonic metering to measure the flow rate of the LPG to the appliance.
In decision block 712, the LPG distribution system 100 determines whether the LPG usage has reached its limit. In embodiments implemented with a discrete volume tank 202, the LPG distribution system 100 may monitor the amount of LPG in the discrete volume tank 202 and when the level of LPG in the tank reaches a certain threshold or is empty, the LPG distribution system 100 may determine that the LPG usage has reached its limit. Alternatively, in embodiments where the amount of LPG used is actively monitored, such as through ultrasonic flow monitoring, the metering device 106 may compare the measured amount of LPG used with the purchased amount to determine whether the LPG usage has reached its limit. If the LPG distribution system 100 determines that the LPG usage has not reached its limit (decision block 712, NO branch), then the LPG distribution system 100 returns to monitoring LPG usage in operation 710.
If the LPG distribution system 100 determines that the LPG usage has reached its limit (decision block 712, YES branch), then the LPG distribution system 100 determines whether a level of LPG in the main LPG tank 102 has dropped below a threshold amount. The threshold amount may be set by a tank distributor and may be indicative that the main LPG 102 may be nearly empty and should be exchanged or a full tank or refilled. If the LPG distribution system 100 determines that the level of LPG in the main LPG tank 102 has not dropped below a threshold amount (decision block 714, NO branch), then the LPG distribution system 100 may prompt the consumer for payment in operation 702.
If the LPG distribution system 100 determines that the level of LPG in the main LPG tank 102 has dropped below a threshold amount (decision block 714, YES branch), then the LPG distribution system 100 transmits an alert in operation 714. The alert may be a visual and/or auditory alert and may be displayed on the LPG distribution system 100 or transmitted to a distributer over a communication network. Alternatively or in addition, the alert may be provided via text message, email, phone call, or any other type of communication. The alert may communicate that the main LPG tank 102 may be nearly empty and may need to be refilled or exchanged in order to continue using LPG as a power source.
Various embodiments described herein are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting. Various components, parts, operations, and/or method steps may be omitted or presented in a different configuration or order than those particular embodiments described above without deviating from the scope of the invention as set forth in the attached claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2017/023457 | 3/21/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62311178 | Mar 2016 | US |
