Patent ID: 6079459
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: F17C,G05D

Abstract:
A controller for use with a tank-filling system having a selected one of a number of configurations, the system including at least one conduit for coupling respectively to at least one source of compressed gas, at least one manifold for coupling respectively to at least one group of tanks to be filled, pressure transducer means coupled to the manifold for providing an electrical signal representing the pressure therein, temperature transducer means coupleable to at least one of the tanks for providing an electrical signal representing the temperature thereof, at least one evacuation means for evacuating the tanks, and at least one pumping/conducting means for pumping and conducting compressed gas to the tanks, the controller comprising: inputs which are adapted to be coupled to the pressure transducer means and the temperature transducer means and outputs which are adapted to be coupled to the evacuating means and to the pumping/conducting means, a computer routine executed by the controller automatically to operate the evacuating means to evacuate the tanks and to operate the pumping/conducting means to fill the tanks, the computer routine including (a) a first portion operative to cause the evacuating means to evacuate the tanks, and (b) a second portion operative to cause the pumping/conducting means to fill selected tanks with selected ones of the compressed gases, and a user interface to permit a user to receive information from and input information to the controller, the computer routine being field adjustable via the interface to enable user entry of the numbers of conduits, manifolds, evacuating means and pumping/conducting means and being automatically operable to control the system in accordance with the numbers entered.