Method and security system for securing a flowable good

• US 6,347,723 B1
• Filed: 03/22/2000
• Issued: 02/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bartec Componenten Und Systeme GmbH
• Original Assignee: Bartec Componenten Und Systeme GmbH
• Inventors: Böhm, Alfred, Barlian, Reinhold A.
• Primary Examiner(s): JACYNA, J CASIMER
• Application Number:
  US09/508,669
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 141/94, 141/231, 141/346, 141/367, 141/198, 222/1, 222/23, 222/544, 222/545, 222/562
• US Class Current: 222/1
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/344 by checking a correct coupling or coded information
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/346 by reading a code
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/348 by interrogating an information transmitter, e.g. a transponder B67D7/145 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to a security system for flowable products in storage and/or transportation tanks, which have openings at least for filling, removing and/or controlling purposes. The security system comprises a control device and write-read devices for data exchange with connection elements connectable to the openings. The connection elements have a code mark or a tag. With each opening is clearly associated a tag. With each opening is also associated a closure element as a connection element, on which is located the tag associated with the opening. The associations of tag and opening are controllable and storable in the control device and in the case of a specific association of all the tags with the particular openings a manipulation-free state can be displayed by the control device.

Claims

1. A method for securing a flowable product in a storage and/or transportation tank, in which a control device and a write-read device are used for data exchange with connection elements connectable to the particular opening and which have a code mark or tag, with the following steps:

storing data with respect to the quantity and quality of the flowable product and/or unloading-relevant data,

associating closure elements and tags with the particular openings of the storage or transportation tank and coding the association,

checking whether the openings of the storage or transportation tank are correctly closed and closed with the closure element associated with the particular opening, use being made of the tag data read or with the write-read device,

generating, storing and/or displaying an “

UNSEALED”

signal, if at least one opening is incorrectly closed or left opened with the associated closure element and

generating, storing and/or displaying a “

SEALED”

signal if in the existence of a predetermined filling state of the storage or transportation tank all the openings have been correctly closed within a predetermined time interval with the in each case associated closure element.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining the actual filling state of the storage and transportation tank with respect to the quantity and quality of the flowable product

comparing the actual filling state with the predetermined filling state, and

generating a “

SEALED”

signal only if the actual filling state coincides with the predetermined filling state.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

repeatedly checking the openings of the storage and transportation tank in a successive and/or simultaneous manner in a specific order or in random manner,

checking the openings before, during and after a transportation, loading and/or unloading process and

using the loading and/or unloading-relevant data as those concerning the filling type, filling quantity, manufacturer, filler, consignee, temperature, tank number, empty state, residual volume, route, and/or driver.

4. A security system for flowable products in storage and/or transportation tanks, which have openings at least for filling, removal and/or control purposes, said system, having at least one control device and a write-read device for data exchange with connection elements connectable to the particular opening, comprising:

a tag associated with each said opening,

a closure element associated with each opening as a connection element and on which is located the tag associated with the opening,

the association of tag and opening can be controlled and stored in the control device and

when there is a specific association of all the tags with the given openings a manipulation-free state can be displayed by the control device.

5. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the control device for generating, storing and/or displaying a “

SEALED”

signal if within a given time interval following a correct filling indicated by the filling data all the data read by the write-read devices coincide with the correct association of tags with the openings and for generating, storing and/or displaying an “

UNSEALED”

signal if data cannot be read by the write-read devices or read data do not coincide with the correct association of the tags with the openings.

6. The security system according to claim 4, wherein on all said openings of the storage or transportation tank, on which at least potentially a manipulation could take place, are provided write-read devices and corresponding closure elements with associated tags and that the write-read devices are constructed as substantially identical write-read pencil or tag readers.

7. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is constructed for receiving data of the tags via tag readers and for receiving data of optionally connected hoses or tubes and/or from measuring sensors for recording, time logging, evaluating and/or display.

8. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is constructed by means of the tag readers for the data exchange of loading and/or unloading-relevant data such as e.g. product quality, quantity, temperature, etc., before, during and after loading and unloading processes with a loading or unloading station or the like.

9. The security system according to claim 4, wherein

loading and/or unloading-relevant data are preset in the control device,

an enable signal for loading and/or unloading can only be generated by the control device if the preset data are compatible with the exchanged data with a loading and/or unloading station,

an authorization device being provided making it possible to read authorization data into the control device, and

the control device can enable or inhibit a modification of data stored in the control device, a discharge or filling release, on the basis of the authorization data.

10. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the control device is constructed for the continuous, repeated and sequential, particularly randomized, and/or parallel reading out of all the tag readers and that reading out takes place by means of a readout cycle generated and emitted by a timer.

11. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the data can be transmitted between the write-read device and a tag by means of electromagnetic waves, magnetic induction, optically, infrared radiation, acoustically or ultrasonically.

12. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the tag is constructed as a transponder, transponder simulator or transponder emulator.

13. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the data are exchangeable in wireless or on-wire manner between the tag readers and control device, by means of a serial or parallel bus data line.

14. The security system according to claim 4, wherein at least one measuring sensor is provided through which filling data, loading or unloading-relevant data of the storage and transportation tank, such as data concerning the fill level, nature of the filling, and/or temperature, can be recorded and transmitted to the control device.

15. The security system according to claim 4, wherein the tag is activatable at least by a tag reader, for providing an identification signal characteristic of the closure.

16. The security system according to claim 4, wherein at least one discharge and/or feed valve controllable by the control device is provided on the storage or transportation tank.

17. The security system according to claim 4, wherein for data exchange the control device is constructed with an external control device of a filling or unloading station and that the data exchange takes place by means of hoses or tubes connected to the openings, by an inductive coupler means, or a wireless or on-wire data transmission section.

18. A method for securing a flowable product in a storage and/or transportation tank, in which a control device and a write-read device are used for data exchange with connection elements connectable to the particular opening and which have a code mark or tag, with the following steps:

determining an actual filling state of the storage and transportation tank with respect to the quantity and the quality of the flowable product;

storing data with respect to the quantity and the quality of the flowable product and/or unloading-relevant data;

associating closure elements and tags with openings of the storage or transportation tank and coding the association;

closing with the closure element associated with the particular opening;

using the tag data read out with the write-read device;

checking whether the openings of the storage or transportation tank are correctly closed;

generating, storing and/or displaying an “

UNSEALED”

signal, if at least one opening is incorrectly closed or left open with the associated closure element; and

generating, storing and/or displaying a “

SEALED”

signal if in the existence of a predetermined filling state of the storage or transportation tank all the openings have been correctly closed within a predetermined time interval with the associated closure element and if the actual filling state coincides with the predetermined filling state.

19. The method according to claim 18, comprising the steps of:

checking the openings of the storage and transportation tank are repeatedly in a successive and/or simultaneous manner, in a specific order, or in random manner;

checking the openings before, during and after a transportation, loading and/or unloading process; and

using loading and/or unloading-relevant data as those concerning the filling type, filling quantity, manufacturer, filler, consignee, temperature, tank number, empty state, residual volume, route, and/or driver.

20. A method for securing a flowable product in a storage and/or transportation tank, in which a control device and a write-read device are used for data exchange with connection elements connectable to the particular opening and which have a code mark or tag, with the following steps:

storing data with respect to the quantity and quality of the flowable product and/or unloading-relevant data;

associating closure elements and tags with openings of the storage or transportation tank and coding the association;

repeatedly checking in a successive and/or simultaneous manner in a specific order or in random manner whether the openings of the storage or transportation tank are correctly closed and closed with the closure element associated with the particular opening, use being made of the tag data read out with the write-read device, wherein the opening are checked before, during and after a transportation, loading and/or unloading process;

generating, storing and/or displaying an “

UNSEALED”

signal, if at least one opening is incorrectly closed or left opened with the associated closure element; and

generating, storing and/or displaying a “

SEALED”

signal if in the existence of a predetermined filling state of the storage or transportation tank all the openings have been correctly closed within a predetermined time interval with the associated closure element.

21. The method according to claim 20, comprising the steps of:

determining the actual filling state of the storage and transportation tank with respect to the quantity and quality of the flowable product;

comparing the actual filling state with the predetermined filling state; and

generating a “

SEALED”

signal only if the actual filling state coincides with the predetermined filling state.

22. A security system for flowable products in storage and/or transportation tanks, which have openings at least for filling, removal and/or control purposes, having at least one control device and a write-read device for data exchange with connection elements connectable to the particular opening comprising:

a tag associated with each opening;

a closure element, with each opening, is associated as a connection element and on which is located the tag associated with the opening;

the association of tag and opening can be controlled and stored in the control device; and

the control device for generating, storing and/or displaying a “

SEALED”

signal if within a given time interval following a correct filling indicated by the filling data all the data read by the write-read devices coincide with the correct association of tags with the openings, and for generating, storing and/or displaying an “

UNSEALED”

signal if data cannot be read by the write-read devices or read data do not coincide with the correct association of the tags with the openings.

23. The security system according to claim 22, wherein

loading and/or unloading-relevant data are preset in the control device;

an enable signal for loading and/or unloading being generated only by the control device if the preset data are compatible with the exchanged data with a loading and/or unloading station;

an authorization device for making it possible to read authorization data into the control device; and

the control device enabling or inhibiting a modification of data stored in the control device, particularly a discharge or filling release, on the basis of the authorization data.

24. The security system according to claim 22, wherein the control device is constructed for the continuous, repeated and sequential, particularly randomized, and/or parallel reading out of all the tag readers and that reading out takes place by means of a readout cycle generated and emitted by a timer.