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. In 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. In 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 th 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. In 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. In 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. In 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.