Fuel dispenser with sealing wire breakage detector

Abstract

Fuel dispenser (1) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, comprising a hydraulics module (2) to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to at least a dispensing nozzle (3), an electronics module (5) arranged above the hydraulics module (2) comprising dispenser electronics, and a sealing wire (6) arranged around an area (7) of the fuel dispenser (1), such that a protection against tampering of the area (7) is provided. The sealing wire (6) comprises detection means adapted to detect breakage of the sealing wire (6). The invention also relates to a method for accessing a fuel dispenser (1) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle.

Description

[0001] FUEL DISPENSER WITH SEALING WIRE BREAKAGE DETECTOR

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle and a method for accessing a fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Both alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and liquid natural gas (LNG), and more conventional fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, are dispensed to vehicles via fueling stations. A fueling station typically includes a storage tank connected to at least a fuel dispensing unit comprising a fuel hose with a coupling or a nozzle that may be removably connected to a vehicle fueling port. The fuel dispensing unit comprises a pump the storage tank and the fuel hose for transferring the fuel from the storage tank to the vehicle tank.

[0006] In the case of hydrogen or other cryogenic fuels as LNG, the fueling station typically includes a conditioning arrangement so that the fuel (gas in this case) may be warmed and / or pressurized before delivery to the vehicle under high pressure, typically 350 bars or 700 bars. The conditioning arrangement is connected to at least a fuel dispensing unit. The conditioning arrangement supply gas in liquid state to the fuel dispensing unit that delivers gas under gaseous state to the vehicle.

[0007] In modern service station fuel dispensers, a control system processes signals generated by a displacement sensor to monitor the amount of fuel delivered to a customer's vehicle. Various types of displacement sensors have been used to sense the flow rate of various fluids, including magnetic sensors and optical sensors.

[0008] Attempts have been made to interfere with the displacement sensor on a fuel flow meter to modify the calculated volume of fuel dispensed. For example, a dishonest consumer may disconnect the displacement sensor (or one of its components) from the fuel flow meter prior to a fueling transaction.

[0009] Today it is therefore a common measure to protect sensitive areas of the dispensers by placing a mechanical sealing wire around these areas. This way, it can be detected if the dispenser has been tampered with in any way. A problem with such a solution is, however, that nothing will happen if the wire is cut more than the fact that it will be visible for an operator that somebody has cut the wire and potentially tampered with the dispenser when the dispenser is inspected.

[0010] Summary on the invention

[0011] It is an objective of the present invention to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solve at least the above-mentioned problems.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a fuel dispensing unit for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, comprising a hydraulics module to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to at least a nozzle intended to supply the fuel to the vehicle, an electronics module arranged above the hydraulics module comprising dispenser electronics, and a sealing wire arranged around an area of the fuel dispenser, such that a protection against tampering of the area is provided. The fuel dispenser is characterized in that the sealing wire comprises detection means adapted to detect breakage of the sealing wire.

[0013] This is advantageous in that if the sealing wire is tampered with or if a breakage is detected it will immediately be detected by means of the detection means in the sealing wire. Suitable measurements can thereafter be taken into effect.

[0014] The solution can be developed by for example connecting the sealing wire to an existing one time password (OTP) system of the fuel dispenser. This way, an operator, for example, can electronically identify himself and buy time during which it is allowed to cut or remove the wire.

[0015] The detection means may comprise fiber optics.

[0016] The detection means may be constituted by an electrical communication through a cable that will then act as the sealing wire. Communication will be sent through this cable. In case there will be fraud, this will then be detected. Common practise to ensure compliance in hazardous location could be utilized as for example an intrinsic safety barrier or other hazardous environment precaution. In other words, the hazardous safety compliance may be sent via an intrinsic safety barrier. Any communication through the sealing wire may be encrypted. CAN bus communication with AES-256 encryption may, for example, be used. This is an international standard. However, other solutions are naturally also possible.

[0017] The fuel dispenser may further comprise a safety box connected to the detection means of the sealing wire.

[0018] The safety box may be adapted to send a command to the detection means of the sealing wire based upon input from an operator which has been electronically identified by the safety box.

[0019] The safety box may be arranged within the fuel dispenser, preferably in the hydraulics module or the electronics module.

[0020] The safety box may be arranged outside of the fuel dispenser and / or connected through a cloud based solution. This would enable further possible embodiments for larger grid supervision. In such embodiments, the safety box could be used to remotely allow access for entry and service.

[0021] The sealing wire may be arranged at least around the dispensing unit in the hydraulics module.

[0022] The sealing wire may be arranged at least around the dispenser electronics in the electronics module.

[0023] The sealing wire may be arranged as a shell protection and / or as a component protection at the fuel dispenser.

[0024] The fuel dispenser may further comprise a top module arranged above the hydraulics module and the electronics module, and at least one column connecting the hydraulics module with the top module.

[0025] The fuel may be hydrogen, CNG or LNG.

[0026] The fuel may be petrol or diesel.

[0027] According to a second aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a method for accessing a fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, the fuel dispenser comprising a hydraulics module to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to at least a nozzle intended to supply the fuel to the vehicle, an electronics module arranged above the hydraulics module comprising dispenser electronics, a sealing wire arranged around an area of the fuel dispenser, such that a protection against tampering of the area is provided, the sealing wire comprises detection means adapted to detect breakage of the sealing wire, and a safety box connected to the detection means of the sealing wire. The method is characterized by the steps of electronically identifying an operator via the safety box which thereafter sends a command to deactivate the detections means, and accessing the area protected by the sealing wire.

[0028] Effects and features of the second aspect of the present invention are largely analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect of the inventive concept. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the present invention are largely compatible with the further aspects of the invention.

[0029] Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, as well as from the drawings. It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features.

[0030] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0031] As used herein, the term "comprising", and variations of that term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps.

[0032] Brief of the

[0033] The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals may be used for similar elements, and wherein:

[0034] Fig. 1A is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispensing unit with shell protection according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0035] Fig. IB is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispensing unit with component protection according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0036] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the fuel dispensing unit with shell protection according to the first aspect of the invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the fuel dispensing unit with shell protection according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0037] Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

[0038] The invention relates to a fuel dispenser 1 for refuelling a vehicle. Both alternative fuels, such as hydrogen or liquid natural gas (LNG), and more conventional fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, can be dispensed to vehicles via fuel dispenser 1.

[0039] A fuel dispenser 1 for dispensing conventional fuels normally has a pumping system (not shown) which is used to supply fuel from an underground storage tank (not shown) to one or more fuel nozzles 3 for filling up a vehicle with fuel. Each tank of the two or more fuel storage tanks may store a different type of fuel, such as petrol, diesel, and biodiesel. In the case of two or more fuel storage tanks, the fuel dispenser 1 may comprise two or more pumping systems, one for each fuel storage tank. In addition, two or more fuel dispensers 1 may be connected to the same fuel storage tank.

[0040] In the case of hydrogen or other cryogenic fuels such as LNG, the fuelling station typically includes a conditioning arrangement so that the fuel, which is a gas in this case, may be warmed and / or pressurized before delivery to the vehicle under high pressure, typically 350 bars or 700 bars. The conditioning arrangement is connected to at least a fuel dispenser 1. The conditioning arrangement supply gas in liquid state to the fuel dispenser 1 that deliver gas under gaseous state to the vehicle.

[0041] Fig. 1A illustrates a fuel dispenser 1 for dispensing fuel to a vehicle. The fuel dispenser 1 comprises a hydraulics module 2 which is normally placed on a ground and comprises hydraulics including a dispensing unit connected to at least a nozzle 3 intended to supply the fuel to the vehicle. The fuel dispenser 1 further comprises an electronics module 5 arranged on top of or at least above the hydraulics module 2 which comprises dispenser electronics, and a sealing wire 6 arranged around a specific area 7 of the fuel dispenser 1, such that a protection against tampering of components in that specific area 7 is provided. The protected area 7 can be any suitable area within the fuel dispenser 1 but can also constitute an entire site including a plurality of fuel dispensers 1. The sealing wire 6 comprises detection means (not shown) adapted to detect breakage of the sealing wire 6. The detection means may include a variety of different solutions but could, for example, comprise fiber optics or be constituted by a metal wire through which an electric current is applied via an intrinsic safety barrier. Intrinsic safety barriers are devices that limit the current, voltage, and total energy delivered to a component in a hazardous area or flammable environment to prevent an explosion.

[0042] If the sealing wire 6 is tampered with or if a breakage is detected it will immediately be detected by means of the detections means in the sealing wire 6. Suitable measurements can thereafter be taken into effect. Preferably, the detection means of the sealing wire 6 is connected to a safety 8 box placed within the fuel dispenser 1 or at a remote location. When the detection means detects breakage of the sealing wire 6, the safety box 8 will trigger an alarm and could, as a precautionary measurement, deactivate the fuel dispenser 1 temporarily.

[0043] The communication between the detection means of the sealing wire 6 and the safety box 8 could be solved by means a direct connection, such as through fiber, therebetween but also using wireless communication, such as a Wi-Fi- connection.

[0044] Many different solutions for increasing the safety in and around the fuel dispenser 1 or the site of fuel dispensers 1 is possible with such a safety box 8 connected to the sealing wire 6. As, stated above, the safety box 8 could be configured to trigger an alarm upon detected tampering - loud or silent - and shut down the fuel dispenser 1 or the entire site. However, it could also be used for identification of operators or potentially users of the fuel dispenser 1.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the safety box 8 could be used for electronic identification of an operator before entering the fuel dispenser 1. Upon such identification, the operator could be allowed to enter the protected area 7 of the fuel dispenser 1 for a predetermined time-period to carry out a working order.

[0046] Another possibility is to connect the safety box 8 - or the sealing wire 6 directly - to an existing one time password (OTP) system of the fuel dispenser 1. The OTP system is a security system that is frequently used in some countries, such as, for example, India. The system can be used to gain access in different areas of the fuel dispenser 1. When an operator arrives at the fuel dispenser 1, he can request access through a keypad on the fuel dispenser 1 and will thereafter receive a code which can be sent to a SMS service together with his identity. The SMS service can thereafter send a code in return which opens the area in the fuel dispenser 1 when entered on the keypad.

[0047] In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1A, the sealing wire is placed around the dispensing unit in the hydraulics module 2 to create a shell protection of the hydraulics module 2. Shell protection means protection for an object in such a way that intrusion of that object or its surrounding surfaces will trigger an alarm.

[0048] In Fig. IB, another embodiment of the fuel dispenser 1 is illustrated in which the sealing wire 6 instead is wound around the components within the hydraulics module 2 to create a component protection. With the component protection, the purpose is not to detect entry into the hydraulics module 2 but instead to detect any direct tampering with the components therein which are protected by the component protection created via the sealing wire 6.

[0049] In order to increase the safety around the fuel dispenser 1 even more, it is possible to encrypt any communication sent through the sealing wire 6. This will make it impossible to bypass the detections means in the sealing wire 6.

[0050] In Fig. 2, the fuel dispenser 1 is illustrated when provided with a shell protection at the electronics module 5.

[0051] Fig. 3 illustrates a fuel dispenser 1 in which the protected area 7 comprises both the hydraulics module 2 and the electronics module 5.

[0052] Naturally, this solution can be used in any type of fuel dispenser 1. The fuel supplied may be hydrogen, CNG, LNG, petrol or diesel.

[0053] The size and shape of the fuel dispenser 1 may naturally also be varied in any suitable way. Preferably, the fuel dispenser a further comprises a top module 9 arranged above the hydraulics module 2 and the electronics module 5, and a column 10 - arranged on each side thereof - connecting the hydraulics module 2 with the top module 9.

[0054] It is understood that other variations in the present invention are contemplated, and, in some instances, some features of the invention can be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention. For instance, it is important to understand that the sealing wire 6 or sealing wires 6 can be provided to or in connection with the fuel dispenser 1 in any suitable way. Naturally, shell protection and component protection can be combined in the same fuel dispenser 1. Such a solution could require that a plurality of sealing wires 6 are arranged within the same fuel dispenser 1.

[0055] In one specific embodiment, the sealing wire 6 is connected to each meter present in the hydraulics module 2, respectively, and from there drawn up to the electronics module 5 and connected to the safety box 8 arranged therein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fuel dispenser (1) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, comprising: a hydraulics module (2) to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to at least a nozzle (3) intended to supply the fuel to the vehicle, an electronics module (5) arranged above the hydraulics module (2) comprising dispenser electronics, and a sealing wire (6) arranged around an area (7) of the fuel dispenser (8), such that a protection against tampering of components in the area (7) is provided, characterized in that the sealing wire (6) comprises detection means adapted to detect breakage of the sealing wire (6).

2. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detection means comprises fiber optics.

3. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detection means is constituted by an electrical communication through the sealing wire (6).

4. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein any communication through the sealing wire (6) is encrypted.

5. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a safety box (8) connected to the detection means of the sealing wire (6).

6. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 5, wherein the safety box (8) is adapted to send a command to the detection means of the sealing wire (6) based upon input from an operator which has been electronically identified by the safety box (8).

7. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the safety box(8) is arranged within the fuel dispenser (1), preferably in the hydraulics module (2) or the electronics module (5).

8. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the safety box (8) is arranged outside of the fuel dispenser (1).

9. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing wire (6) is arranged at least around the dispensing unit in the hydraulics module (2).

10. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing wire (6) is arranged at least around the dispenser electronics in the electronics module (5).

11. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing wire (6) is arranged as a shell protection and / or as a component protection at the fuel dispenser (1).

12. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a top module (9) arranged above the hydraulics module (2) and the electronics module (5), and at least one column (10) connecting the hydraulics module (2) with the top module (10).

13. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel is hydrogen, CNG, LNG, petrol or diesel.

14. A method for accessing a fuel dispenser (1) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, the fuel dispenser (1) comprising: a hydraulics module (2) to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to at least a nozzle (3) intended to supply the fuel to the vehicle, an electronics module (5) arranged above the hydraulics module (2) comprising dispenser electronics,a sealing wire (6) arranged around an area (7) of the fuel dispenser (1), such that a protection against tampering of components in the area (7) is provided, the sealing wire (6) comprises detection means adapted to detect breakage of the sealing wire (6), and a safety box (8) connected to the detection means of the sealing wire (6), wherein the method is characterized by the steps of: electronically identifying an operator via the safety box (8) which thereafter sends a command to deactivate the detections means, and accessing the area (7) protected by the sealing wire (6).

15. A site comprising a plurality of fuel dispensers (1) according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, wherein the sealing wire (6) is arranged around an area (7) which contains all of the plurality of fuel dispensers (1).

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