Fuel dispenser with control system located inside hydraulic compartment

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel filling machine (1), comprising: a hose storage space (2), which is suitable for accommodating at least one fuel hose (3); an electronics compartment (4), which contains a main frame control unit (5); and a hydraulic compartment (6), which contains a fuel dispensing device (22) for dispensing fuel into a vehicle reservoir. According to the invention, the hydraulic control unit (7) is located inside the hydraulic compartment (6) and is electrically connected to the main frame control unit (5) via a main cable device (17). The invention also relates to a method for operating a fuel filling machine (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a fuel filling machine for filling a vehicle with fuel and to a method for operating a fuel filling machine. Background Art

[0002] When passing the cable through the first surface and the second surface, the standard of sealing the cable relative to the two surfaces is naturally different according to the environmental situation. If these surfaces are part of an assembly that handles combustible materials (such as a fuel distribution unit), the standard of sealing is high.

[0003] As is well known, fuels, such as gasoline or diesel, are highly flammable substances that must be handled with great care. An inherent property of fuels that increases the risk of handling them is their high volatility. For the reasons stated above, safety standards have been created for fuel handling, such as the North American UL safety standards and ATEX guidelines, to reduce the risks caused thereby.

[0004] Fuel dispensers typically include electronics to enable a user to control the hydraulics of the fuel dispensing unit and, for example, refuel a vehicle. The electronics of the fuel dispensing unit may provide an increased risk in that, for example, sparks from the electronic circuits and / or heat radiated from the electronic wiring and circuits may ignite fuel vapors.

[0005] The hydraulic components and electronics of the fuel dispenser are located in separate compartments or modules. However, in order for the fuel dispenser to operate, cables must be pulled between the hydraulic and electronics compartments, thereby risking the introduction of flammable material from the hydraulic compartment up into the electronics compartment.

[0006] There are currently many different solutions available on the market for sealing cables. The technology currently used is based on installing the sealing device after the cable has been positioned. Before each surface through which the cable passes is provided with a gasket and some type of sealing element, the cable to be sealed must be pulled through the surface in question.

[0007] The problem with sealing devices for cables according to this and other prior art techniques is that they involve a large number of parts and their installation. This process is cumbersome and time consuming. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over fuel filling machines according to the prior art.A particular object is to provide a fuel filling machine which minimises the number of cables pulled between the hydraulic compartment and the electronics compartment.

[0009] According to a first aspect, these and other objects and / or advantages that will become apparent from the description of the following embodiments are fully or at least partially achieved by a fuel filling machine for filling a vehicle with fuel. The fuel filling machine comprises: a hose storage space, the hose storage space being suitable for accommodating at least one fuel hose; an electronics compartment, the electronics compartment containing a main frame control unit; and a hydraulic compartment containing a fuel dispensing device for delivering fuel to a vehicle reservoir. The fuel filling machine comprises a hydraulic control unit controlling the fuel dispensing device. The hydraulic control unit is located inside the hydraulic compartment and is electrically connected to the main frame control unit by a main cable arrangement.

[0010] This is advantageous because the number of cables that need to be pulled between the hydraulic compartment and the electronics compartment is minimized. In turn, maneuvering the fuel dispensing unit would be very difficult since sensitive operations are performed in the hydraulic compartment and only communicate to the electronics compartment.

[0011] The fuel distribution device may include at least one flow meter and at least one control valve, the at least one flow meter being adapted to measure the fuel flow in the at least one fuel hose, the at least one control valve being adapted to control the fuel flow in the at least one fuel hose based on the fuel flow measured by the flow meter. The flow meter and the control valve may be electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit via a second cable arrangement.

[0012] The fuel dispensing device may include at least one fuel dispensing unit, a flow meter and a control valve, the at least one fuel dispensing unit including a pump motor driving a pump, the flow meter being adapted to measure a fuel flow rate delivered by the pump, and the control valve being adapted to control the delivered fuel flow rate based on the fuel flow rate measured by the flow meter. The driving pump motor, the flow meter and the control valve may be electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit via a second cable arrangement.

[0013] The fuel dispensing device may include a plurality of fuel dispensing units, each of which is electrically connected to a different hydraulic control unit.

[0014] The hydraulic control units may be electrically connected in series via a third cable arrangement, one of the hydraulic control units being connected to the main frame control unit via a single main cable arrangement.

[0015] This new concept will further reduce the number of cables that need to be run between the hydraulic compartment and the electronics compartment, which in turn would make the fuel dispensing unit even more difficult to maneuver.

[0016] The hydraulic control units may each be electrically connected to the main frame control unit via a different main cable arrangement.

[0017] The main cable device, the second cable device, and the third cable device may each include a power supply line and a command line.

[0018] The main frame control unit may include a user interface device suitable for interacting with the external environment.

[0019] The hydraulic control unit may comprise at least one sensor adapted to detect a magnetic field.

[0020] The at least one sensor may be a Hall Effect sensor.

[0021] The electronics compartment and the hydraulic compartment may be connected to the hose storage space by means of a column.The electronics compartment may be arranged above the hydraulic compartment and in contact with the hydraulic compartment.

[0022] According to a second aspect, these objects are achieved in whole or at least in part by a method for operating a fuel filling machine. The fuel filling machine comprises: a hose storage space adapted to accommodate at least one fuel hose; an electronics compartment containing a main frame control unit; and a hydraulic compartment containing a fuel dispensing device for delivering fuel to an interior of a vehicle reservoir. The method comprises the step of controlling the fuel dispensing device by a hydraulic control unit located in the hydraulic compartment. The hydraulic control unit is connected to the main frame control unit of the electronics compartment.

[0023] The method may further comprise the step of interacting with an external environment of the fuel dispenser, such as with a user, via the main frame control unit, and updating the hydraulic control unit accordingly.

[0024] The method may further comprise the steps of operating the fuel distribution device of the hydraulic compartment by means of the hydraulic control unit and updating the main frame control unit accordingly.

[0025] It should be noted that the different embodiments of the apparatus described above are merely illustrative and can be combined with one another in any suitable manner, depending on the requirements of the fuel filling machine set up.

[0026] The effects and features of the second and third aspects of the present invention are largely similar to those described above in conjunction with the first aspect of the inventive concept. The embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the present invention are largely compatible with the other aspects of the present invention.

[0027] Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims as well as from the drawings.It is noted that the present invention relates to all possible combinations of features.

[0028] Generally, unless otherwise explicitly defined herein, all terms used in the claims should be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, all references to "a / an / the [element, device, part, means, step, etc.]" are openly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, part, means, step, etc.

[0029] As used herein, the term "comprise" and variations of this term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The above objects as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood by referring to the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fuel filling machine according to the first aspect of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the fuel filling machine according to the first aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of a fuel filling machine 1 for filling a vehicle with fuel is shown. The fuel filling machine 1 comprises a hose storage space 2 adapted to accommodate at least one fuel hose 3, an electronics compartment 4 containing a main frame control unit 5 arranged internally and a user interface (not shown) arranged externally, and a hydraulic compartment 6 containing a fuel dispensing device 22 for delivering fuel (as gasoline or diesel) into a vehicle reservoir.

[0034] The hydraulic compartment 6 houses at least one hydraulic control unit 7 controlling the fuel dispensing device 22. The hydraulic control unit 7 located inside the hydraulic compartment 6 is electrically connected by a main cable arrangement 17 to the main frame control unit 5 located in the electronics compartment 4 as described above.

[0035] exist Figure 1 In the embodiment of the invention, the fuel dispensing device 22 includes four fuel dispensing units 16, each of which includes a drive pump 10 driven by a pump motor 11 through a belt 25, at least one flow meter 9 for measuring the flow rate of the delivered fuel, and at least one control valve 8 for adjusting the fuel flow rate.

[0036] The hydraulic control unit 7 is also electrically connected to the control valve 8, the flow meter 9, the drive pump 10 and the pump motor 11 through a second cable arrangement 21. These components are used to control the flow of fuel through the hydraulic compartment 6, out of the underground fuel tank through the fuel hose 3 and into the vehicle tank via the nozzle 12 connected to the end of the fuel hose 3.

[0037] The main frame control unit 5 handles interaction with the external environment of the fuel filling machine 1 (such as with a user) through a user interface and updates the hydraulic control unit 7 accordingly.

[0038] The hydraulic control unit 7 in turn operates the fuel dispensing unit 16 connected thereto and more specifically its hydraulic components such as the control valve 8, flow meter 9, drive pump 10 and pump motor 11. The hydraulic control unit 7 also updates the main frame control unit 5 accordingly.

[0039] As from Figure 1 As can be seen, the flow meter 9 and the control valve 8 are directly connected to each other in the hydraulic compartment 6 via the hydraulic control unit 7 .

[0040] The hydraulic control unit 7 is connected to at least one sensor (not shown) suitable for detecting a magnetic field. The sensor is preferably constituted by a Hall effect sensor. More specifically, the sensor is used to detect the magnetic field generated by the flow meter 9 and which corresponds to the rotation of the flow meter 9 (and thus proportional to the volume of fuel output by the driving pump 10).

[0041] The hydraulic control unit 7 is located above the cover 26 of the flow meter 9 .

[0042] Alternatively, the hydraulic control unit 7 is located inside the cover 26 of the flow meter.

[0043] In a particular embodiment, the electronic card of the hydraulic control unit 7 and the electronic card of the flow meter 9 are a single electronic card. Alternatively, the electronic card of the hydraulic control unit 7 and the electronic card of the flow meter 9 are separate cards, such as so-called semi-flexible cards.

[0044] The electronics compartment 4 and the hydraulic compartment 6 are connected to the hose storage space 2 via a column 13. Furthermore, the electronics compartment 4 is arranged above the hydraulic compartment 6.

[0045] In an alternative embodiment, the electronics compartment 4 may be arranged directly above the hydraulic compartment 6 , the electronics compartment 4 being in contact with the hydraulic compartment 6 .

[0046] The main cable arrangement 17 passes through a safety area 18 which is provided to prevent fuel vapor from penetrating from the hydraulic compartment 6 to the interior of the electronics compartment 4 .

[0047] Various solutions are available, such as a foam that fits tightly against the cable as described in patent EP 1333007. It can provide a safe environment according to ATEX guidelines.

[0048] according to Figure 1 In the possible embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the main cable arrangement 17 extends along a lateral wall 20 of the hydraulic compartment 6 and is protected by a cover 19 . The cover 19 is fixed to the lateral wall 20 .

[0049] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 4 , the fuel dispenser 1 comprises four fuel dispensing units 16 , each of which dispenses a single type of fuel (eg, SP95 or E85 or diesel).

[0050] Each fuel distribution unit 16 is connected to a different hydraulic control unit 7 (one hydraulic control unit 7 for each fuel distribution unit 16). Thus, there are four hydraulic control units 7 connected in series with each other. Thus, the four fuel distribution units 16 are connected in series with each other via the third cable arrangement 23, thereby forming a fuel distribution assembly 22 which is electrically connected to the main frame control unit 5 via a single main cable arrangement 17. The two hydraulic control units 7 of two respective fuel distribution units 16 are connected via one third cable arrangement 23.

[0051] One of the four hydraulic control units 7, which may be referred to as the main hydraulic control unit 7, is electrically connected to the main frame control unit 5 via a single main cable arrangement 17. This also provides for the connection of the other hydraulic control units 7 to the main frame control unit 5.

[0052] Each hydraulic control unit 7 is electrically connected to the control valve 8 , the flow meter 9 , the drive pump 10 and the pump motor 11 of the fuel dispensing unit 16 via a second cable arrangement 21 .

[0053] During the mixing and filling process, the two separate hydraulic control units 7 connected in series can communicate directly with each other without involving the main frame control unit 5 of the electronics compartment 4.

[0054] According to another embodiment (not shown), each hydraulic control unit 7 is connected to the main frame control unit 5 by a different main cable arrangement 17. Thus, the fuel dispenser 1 comprises four main cable arrangements 17 extending along the lateral walls 20 of the hydraulic compartment 6 for connecting each hydraulic control unit 7 to the main frame control unit 5. The four main cable arrangements 17 are protected by a cover 19.

[0055] According to another embodiment (not shown), the hydraulic compartment 6 houses a single hydraulic control unit 7 electrically connected by cables to the four fuel dispensing units 16. More precisely, each hydraulic component of the fuel dispensing units 16, such as pump motors, meters and valves, is connected to the single hydraulic control unit 7 by cables.

[0056] This single hydraulic control unit 7 is connected to the main frame control unit 5 via a single main cable arrangement 17 .

[0057] This single hydraulic control unit 7 may include a multi-core processor capable of managing the four fuel distribution units 16 individually.

[0058] Whatever the embodiment, the hydraulic control unit 7 is advantageously enclosed in an explosion-proof housing in order to avoid the risk of explosion inside the hydraulic compartment 6 in the event of a discharge of fuel vapors.

[0059] The main cable arrangement 17, the third cable arrangement 23 and the second cable arrangement 21 may be CAN bus, serial communication or any other conventional communication technology.

[0060] The main cable device 17, the third cable device 23, and the second cable device 21 each include a power supply line and at least one command line.

[0061] For example, the power supply line of the main cable arrangement 17 is connected to a power source capable of feeding the fuel dispensing unit 16 .

[0062] Figure 2 An alternative embodiment of a fuel filling machine 1 is shown. In this embodiment, the fuel filling machine 1 also comprises: a hose storage space 2, which is suitable for accommodating a plurality of fuel hoses 3; an electronics compartment 4, which contains a main frame control unit 5 arranged inside and a user interface (not shown) arranged outside; and a hydraulic compartment 6, which contains a fuel dispensing device 22. The hydraulic compartment 6 accommodates a hydraulic control unit 7, which controls the fuel dispensing device 22 in the hydraulic compartment 6.

[0063] The fuel dispensing device 22 comprises a fuel dispensing unit 16 including a control valve 8 , a flow meter 9 , a drive pump 10 and a pump motor 11 .

[0064] The hydraulic control unit 7 is connected to the main frame control unit 5 via a main cable arrangement 17 .

[0065] The hydraulic control unit 7 is connected to the control valve 8, the flow meter 9, the drive pump 10 and the pump motor 11 by means of a second cable arrangement 21. These components are used to control the flow of fuel through the hydraulic compartment 6, out of the underground tank through the fuel hose 3 and into the vehicle tank via the nozzle 12 connected to the end of the fuel hose 3.

[0066] In this embodiment, the drive pump 10 comprises a bypass channel 14 arranged between the pressure side P and the suction side S of the drive pump 10. The bypass channel 14 has a control valve 8 which is constituted by a spring valve.

[0067] The control valve 8 , which is an electronically controlled valve 8 , is electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit 7 via a second cable arrangement 21 .

[0068] The drive pump 10 is also electrically connected to the flow meter 9 via a second cable arrangement 21. The flow meter 9 is electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit 7 via a second cable arrangement 21.

[0069] An example of a refueling process of the fuel filling machine 1 will now be described in more detail. When the nozzle 12 is removed from the nozzle cover 15 of the fuel filling machine 1, the main frame control unit 5 of the electronics compartment 4 is notified.

[0070] The main frame control unit 5 forwards this information (as well as any user information entered through the user interface) to the hydraulic control unit 7 of the hydraulic compartment 6. From here on, the refueling process is completely manipulated by the hydraulic control unit 7 and the components present in the hydraulic compartment 6. The main frame control unit 5 is only updated about the ongoing refueling process and is not used to control the ongoing refueling process. In other words, all real-time decisions are made by the hydraulic control unit 7.

[0071] The hydraulic control unit 6 activates the pump motor 11 which drives the pump 10. The pump motor 11 usually runs at a fixed speed, so that fuel circulates from the pressure side P to the suction side S via the bypass channel 14 at full capacity (e.g. at a rate of 80 l / min) until the actual refueling of the vehicle has begun.

[0072] When the nozzle 12 opens and fuel begins to flow from the nozzle, a pressure drop will occur and the pressure from the fuel applied to the spring valve present in the bypass passage will decrease. In other words, if the nozzle 12 begins to deliver fuel to the vehicle at a flow rate of 40 liters / minute, the fuel flow rate through the bypass passage 14 will be reduced to 40 liters / minute.

[0073] When the refueling process is completed, the main frame control unit 5 of the electronics compartment 4 is updated accordingly through the hydraulic control unit 7 located inside the hydraulic compartment 6, so that any necessary information can be presented to the user through the user interface existing outside the electronics compartment 4.

[0074] In another embodiment, the fuel dispenser 1 is in a submerged configuration, comprising a pump submerged in a fuel tank of a petrol station.

[0075] The fuel dispensing device 22 includes at least one flow meter 9 adapted to measure the fuel flow in the at least one fuel hose 3 , and at least one control valve 8 adapted to control the fuel flow in the at least one fuel hose 3 based on the fuel flow measured by the flow meter 9 .

[0076] The fuel filling machine 1 comprises at least one hydraulic control unit 7 located inside the hydraulic compartment 6 .

[0077] The hydraulic control unit 7 is electrically connected to the main frame control unit 5 via at least one main cable arrangement 17 .

[0078] A set of flow meters 9 and control valves 8 is dedicated to one fuel type (diesel or gasoline). There is one hydraulic control unit 7 for each fuel type or each set of flow meters 9 and control valves 8. These flow meters 9 and control valves 8 are electrically connected via a second cable arrangement 21.

[0079] Each set of flow meter 9 and control valve 8 is electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit 7. The hydraulic control units 7 of the set of flow meters 9 and control valves 8 are connected together in series through a third cable arrangement 23.

[0080] All features described above in relation to the hydraulic control unit 7 apply to this embodiment. A person skilled in the art realizes that various modifications are possible to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0081] For example, the main frame control unit 5 may be arranged digitally in the cloud rather than physically present in the electronics compartment 5 of the fuel dispenser 1 .

Claims

1. A fuel filling machine (1) for filling a vehicle with fuel, comprising: a hose storage space (2) adapted to accommodate at least one fuel hose (3), an electronics compartment (4) containing a main frame control unit (5), and a hydraulic compartment (6) containing a fuel dispensing device (22) for delivering fuel to a vehicle reservoir, The fuel filling machine (1) comprises a hydraulic control unit (7) for controlling the fuel dispensing device (22), wherein the hydraulic control unit (7) is located inside the hydraulic compartment (6) and is electrically connected to the main frame control unit (5) via a main cable device (17); The fuel distribution device (22) comprises a plurality of fuel distribution units (16), each of which is electrically connected to a different hydraulic control unit (7); wherein the hydraulic control units (7) are electrically connected in series via a third cable device (23), and one of the hydraulic control units (7) is connected to the main frame control unit (5) via a single main cable device (17); and Therein, the single main cable arrangement (17) extends along the lateral wall (20) of the hydraulic compartment (6) and is protected by a cover (19) fixed to the lateral wall (20).

2. The fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The fuel distribution device (22) comprises at least one flow meter (9) and at least one control valve (8), wherein the at least one flow meter is adapted to measure the fuel flow in the at least one fuel hose (3), and the at least one control valve is adapted to control the fuel flow in the at least one fuel hose (3) based on the fuel flow measured by the flow meter (9), wherein the flow meter (9) and the control valve (8) are electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit (7) via a second cable device (21).

3. The fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The fuel dispensing device (22) comprises at least one fuel dispensing unit (16), a flow meter (9) and a control valve (8), wherein the at least one fuel dispensing unit comprises a pump motor (11) of a drive pump (10), the flow meter is suitable for measuring the fuel flow delivered by the drive pump (10), and the control valve is suitable for controlling the delivered fuel flow based on the fuel flow measured by the flow meter (9), and the pump motor (11), the flow meter (9) and the control valve (8) are electrically connected to the hydraulic control unit (7) via a second cable device (21).

4. The fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic control units (7) are each electrically connected to the main frame control unit (5) via a different main cable arrangement (17).

5. The fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The main cable device (17), the second cable device (21) and the third cable device (23) each include a power supply line and a command line.

6. A fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The main frame control unit (5) comprises a user interface device suitable for interacting with the external environment.

7. A fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The hydraulic control unit (7) comprises at least one sensor adapted to detect a magnetic field.

8. The fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 7, wherein: The at least one sensor is a Hall Effect sensor.

9. A fuel filling machine (1) according to claim 1, wherein: The electronics compartment (4) and the hydraulic compartment (6) are connected to the hose storage space (2) via a column (13), the electronics compartment (4) being arranged above the hydraulic compartment (6) and in contact with the hydraulic compartment.

10. A method for operating a fuel filling machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the fuel filling machine comprising: a hose storage space (2) adapted to accommodate at least one fuel hose (3); an electronics compartment (4) containing a main frame control unit (5); and a hydraulic compartment (6) containing a fuel distribution device (22) for delivering fuel to the interior of the vehicle reservoir, The method comprises the step of controlling the fuel dispensing device (22) by means of a hydraulic control unit (7) located in the hydraulic compartment (6), the hydraulic control unit (7) being connected to a main frame control unit (5) of the electronics compartment (4).

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the steps of: The main frame control unit (5) interacts with the external environment of the fuel filling machine (1) and updates the hydraulic control unit (7) accordingly.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising the following steps: The fuel distribution device (22) of the hydraulic compartment (6) is operated by the hydraulic control unit (7), and the main frame control unit (5) is updated accordingly.

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