Fuel dispenser

Abstract

The fuel dispenser (1) comprises: at least one dispensing apparatus (2) fixed onto the ground and connected in a fluid-operated manner to a fuel supply assembly and provided with at least one dispensing gun (3) connectable to a refueling tank and adapted to dispense the fuel into the refueling tank; at least one electronic unit (8) associated with the dispensing apparatus (2) and configured to electronically control the dispensing apparatus (2); where the electronic unit (8) comprises a micro-controller (9) configured to send instructions to the dispensing apparatus (2) depending on a machine code in a respective machine language and provided with an instruction code in a language different from the machine language and with conversion means (10) configured to convert the instruction code to the machine code.

Description

[0001] FUEL DISPENSER

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a fuel dispenser.

[0004] Background Art

[0005] Fueling stations are known provided with fuel dispensers adapted to supply fuel to a vehicle.

[0006] Fuels generally used to supply vehicles can be gaseous, such as e.g. natural gas, or liquid, including cryogenic liquids and traditional liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel.

[0007] In recent years fuels in the form of cryogenic liquids are increasingly popular, e.g., liquefied natural gas and liquid hydrogen.

[0008] Cryogenics is that particular branch of technology concerning the study, production and use of products stored at very low temperatures.

[0009] It is well known to subject some products naturally occurring in the gaseous state to cryogenic treatments which generally consist of a succession of cooling and condensation phases leading such gaseous products to liquefy.

[0010] Such a state transition allows the volume of a gas to be reduced with respect to its specific volume under standard conditions, thus allowing it to be stored in much smaller spaces than are needed under standard conditions.

[0011] Known dispensers comprise a dispensing apparatus, fixed onto the ground and fluidically connected to a fuel supply assembly and provided with at least one dispensing gun connectable to the fuel tank of a vehicle and adapted to dispense fuel into the tank.

[0012] The dispenser 1 also comprises at least one electronic unit configured to electronically control the dispensing apparatus.

[0013] In detail, the electronic unit is configured to control the various components of the dispensing apparatus, e.g., it is configured to operate the fuel pumping devices, to acquire data on the flow rate of the dispensed liquid, to enable the operation of a user interface, to carry out the processing of the amounts to be paid by a user and possibly to manage the system for the payment of these amounts, etc. In detail, the electronic unit is configured to send instructions to the dispensing apparatus according to a machine code programmed in a respective machine language.

[0014] However, programming a code in machine language is a very complex and timeconsuming operation.

[0015] In addition to this, the machine code is highly dependent on the specific type of electronic components both forming part of the electronic unit and of the dispensing apparatus. Therefore, any changes in the components of the dispensing apparatus require re-programming and installation of a new machine code.

[0016] This drawback is most apparent when it is necessary to make changes on a plurality of dispensers, at different fueling stations.

[0017] Description of the Invention

[0018] The main aim of the present invention is to devise a fuel dispenser which allows quick and easy programming of the electronic unit.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to devise a fuel dispenser which allows intervention to the components of the dispenser itself by reducing the activities related to rewriting machine codes and reprogramming the electronic unit.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to devise a fuel dispenser which can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and efficient to use and cost-effective solution.

[0021] The aforementioned objects are achieved by this fuel dispenser having the characteristics of claim 1.

[0022] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a fuel dispenser, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting example in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a view of a dispenser according to the invention;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an electronic unit according to the invention.

[0026] Embodiments of the Invention With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a fuel dispenser.

[0027] In the context of this disclosure, the term “fuel” means a substance which can be used as a vehicle fuel, which can be found in a gaseous state, such as natural gas, or a liquid state, including cryogenic liquids and traditional liquid fuels, such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Cryogenic liquid is a substance that is generally found in nature in the gaseous state and is subjected to a series of cooling and compression phases aimed at obtaining a corresponding liquid. In particular, cryogenic liquids comprise, e.g., liquefied natural gas and liquid hydrogen.

[0028] The dispenser 1 is installed in a filling station, not shown in detail in the figures. The filling station may comprise a plurality of dispensers 1 according to the present invention.

[0029] The dispenser 1 comprises at least one dispensing apparatus 2 fixed onto the ground and connected to a fuel supply assembly in a fluid-operated maimer.

[0030] In particular, a cryogenic liquid dispenser is shown in the attached tables of drawing. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the dispenser 1 may be of a different type.

[0031] The supply assembly can be a fuel production plant or a storage tank which can be filled by means of tanker trucks or the like.

[0032] The dispensing apparatus 2 is provided with at least one dispensing gun 3 connectable to a refueling tank and adapted to dispense the fuel into the refueling tank itself.

[0033] The dispensing apparatus 2 comprises a plurality of electronic components 4 adapted to enable the dispensing of the fuel by the dispensing gun 3.

[0034] In detail, the electronic components 4 are selected from the list comprising: fuel flow meter, solenoid valves for adjusting the fuel flow, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, etc.

[0035] The dispensing apparatus 2 also comprises a user interface 5 through which a user communicates with the dispensing apparatus itself.

[0036] In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, the user interface 5 comprises at least one display 6 and one push-button panel 7. Alternatively, the user interface 5 may comprise a touchscreen display.

[0037] The dispenser 1 also comprises at least one electronic unit 8 associated with the dispensing apparatus 2 and configured to electronically control the dispensing apparatus itself

[0038] In detail, the electronic unit is configured to control at least the electronic components 4 and the user interface 5. In the present case, the electronic unit 8 is configured to operate fuel pumping devices, to acquire data related to the flow rate of the fuel dispensed, to enable the operation of the user interface 5, to carry out the processing of the amounts to be paid by the user and possibly to manage the payment system of such amounts, etc.

[0039] According to the invention, the electronic unit 8 comprises a micro-controller 9 configured to send instructions to the dispensing apparatus 2 depending on a machine code in a respective machine language.

[0040] The machine code defines the set of instructions through which the microcontroller 9 operates the various components of the dispensing apparatus 2.

[0041] The machine code is programmed in a specific language depending on the type of micro-controller 9. Generally, the machine language is established by the manufacturer of the micro-controller 9.

[0042] The micro-controller 9 is provided with an instruction code in a language different from the machine language and with conversion means 10 configured to convert the instruction code into the machine code.

[0043] Advantageously, the instruction code is of the type of a byte-code and the conversion means 10 comprise at least one virtual machine.

[0044] The instruction code is, therefore, a code which can be programmed in a language which is generally simpler than machine language, more specifically in a more abstract intermediate language between the machine language of the machine code and the programming language of a source code. The instruction code is independent of the specific characteristics of the micro-controller and of the electronic components installed on the dispensing apparatus 2.

[0045] As a result, if any of the components of the dispensing apparatus 2 are replaced or changed, only the virtual machine needs to be rewritten while the instruction codes remain unchanged.

[0046] As known to the technician in the industry, the virtual machine is a software component configured to carry out the instruction code and to convert it real-time into machine code.

[0047] Preferably, the instruction code is of the type of a pseudo-code (e.g., a P-code) and the conversion means 10 comprise at least one virtual machine of the pseudocode type (e.g., a P-code machine).

[0048] Pseudo-code is a code similar to byte-code but describes instructions at a higher level. At the same time, the pseudo-code machine is a virtual machine specifically programmed to carry out a pseudo-code.

[0049] Conveniently, the virtual machine is of the type of a firmware specifically written for the micro-controller 9.

[0050] The instruction code can be generated from a source code of the graphical type by means of a compiler. Specifically, the graphical code is programmed in a graphical language, of the type of a “ladder diagram”, i.e., a language wherein the instructions that are to be coded are represented by symbols arranged in a specific sequence to each other.

[0051] Conveniently, the micro-controller 9 comprises at least one memory unit 11 operationally connected to the conversion means 10 and configured to store the instruction code.

[0052] Advantageously, the electronic unit 8 comprises at least one communication port 12 of serial type operationally connected to the micro-controller 9.

[0053] The communication port 12 allows loading the codes and the conversion means 10 onto the micro-controller 9.

[0054] Conveniently, the communication port 12 is selected from the list comprising: USB port, fiber optic port, RS485 port, RS232 port.

[0055] In accordance with the embodiment shown in the figures, the electronic unit comprises a plurality of communication ports 12.

[0056] The instruction code is preferably loadable into the micro-controller 9 via a communication port 12 of the USB type.

[0057] Conveniently, the micro-controller 9 is provided with at least one communication protocol 13 through which the micro-controller itself communicates with the user interface 5.

[0058] Through the communication protocol 13, the micro-controller 9 is able to process the commands received from the user via the user interface 5 and to send the relevant instructions to the components of the dispensing apparatus 2.

[0059] In addition, the communication protocol 13 also allows communication of the micro-controller 9 with a remote management unit. For example, the remote management unit can be installed in the fueling station and be configured to control all the dispensers 1 in the fueling station itself For example, the electronic unit 8 can be connected to the remote management unit via a fiber optic communication port 12.

[0060] Advantageously, the micro-controller 9 also comprises a control code configured to check the integrity of the instruction code.

[0061] The control code is of the type of a cyclic redundancy code which is executed each time the conversion means 10 execute the instruction code in order to check for any discrepancies that might be caused by tampering with the instruction code itself. In this regard, it should be specified that, generally, the communication ports 12 through which the instruction code is loaded are plumbed and are therefore inaccessible from the outside. The possibility cannot, however, be ruled out that the instruction code may be tampered with in some way and the control code is configured to check this situation.

[0062] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the fuel dispenser allows for quick and easy programming of the electronic unit.

[0063] In addition, the present fuel dispenser allows intervention to the components of the dispenser itself by freeing itself from the need for further rewriting of the instruction codes.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Fuel dispenser (1) comprising: at least one dispensing apparatus (2) fixed onto the ground and connected in a fluid-operated maimer to a fuel supply assembly and provided with at least one dispensing gun (3) connectable to a refueling tank and adapted to dispense said fuel into said refueling tank; at least one electronic unit (8) associated with said dispensing apparatus (2) and configured to electronically control said dispensing apparatus (2); characterized by the fact that said electronic unit (8) comprises a micro-controller (9) configured to send instructions to said dispensing apparatus (2) depending on a machine code in a respective machine language and provided with an instruction code in a language different from said machine language and with conversion means (10) configured to convert said instruction code to said machine code.2) Dispenser (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said instruction code is of the type of a byte-code and by the fact that said conversion means (10) comprise at least one virtual machine.3) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said instruction code is of the type of a pseudo-code and by the fact that said conversion means (10) comprise at least one virtual machine of the pseudo-code type.4) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said virtual machine is of the type of a firmware specifically written for said micro-controller (9).5) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said micro-controller (9) comprises at least one memory unit (11) operationally connected to said conversion means (10) and configured to store said instruction code.6) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said instruction code can be generated from a source code of the graphical type by means of a compiler.7) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said electronic unit (8) comprises at least one communication port (12) of serial type operationally connected to said micro-controller (9).8) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said communication port (12) is selected from the list comprising:USB port, fiber optic port, RS485 port, RS232 port.9) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said dispensing apparatus (2) comprises at least one user interface (5) and by the fact that said micro-controller (9) is provided with at least one communication protocol (13) through which said micro -controller (9) communicates with said user interface (5).10) Dispenser (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said micro-controller (9) comprises a control code configured to check the integrity of said instruction code.

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