Cable management in a fuel dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a gas dispenser (100) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle. The gas dispenser (100) comprises a hydraulics module (110) to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a gas tank and to at least a nozzle (103) intended to supply gas to the vehicle, an electronics module (120) arranged above the hydraulics module (110) comprising dispenser electronics, a top module (130) arranged above the hydraulics module (110) and the electronics module (120), and at least one column (140) connecting the hydraulics module (110) with the top module (130), the column (140) being hollow. The invention also relates to a fuel dispensing unit (300) for dispensing fuel to a motor-vehicle.

Description

[0001] CABLE MANAGEMENT IN A FUEL DISPENSER

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a fuel dispensing unit for dispensing fuel to a vehicle.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Safety aspects in and around areas containing fuel dispensing units is today a highly debated field and new technology is constantly developed with the intention to increase the safety within such areas. It is well-known that fuel is a highly inflammable substance at gaseous state, liquid state, or some combination thereof that must be handled with extreme care. An inherent property of fuel, that increases the risks of its handling, is its high volatility. For the above reasons, safety standards such as the UL standards for safety in North America, the ATEX directive in the EU or the European standard EN 13617 pertaining to petrol filling stations have been created for fuel handling to reduce the thereby induced risks.

[0006] According to those standards, electromechanical devices, such as the motor or the above-mentioned switching device, must be enclosed in explosion-proof housings or isolated through the use of intrinsically safe circuitry in order to protect against the hazards of a spark igniting fuel vapors.

[0007] Although serious measures have been taken to ensure the safety, it is always a concern when highly inflammable substances are handled around fuel dispensing units. It is particularly difficult to ensure safety when the fuel dispensed is gas such as hydrogen, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) or LPG (Liquefied Natural Gas) that could be dispensed at gaseous state or at liquid state. Indeed, hydrogen can be dispensed at gaseous state or at liquid state, for instance.

[0008] One conventional safety measure in fuel dispensing units available on the marked to is to arrange gas sensors in different areas of the fuel dispensing unit to be able to detect potential leakage therein.

[0009] US 2012 / 0192990 Al discloses a fuelling nozzle for dispensing a gaseous fuel to a vehicle that includes a main body having a conduit formed therein and configured to permit the gaseous fuel to flow therethrough. The conduit terminates at a dispensing end of the main body. The dispensing end of the main body forms an interface with a fuel inlet of the vehicle during a fuelling operation. The fuelling nozzle further includes a sensor disposed at the dispensing end of the main body adjacent to the conduit. The sensor is configured to detect a leakage of the gaseous fuel during the fuelling operation.

[0010] A problem with the solutions available on the market today is that they are expensive and complicated since a vast number of sensors are required in order to cover the different components and areas of the fuel dispensing unit.

[0011] Some areas of the dispenser, such as the bottom part comprising a dispensing unit, will not be covered by a sensor when it is located at the nozzle. This means that dispensers which are only equipped with a sensor in the vicinity of the nozzle will not be able to detect a potential leakage in the bottom part of the dispenser.

[0012] Summary of the invention

[0013] 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.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects, and / or advantages that will be apparent from the following description of embodiments, are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a gas dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle. The gas dispenser comprises a gas dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle. The gas dispenser comprises a hydraulics module to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a gas tank and to at least a nozzle intended to supply gas to the vehicle, an electronics module arranged above the hydraulics module comprising dispenser electronics, 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, the column being hollow. The gas dispenser is characterized in that it comprises cabling extending from the hydraulics module to a top portion of the electronics module via the at least one column.

[0015] This is advantageous in that any potential gas leakage from the hydraulics module following the cables out from the hydraulics module will rise upwardly in the column and out of the same to the surroundings at the top portion thereof instead of entering into the electronics compartment. Due to the fact that hydrogen gas is lighter than air it will rise up and out of the column instead of into the electronics compartment. Consequently, a simple and cost-efficient solution to a complicated problem has been achieved.

[0016] The cabling may extend from the hydraulics module and through the column, in a vertical direction, up to a position above the electronics module, and out of the column and into the electronics module from above.

[0017] The column may have an open top portion such that gas can escape out of the column and into the top module.

[0018] The top module may have a gas collecting housing with at least one opening, through which fuel at a gaseous state can enter, and a gas sensor at the gas collecting housing which is adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing.

[0019] A continuous overpressure may be present in the electronics module, thereby preventing gas from entering into the electronics module from the column.

[0020] The gas dispenser may further comprise a nozzle boot adapted to hold the nozzle, the nozzle boot being arranged between the hydraulics module and the top module and in communication with the at least one column, such that gas leaked from the nozzle placed therein can travel, into and through the at least one column, up and into the gas collecting housing via the at least one opening thereof.

[0021] The top module may have a perforated area in its bottom portion, through which gas from the surroundings or gas leaked from the gas dispenser can enter into the gas collecting housing.

[0022] The top module may have a perforated area in its top portion, through which gas can escape.

[0023] The gas distributed by the gas dispenser may be hydrogen.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel to a motorvehicle. The fuel dispenser comprises a hydraulics module to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, an electronics module arranged above the hydraulics module comprising dispenser electronics, 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, the column being hollow. The fuel dispenser is characterized in that it comprises cabling extending from the hydraulics module to a top portion of the electronics module via the at least one column.

[0025] 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. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0028] As used herein, the term "comprising" and variations of that term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0029] Brief description of the drawings

[0030] 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:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a gas dispenser according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0032] Fig. 2. is a front view of the exemplary embodiment of a gas dispenser according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0033] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispenser according to a second aspect of the invention. Detailed ion of embodiments of the invention

[0034] Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a gas dispenser 100 for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, normally hydrogen gas. The fuel dispensed by the dispensers described herein can, however, be in the form of gas, liquid or some combination thereof. The gas dispenser 100 comprises a hydraulics module 110, an electronics module 120 and a top module 130. The hydraulics module 110 is placed on the ground and has a dispensing unit (not shown) connected to a gas tank (not shown) and to at least a nozzle 103 intended to supply gas to the vehicle.

[0035] The electronics module 120 is arranged above the hydraulics module 110 and comprises dispenser electronics. In turn, the top module 130 is arranged above the hydraulics module 110 and the electronics module 120. In this specific embodiment, the top module 130 is arranged at a distance from the electronics module 120. However, other alternatives are also possible. In one embodiment of the invention, the top module 130 is arranged directly on top of the electronics module 120.

[0036] A nozzle boot 102, adapted to hold the nozzle 103, is arranged between the hydraulics module 110 and the top module 130 on each side of the gas dispenser 100. The nozzle boot 102 is placed directly on top of the hydraulics module 110 next to, and outside of, the electronics module 120.

[0037] A hollow column 140 connecting the hydraulics module 110 with the top module 130 is provided on each side of the gas dispenser 100.

[0038] In these types of gas dispensers 100, it is necessary to connect the hydraulics present in the hydraulics module 110 with the electronics present in the electronics module 120. A problem with any cabling extending between these two modules is that any potential gas leakage from the hydraulics module 110 will follow the cables out from the hydraulics module 110 and into the electronics module 120 which can lead to the potential risk of explosions.

[0039] However, with the present invention, the cabling 150 extends from the hydraulic module 110 into a top portion 121 of the electronics module 120 via the column 140. In this specific embodiment, the cabling 150 extends from the hydraulic module 110 and through the column 140, in a vertical direction, up to a position above the electronics module 120, and out of the column and into the electronics module 120 from above. As further illustrated in Fig. 1, the electronics module 120 has a cable channel 125 in the top portion 121 of the electronics module 120 through which the cabling 150 may extend.

[0040] By doing this way, any potential gas leakage from the hydraulics module 110 following the cables out from the hydraulics module 110 will rise upwardly in the column 140 and out of the same to the surroundings at a top portion thereof instead of entering into the electronics module 120. Due to the fact that hydrogen gas is lighter than air it will rise up and out of the column 140 instead of into the electronics module 120. The open top portion of the column 140 is preferably arranged in direct connection with the top module 130.

[0041] As a further safety measure, a continuous overpressure can be established in the electronics module 120 in order to prevent gas from entering into the electronics module 120 from the column 140. The overpressure could preferably be between 2-25 millibar.

[0042] The top module 130 could further be equipped with a gas collecting housing 135 provided with at least one opening 136, through which fuel at gaseous state can enter. This way, the fuel escaping out of the column 140 can enter into the gas collecting housing 135 through the opening 136. The nozzle boot 102, as introduced above, is in communication with the column 140 such that gas leaked from the nozzle 103 placed therein can travel, into and through the column 140, up and into the gas collecting housing 135 via the opening 136.

[0043] A gas sensor 137 may be arranged at the gas collecting housing 135 and adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing 135. This way, the gas sensor 137 will be able to detect fuel which has escaped out of the column 140 and into the gas collecting area 135. In other words, any potential gas leakage from the hydraulics module 110 following the cables 150 out from the hydraulics module 110 will rise upwardly in the column 140 and out of the same to the surroundings at the top portion thereof instead of entering into the electronics compartment 120. Thus, the gas sensor 137 can replace the multiple sensors used in conventional dispenser.

[0044] In one preferred embodiment, the top module 130 has a perforated area 134 in its bottom portion 132, through which gas from the surroundings or gas leaked from the gas dispenser 100 can enter into the gas collecting housing 135. The top module 130 has a perforated area 133 in its top portion 131 through which gas can escape. In one example, each perforated area 133, 134 preferably has seven grommets with a diameter of 12 mm, respectively.

[0045] Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispenser 300 for dispensing fuel to a motor-vehicle. The fuel dispenser 300 may be designed in a similar way, and may comprise similar features, as the gas dispenser 100 as introduced and discussed above.

[0046] The fuel dispenser 300 comprises a hydraulics module 310, an electronics module 320 and a top module 330. The hydraulics module 310 is placed on the ground. The hydraulics module 310 has a dispensing unit (not shown) connected to a fuel tank (not shown) and to at least a nozzle 303 intended to supply fuel to the motor-vehicle. The electronics module 320 is arranged above the hydraulics module 330 and contains dispenser electronics. The top module 330 is arranged above the hydraulics module 310 and the electronics module 320. In this specific embodiment, the top module 330 is arranged at a distance from the electronics module 320. An exemplary distance could be approximately 500 mm. In one preferred embodiment, the distance is exactly 507,2 mm.

[0047] A hollow column 340 connects the hydraulics module 310 with the top module 330. In this specific embodiment, a first and a second column 340 connects the hydraulics module 310 with the top module 330. The first and the second column 340 are arranged on each side of the fuel dispenser 300, respectively.

[0048] Cabling 350 extends from the hydraulic module 310 to a top portion 321 of the electronics module 320 via the column 340.

[0049] The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

[0050] For instance, the size, shape, and number of the different components included in the gas dispenser 100 may be varied in any suitable manner as long as the objectives of the invention are maintained.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A gas dispenser (100) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, comprising: a hydraulics module (110) to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to at least a nozzle (103) intended to supply gas to the vehicle, an electronics module (120) arranged above the hydraulics module (110) comprising dispenser electronics, a top module (130) arranged above the hydraulics module (110) and the electronics module (120), and at least one column (140) connecting the hydraulics module (110) with the top module (130), the column (140) being hollow, characterized in that the gas dispenser (100) comprises cabling (150) extending from the hydraulics module (110) to a top portion (121) of the electronics module (120) via the at least one column (140).

2. The gas dispenser (100) according to claim 1, wherein the cabling (150) extends from the hydraulics module (110) and through the column (140), in a vertical direction, up to a position above the electronics module (120), and out of the column (140) and into the electronics module (120) from above.

3. The gas dispenser (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein column (140) has an open top portion such that gas can escape out of the column (140) and into the top module (130).

4. The gas dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top module (130) has a gas collecting housing (135) with at least one opening (136), through which fuel at a gaseous state can enter, and a gas sensor (137) at the gas collecting housing (135) which is adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing (135).

5. The gas dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a continuous overpressure is present in the electronics module (120),thereby preventing gas from entering into the electronics module (120) from the column (140).

6. The gas dispenser (100) according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising a nozzle boot (102) adapted to hold the nozzle (103), the nozzle boot (102) being arranged between the hydraulics module (110) and the top module (130) and in communication with the at least one column (140), such that gas leaked from the nozzle (103) placed therein can travel, into and through the at least one column (140), up and into the gas collecting housing (135) via the at least one opening (136) thereof.

7. The gas dispenser (100) according to claim 4 or 6, wherein the top module (130) has a perforated area (134) in its bottom portion (132), through which gas from the surroundings or gas leaked from the gas dispenser (100) can enter into the gas collecting housing (135).

8. The gas dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top module (130) has a perforated area (133) in its top portion (131), through which gas can escape.

9. The gas dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas is hydrogen.

10. The gas dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas is CNG.

11. The gas dispenser (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas is LNG.

12. A fuel dispenser (300) for dispensing fuel to a motor-vehicle, comprising: a hydraulics module (310) to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle (303) intended to supply fuel to the vehicle,an electronics module (320) arranged above the hydraulics module (310) comprising dispenser electronics, a top module (330) arranged above the hydraulics module (310) and the electronics module (320), and at least one column (340) connecting the hydraulics module (310) with the top module (330), the column (340) being hollow, characterized in that the fuel dispenser (300) comprises cabling (350) extending from the hydraulics module (310) to a top portion (321) of the electronics module (320) via the at least one column (340).

13. The fuel dispenser (300) according to claim 10, wherein the fuel is dispensed in a liquid state.

14. The fuel dispenser (300) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the cabling (350) extends from the hydraulics module (310) and through the column (340), in a vertical direction, up to a position above the electronics module (320), and out of the column (340) and into the electronics module (320) from above.

15. The fuel dispenser (300) according to any one of the claims 12 to 14, wherein column (340) has an open top portion such that gas can escape out of the column (340) and into the top module (330).

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