A fuel dispenser and a method for conducting a safety test of a fuel dispenser

Abstract

The invention relates to a fuel dispenser (1) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle. The gas dispenser (1) comprises a bottom part (2) adapted to be placed on ground and comprising a dispensing unit (3) connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle (4) intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, a top part (5) arranged above the bottom part (2), at least one intermediate part (17) connecting the bottom part (2) and the top part (5), and at least one gas sensor (10) arranged in a specific area of the fuel dispenser (1) which is adapted to detect gas present in that specific area. The fuel dispenser (1) is characterized in that the fuel dispenser (100) is arranged to release fuel gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor (10) is arranged. The invention also relates to a method for conducting a safety test of a fuel dispenser (1).

Description

[0001] A FUEL DISPENSER AND A METHOD FOR CONDUCTING A SAFETY TEST OF A FUEL DISPENSER

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle and a method for conducting a safety test of a fuel dispenser.

[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 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 vapours.

[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 gas 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 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 the conduit. The sensor is configured to detect a leakage of the gaseous fuel during the fuelling operation.

[0010] Since the sensors are vital in order to ensure the safety around the fuel dispenser it is important to continuously test their functionality. A problem in this regard is that at least some sensors within the fuel dispenser are placed in areas that are difficult to access.

[0011] Summary of the invention

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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 fuel dispenser for dispensing fuel to a vehicle.

[0014] The fuel dispenser comprising a bottom part adapted to be placed on ground and comprises a dispensing unit connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, a top part arranged above the bottom part, at least one intermediate part connecting the bottom part and the top part, and at least one gas sensor arranged in a specific area of the fuel dispenser which is adapted to detect gas present in that specific area.

[0015] According to the invention, the fuel dispenser is arranged to release gas in the area where the at least one gas sensor is arranged.

[0016] This is advantageous as it facilitates service and daily maintenance of the at least one gas sensor. With this design, it allows for routine checks of the at least one gas sensor in an easy and user-friendly way without the need of actually reaching and / or being in contact with the at least one gas sensor. This is achieved by that the fuel dispenser is arranged to release gas in the area where the at least one gas sensor is arranged and if the gas sensor detects the released gas, it may be verified that the gas sensor works as expected. This enables to verify if the at least one gas sensor is trigged by the released gas. Thus, a safety test of the at least one gas sensor is provided in an easy and user-friendly way.

[0017] The fuel dispenser may further comprise a control unit connected to the fuel dispenser and arranged to command the fuel dispenser to release the gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor is arranged at a given time or in accordance with a given time interval.

[0018] This enables releasing the gas in the specific area in a secure and controllable way. Thus, it is possible to plan when a safety test of the at least one gas sensor should be performed and how often this test should be repeated.

[0019] The fuel dispenser may be arranged to release a small amount of gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor is arranged. The small amount of gas may be interpreted as being a quantity sufficient to check the at least one gas sensor.

[0020] This enables that only a small amount of fuel gas is released to the specific area in order to perform the test of the at least one gas sensor.

[0021] The gas may be released from the fuel tank.

[0022] The gas may be released from the nozzle when fuel has been supplied to the vehicle via the nozzle.

[0023] This is advantageous as it allows using fuel which is recirculated and / or ventilated from the nozzle of the fuel dispenser, i.e. it allows using "already lost fuel". It should be noted that the fuel which is recirculated and / or ventilated from the nozzle has not been paid by any customer. Thus, no customer is affected by the design of this solution.

[0024] The specific area may be a ventilated area, which may be ventilated by means of a ventilation line.

[0025] The fuel dispenser may further comprise a first valve arranged in the ventilation line of the fuel dispenser. This may be especially advantageous if the gas is released from the nozzle when fuel has been supplied to the vehicle via the nozzle because it may be possible to control the releasement of the gas in an easy way. In this way, it is possible to control an amount of gas released to the specific area by opening the first valve during a controlled, or predetermined, time period.

[0026] The fuel dispenser may further comprise a second valve arranged in the ventilation line of the fuel dispenser. This ensures that a quantity of the gas released to the specific area is not dependent of the reaction time of the valves. Instead, the first valve may be arranged to be open during recirculation and / or ventilation of fuel from the hose and nozzle. Thereafter, the first valve may be closed, and the second valve may be open such that the gas may be released to the specific area in which the at least one gas sensor is arranged. Thus, a reliable and secure releasement of the gas may be provided.

[0027] The top part may comprise a gas collecting housing, and the specific area may be the gas collecting housing.

[0028] This implies that the at least one gas sensor is arranged in the gas collecting housing. This also implies that the fuel dispenser is arranged to release gas in the gas collecting housing. This may be advantageous as it allows to check the functionality of the gas sensor in an easy and user-friendly way although the gas sensor may be difficult to reach. This may be further advantageous as it allows to introduce the gas sensor in an area of the fuel dispenser in which a gas leakage may occur.

[0029] The fuel may be hydrogen, and the gas sensor is a hydrogen sensor.

[0030] The fuel may be gasoline.

[0031] The fuel may be Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG.

[0032] The fuel may be Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.

[0033] 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 conducting a safety test of a fuel dispenser. The fuel dispenser comprises a bottom part adapted to be placed on ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, a top part arranged above the bottom part, at least one intermediate part connecting the bottom part and the top part, and at least one gas sensor arranged in a specific area of the fuel dispenser which is adapted to detect fuel present in the specific area. The method comprises the steps of releasing the fuel in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor is arranged and determining if the at least one gas sensor detects the released fuel to verify if the at least one gas sensor is working as expected.

[0034] The step of releasing the fuel in the specific area may be conducted at the end of a refuelling process at the fuel dispenser. The step of releasing the fuel in the specific area may be conducted just before ventilation of the specific area.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] As used herein, the term "comprising" and variations of that term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0039] Brief of the

[0040] 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:

[0041] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispenser according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0042] Fig. 2. is a cross-sectional view of the fuel dispenser.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a top part of the fuel dispenser.

[0044] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0045] Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a fuel dispenser 1 for dispensing fuel to a vehicle. The fuel dispenser 1 has a bottom part 2 standing on the ground which comprises a dispensing unit 3 connected to a gas tank (not shown) and to a nozzle 4 intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, and a top part 5 arranged above the bottom part 2.

[0046] A first and a second column 6, 7 extend from the bottom part 2 to the top part 5 at opposite sides of the fuel dispenser 1 and hold the top part 5 in place. The hydraulics of the fuel dispenser 1 is arranged in the bottom part 2 and the top part 5 comprises a gas collecting housing 8 which has a plurality of openings in its bottom portion 9, through which fuel gas at a gaseous state can enter.

[0047] A nozzle boot 13 adapted to hold the nozzle 4 is arranged at each column 6, 7 between the bottom part 2 and the top part 5. The nozzle boots 13 are in communication with the columns 6, 7, respectively, such that gas potentially leaked from the nozzle 4, when held in the nozzle boot 13, can travel from the nozzle boot 13 and into the columns 6, 7. From there, the gas will rise through the columns 6, 7 and enter into the gas collecting housing 8 of the top part 5 through an opening 12 in the bottom portion 9 thereof. At least a hole (not shown) is provided in the nozzle boots 13. The hole is located in front of the output of the nozzle 4 or above the nozzle 4.

[0048] At least one intermediate part 17 extends from the bottom part 2 to the top part 5 for connecting the bottom part 2 and the top part 5. The fuel dispenser 1 may be equipped with one single intermediate part 17. In another example, four intermediate parts 17 are provided. One or all of the intermediate parts 17 may carry nozzle boots 13. The intermediate parts 17 may extend from a top portion 20 or a side portion 18 of the bottom part 2 to a side portion 19 or a bottom portion 9 of the top part 5. The intermediate part 17 may be hollow such that gas can travel from the bottom part 2 to the top part 5 therethrough.

[0049] Gases dispensed can be at gaseous or liquid phasis. The gas in question may be a fuel gas meaning hydrogen, LNG, CNG or LPG. Since these gases are lighter than air, they will travel upwardly through the parts of the fuel dispenser 1 and eventually end up in the gas collecting house 8. Other fuels could also be possible such as gasoline.

[0050] In Fig. 2, a cross-sectional view of the exemplary fuel dispenser 1 is illustrated. In Fig. 3, a perspective view of the top part 5 of the fuel dispenser 1 is illustrated. With reference to Figs 2 and 3, it is in more detailed illustrated how the different part and portions of the fuel dispenser 1 is connected and communicated with each other. For example, the hollow portion 14 in the columns 6, 7, respectively, is shown, as well as the opening 11 in the top portion 20 of the bottom part 2 and the opening 12 in the bottom portion 9 of the top part 5.

[0051] The fuel dispenser 1 is arranged to release fuel in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor 10 is arranged such that a safety test of the at least one gas sensor 10 may be provided. The safety test may be provided in that the fuel dispenser 1 releases gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor 10 is arranged and if the at least one gas sensor 10 detects the released gas, it can be verified that the at least one gas sensor 10 works as expected. The fuel dispenser 1 may be adapted to release a small amount of gas, i.e. a quantity sufficient to check the at least one gas sensor, in the specific area. The fuel gas may be released from the fuel tank to the specific area. Naturally, other possibilities are also possible.

[0052] As depicted in Fig. 2, the fuel dispenser 1 comprises at least one gas sensor 10 arranged in the gas collecting housing 8 of the top part 5. The gas sensor 10 is adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing 8. It should however be noted that the gas sensor 10 may be arranged in any specific area of the fuel dispenser 1 in which gas may be able to be released and where any leakage may occur. The gas sensor 10 may be adapted to detect gas in the specific area where the gas sensor 10 is arranged.

[0053] The fuel dispenser 1 may further comprise at least one supply line 26 crossing the column 6, 7 from the dispensing unit 3 to the top part 5 and a connector 22 provided at the top part 5. The connector 22 is connected to the supply line 26 and linked to the nozzle 4 through a flexible hose 21. The supply line 26 is arranged to supply fuel from the dispensing unit 3 to the vehicle via the flexible hose 26 and the nozzle 4. The fuel dispenser 1 comprises a filling valve 23 arranged in the supply line 26. The filling valve 23 is arranged to control the supply of fuel to the vehicle. The supply line 26 is also equipped with a temperature transmitter 24 and a pressure transmitter 25 to measure parameters of the fuel supplied to the vehicle.

[0054] The fuel dispenser 1 may further comprise at least one ventilation line 27 arranged to neutralize pressure in the supply line 26 and in the flexible hose 21. This may be provided once a refuelling process has been completed, i.e. after fuel has been supplied to the vehicle via the nozzle 4. The ventilation line 27 comprises a first valve 28. The first valve 28 is arranged to be open during ventilation and / or recirculation of fuel from the hose 21 and nozzle 4 such that the pressure is neutralized. The first valve 28 may be further arranged to ventilate the gas in the gas collecting housing 8, in vicinity to the gas sensor 10. In this case, the ventilated gas may be used to verify the functionality of the gas sensor 10, i.e. to verify if the gas sensor 10 works as expected. Thus, if gas is released intentionally in the gas collecting area 8 and the gas sensor 10 detects the gas, it can be verified that the gas sensor 10 works as expected. As said, this may be conducted at the end of the refuelling process at the fuel dispenser 1. This is preferably be conducted just before ventilation of the specific area, in this case the gas collecting housing 8.

[0055] If the ventilation line 27 comprises the first sensor 28 and the check of the gas sensor 10 should be performed, the first valve 28 may have to be open for a given time such that a given volume of gas is released.

[0056] The ventilation line 27 may further comprise a second valve 29. In this case, the first valve 28 is arranged to be open during ventilation and / or recirculation of fuel from the hose 21 and nozzle 4 as indicated above. The second valve 29 is arranged to be open when the first valve 28 is closed to release the ventilated and / or recirculated gas such that the functionality of the gas sensor 10 may be verified.

[0057] If both valves 28, 29 are closed, there may be a volume of gas provided between the two valves 28, 29. This volume between the valves 28, 29 and the maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) may determine a maximum amount of gas to be released at a certain temperature.

[0058] Fig. 3 illustrates the top part 5 of the fuel dispenser 1 in more detail. The gas sensor 10 is arranged in the upper portion of the top part 5 inside the gas collecting housing 8. Other solutions could also be possible but the gas sensor 10 must be arranged in an area of the fuel dispenser 1 in which gas may have to be detected as well as in which the fuel dispenser 1 is able to release the gas.

[0059] A control unit 30 which is arranged in the fuel dispenser 1 is connected to the fuel dispenser 1 and arranged to command the fuel dispenser 1 to release the gas in the specific area where the gas sensor 10 is arranged. The control unit 30 is arranged to command the fuel dispenser 1 to release the gas at a given time or in accordance with a given time interval.

[0060] 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.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fuel dispenser (1) for dispensing fuel to a vehicle, comprising: a bottom part (2) adapted to be placed on ground and comprising a dispensing unit (3) connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle (4) intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, a top part (5) arranged above the bottom part (2), at least one intermediate part (17) connecting the bottom part (2) and the top part (5), and at least one gas sensor (10) arranged in a specific area of the fuel dispenser (1) which is adapted to detect gas present in that specific area, characterized in that the fuel dispenser (100) is arranged to release gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor (10) is arranged.

2. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit (30) connected to the fuel dispenser (1) and arranged to command the fuel dispenser (1) to release the gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor (10) is arranged at a given time or in accordance with a given time interval.

3. The fuel dispenser according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fuel dispenser (1) is arranged to release a small amount of gas in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor (10) is arranged.

4. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas is released from the fuel tank.

5. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gas is released from the nozzle (4) when fuel has been supplied to the vehicle via the nozzle (4).

6. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the specific area is a ventilated area, which is ventilated by means of a ventilation line (27).

7. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 6, further comprising a first valve (28) arranged in the ventilation line (27) of the fuel dispenser (1).

8. The fuel dispenser (1) according to claim 7, further comprising a second valve (29) arranged in the ventilation line (27) of the fuel dispenser (1).

9. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top part (5) comprises a gas collecting housing (8), and wherein the specific area is the gas collecting housing (8).

10. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fuel is hydrogen, and the at least one gas sensor (10) is a hydrogen sensor.

11. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel is gasoline.

12. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel is Liquefied Natural Gas, LNG.

13. The fuel dispenser (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the fuel is Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.

14. A method for conducting a safety test of a fuel dispenser (1), the fuel dispenser (1) comprising: a bottom part (2) adapted to be placed on ground and comprising a dispensing unit (3) connected to a fuel tank and to at least a nozzle (4) intended to supply fuel to the vehicle, a top part (5) arranged above the bottom part (2), at least one intermediate part (17) connecting the bottom part (2) and the top part (5), andat least one gas sensor (10) arranged in a specific area of the fuel dispenser which is adapted to detect fuel present in the specific area, wherein the method comprises the steps of: releasing the fuel in the specific area where the at least one gas sensor (10) is arranged, and determining if the at least one gas sensor (10) detects the released fuel to verify if the at least one gas sensor (10) is working as expected.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of releasing the fuel in the specific area is conducted at the end of a refuelling process at the fuel dispenser (1).

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the step of releasing the fuel in the specific area is conducted just before ventilation of the specific area.

Images