Automatic control valve lift

Abstract

The invention relates to a control valve (1) for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in a fluid meter (2). The control valve (1) comprises a hole (3) formed in the center thereof adapted to receive a crankshaft (18) of the fluid meter (2) for slidable arrangement thereto, a resilient pin element (5) which is adapted to be connected to the crankshaft (18) of the fluid meter (2), and a groove section (6). The invention also relates to a fluid meter (2) and a fuel dispenser.

Description

[0001] AUTOMATIC CONTROL VALVE LIFT

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a control valve for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in a fluid meter, a fluid meter, and a fuel dispenser for refuelling a vehicle.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Fluid meters are widely used for most kinds of fluids in different application areas. Fluid meters are for example used in fuel dispensing pumps for retail sale of motor fuel, providing a means for measuring the quantity dispensed from the pump. The measured volume is typically communicated to a register, displaying the dispensed volume and the price.

[0006] A fluid meter commonly used for fuel dispensers is shown by Ainsworth, US 2,756,726. In this disclosure a meter having a multiple piston hydraulic motor is used. Fluid is allowed to enter cylinders and cause reciprocation of the pistons. The pistons are connected to a shaft, that will rotate as an effect of the reciprocation. A control valve, coupled to the shaft, admits liquid to the cylinders or permits flow to the outlet connections, in proper timed relation. The fluid meter utilizes what may be termed "hypothetical" cylinders, mechanically and hydraulically cooperating with the cylinders and pistons which are structurally existent.

[0007] This is accomplished by arranging the ports and the control valve so as to sequentially admit fluid to both the crankcase and the ends of the cylinders at the same time as fluid is withdrawn from the cylinders. The fluid volume admitted to, or withdrawn from, the crankcase is the algebraic sum of the volume withdrawn from, or admitted to, the cylinders. Two pistons, actuated through the valve mechanism, advantageously 120 degrees out of phase, thus perform the work equivalent of three pistons. This reduces the actual number of cylinders required for a given capacity, reduces internal friction and pulsation, and achieve smoother operation. The two pistons are attached via connecting rods to a crankshaft with a radially offset crank pin. The crank pin engages a yoke in each connecting rod so that the reciprocating movement of the two pistons is transformed into a rotary motion of the crankcase in accordance with the Scotch Yoke type principle. To accomplish the phase differences between the pistons, the two physical cylinders are oriented with an angle of 120 degrees between their respective centre axis.

[0008] A problem that has come into existence with conventional fluid meters, arranged in fuel dispensers is that, primarily when used for bio-diesel, the rotating control valve therein has a tendency of adhere against the underlying flat surface in relation to which the control valve is rotated. Especially, if the fuel dispenser is not used for a longer period of time, such as during night time.

[0009] Summary on the invention

[0010] 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.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a control valve for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in a fluid meter. The control valve comprises a hole formed in the center thereof adapted to receive a crankshaft of the fluid meter for slidable arrangement thereto, a resilient pin element which is adapted to be connected to the crankshaft of the fluid meter, and a groove section. The pin element is arranged in the groove section for rotation of the control valve with the crankshaft. The control valve is characterized in that the groove section in the control valve comprises at least a first radially extending groove portion having an inclined side surface, such that the control valve is axially displaced along the crankshaft upon engagement with the pin element when in a resilient state.

[0012] As described above, the control valve has a tendency of adhere against the underlying flat surface - called slide face - fixedly arranged in the fluid meter. Thus, the control valve will be prevented to rotate in relation to the slide face which will cause the fluid pressure inside the fluid meter to increase. At a certain pressure, the resilient pin element will start to bend against the inclined side of the radially extending groove portion, causing the control valve to lift, in an axial direction along the crankshaft, from the underlaying slide face so that it once against will be able to rotate in relation thereto.

[0013] This is advantageous in that the strain on the components of the fluid meter due to high fluid pressure therein will be decreased. The first groove portion may extend radially from a mid-section of the control valve towards the periphery thereof in a first direction.

[0014] The groove section in the control valve may comprise a second radially extending groove portion having an inclined side surface, the second groove portion extending radially from a mid-section of the control valve towards the periphery thereof in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction.

[0015] The groove section may further comprise a third radially extending groove portion aligned with the first groove portion and the second groove portion and arranged in the proximity of the periphery of the control valve.

[0016] The third groove portion may have an inclined side surface.

[0017] The control valve may further comprise an arcuate inlet port and an arcuate outlet port axially and radially aligned.

[0018] The inclined side surface of the first groove portion may form an angle with an imaginary axial plane through the control valve.

[0019] The inclined side surface of the second groove portion may form an angle with an imaginary axial plane through the control valve.

[0020] According to a second aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a fluid meter. The fluid meter comprises a housing defining at least one crankcase and two axially-aligned cylinders, a crankshaft disposed in the crankcase, a resilient pin element perpendicularly connected to the crankshaft, a control valve for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in the fluid meter, the control valve being slidably arranged to the crankshaft and comprising a groove section which is adapted to receive the pin element for rotation with the crankshaft, two pistons respectively mounted in the cylinders for reciprocal movement, a first connecting rod connected to one of the pistons and to the crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft in response to the movement of the one piston, and a second connecting rod connected to the other piston and to the crankshaft for rotating the crankshaft in response to the movement of the other piston. The connecting rods are connected to the crankshaft by one common crank pin that is radially offset from the crankshaft. The fluid meter is characterised in that the groove section in the control valve comprises at least a first radially extending groove portion having an inclined side surface, such that the control valve is axially displaced along the crankshaft upon engagement with the pin element when in a resilient state.

[0021] The first and second connecting rods may have yoke slots for receiving a crank pin, and the connecting rods are connected to the crankshaft by one common crank pin that is radially offset from the crankshaft.

[0022] The ports may be defined in the housing in communication with the cylinders and the crankcase, and wherein the control valve has a plurality of ports for sequentially registering with the ports of the housing for distributing fluid into and out from the cylinders and the crankcase to control the movement of the pistons.

[0023] The fluid meter may further comprise a wheel coupled to the crankshaft and having at least one magnetic pole, and at least one sensor to detect the influence of the at least one magnetic pole and to generate a signal corresponding to the flow of the fluid into and from the corresponding cylinders and the crankcase.

[0024] The fluid meter may comprise four cylinders with a 90 degree displacement in relation to each other, each cylinder being provided with a piston.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a fuel dispenser for refuelling a vehicle. The fuel dispenser comprises a fluid meter according to the features described below.

[0026] Effects and features of the second aspect and third 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.

[0027] 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.

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

[0029] Brief of the

[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. 1A is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a control valve without the resilient pin element according to a first aspect of the invention.

[0032] Fig. IB is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the control valve with the resilient pin element according to the first aspect of the invention.

[0033] Fig. 1C is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of the control valve when attached to a crankshaft of a fluid meter for slidable arrangement thereto.

[0034] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a multiple fluid meter assembly including two fluid meters according to a second aspect of the invention.

[0035] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of one exemplary embodiment of the fluid meter illustrating some primary inner components thereof.

[0036] Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the control valve during normal use.

[0037] Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the control valve when axially displaced along the crankshaft upon engagement with the pin element in a resilient state.

[0038] Fig. 4C is a perspective view of the control valve when back in normal use.

[0039] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0040] Fig. 1A illustrates a control valve 1 for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in a fluid meter 2 according to one exemplary embodiment. The control valve 1 has a hole 3 formed in the center thereof adapted to receive a crankshaft 18 of the fluid meter 2 for slidable arrangement thereto and a groove section 6.

[0041] As illustrated in Fig IB, control valve 2 has a resilient pin element 5 which is adapted to be connected to the crankshaft 18 of the fluid meter 2. The pin element 5 is arranged in the groove section 6 for rotation of the control valve 1 together with the crankshaft 18. This will be described in greater detail with reference to Fig. 4A to 4B.

[0042] In this specific embodiment, the groove section 6 in the control valve 1 comprises first groove portion 7 which extends radially from a mid-section of the control valve 1 towards the periphery thereof in a first direction DI and has an inclined side surface 8, and a second groove portion 9 which extends radially from a mid-section of the control valve 1 towards the periphery thereof in a second direction D2 and has an inclined side surface 10. The second direction D2 is opposite to the first direction D2.

[0043] The groove section 6 further has a third radially extending groove portion 33, aligned with the first groove portion 7 and the second groove portion 9, which is arranged in the proximity of the periphery of the control valve 1. In this specific embodiment, the third groove portion 33 does not have an inclined side surface. Instead, the pin element 5 is received and fixed therein. As an alternative, in a different embodiment, the third groove portion 33 could have an inclined side surface and the pin element 5 could merely be provided in the third groove portion 33 without being fixed thereto.

[0044] The inclined side surface 8 of the first groove portion 7 forms an angle with an imaginary axial plane through the control valve 1, and the second groove portion 9 forms an angle with an imaginary axial plane through the control valve 1.

[0045] The control valve 1 further comprises an arcuate inlet port 11 and an arcuate outlet port 12 axially and radially aligned.

[0046] In Fig. 1C, the control valve 1 is illustrated when actually mounted to the crankshaft 18 of the fluid meter 2 for slidable arrangement thereto.

[0047] Fig. 2 illustrates a multiple fluid meter assembly 13 including two separete fluid meters 2 connected to each other.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 3, each separate fluid meter 2, has a housing 14 defining at least one crankcase 15 and two axially-aligned cylinders 16, 17, a crankshaft 18 disposed in the crankcase 15, and two pistons 19, 20 respectively mounted in the cylinders 16, 17 for reciprocal movement.

[0049] A first connecting rod 21 is connected to one of the pistons 19 and to the crankshaft 18 for rotating the crankshaft 18 in response to the movement of the one piston 19, and a second connecting rod 22 is connected to the other piston 20 and to the crankshaft 18 for rotating the crankshaft 18 in response to the movement of the other piston 20.

[0050] The resilient pin element 5 is perpendicularly connected to the crankshaft 18 (see Fig. 1C), and the control valve 1 for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in the fluid meter 2 is slidably arranged to the crankshaft 18.

[0051] The first and second connecting rods 21, 22 have yoke slots 24, 25 for receiving a crank pin 26, and the connecting rods 21, 22 are connected to the crankshaft 18 by the crank pin 26 which is radially offset from the crankshaft 18 (see Fig. 1C).

[0052] Referring again to Fig. 3, as stated above, the flow meter 1 includes a first and a second piston 19, 20 disposed in the cylinders 16, 17, respectively. The first and second connecting rods 21, 22 drivingly connect the respective pistons 19, 20 to respective first and second roller bearings 30, 31. The connecting rods 21, 22 are hence connected to the crankshaft 18 via the roller bearings 30, 31. The first and second connecting rods 21, 22 are in this particular embodiment formed from metal sheet with yokes portions, which are punched to provide first and second oblong slotted yokes 24, 25 for slidingly engaging the respective first and second roller bearings 30, 31.

[0053] To perform a reciprocating movement of the pistons 19, 20, there is a first crank arm 32 connected to the first roller bearing 30, and a second crank arm 34 connected to the second roller bearing 31. The first crank arm 32 is connected to the second crank arm 34 via the crank pin 26. The roller bearings 30, 31 are then arranged in connection with the oblong yokes slots 24, 25 in the fluid meter 2. This arrangement will invoke a reciprocating movement of the pistons 60° out of phase.

[0054] Ports (not shown) are defined in the housing 14 in communication with the cylinders 16, 17 and the crankcase 15. In turn, the control valve 2 has a plurality of ports 11, 12 for sequentially registering with the ports of the housing 14 for distributing fluid into and out from the cylinders 16, 17 and the crankcase 15 to control the movement of the pistons 19, 20.

[0055] The fluid meter 2 further comprises a wheel 27 coupled to the crankshaft 18 and has a magnetic pole, and at least one sensor (not shown) to detect the influence of the magnetic pole and to generate a signal corresponding to the flow of the fluid into and from the corresponding cylinders 16, 17 and the crankcase 15.

[0056] Fig. 4A to 4C illustrate different phases of the control valve 1 during use in the fluid meter 2. In Fig. 4A, the control valve 1 is illustrated during normal use. The control valve 1 is connected to the crankshaft 18 of the fluid meter 2 by means of the resilient pin element 5. The pin element 5 is arranged in the groove section 6 of the control valve 1 for rotation of the control valve 1 with the crankshaft 18. Accordingly, the control valve 1 will rotate with the crankshaft 18 in relation to a slide face 29 fixedly arranged in the fluid meter 2. During this stage, the control valve 1 will control the admission and discharge of a fluid into and out of the ports defined in the housing 14. More specifically, the inlet port 11 and the outlet port 12 of the control valve 1 are axially and radially aligned to alternately register with the ports of the housing 14 when the control valve 1 is rotated via the crankshaft 18.

[0057] A problem that has come into existence with conventional fluid meters arranged in fuel dispensers is that, primarily when used for bio-diesel, the rotating control valve 2 therein has a tendency of adhere against the underlying slide face 29 in relation to which the control valve 1 is rotated. Especially, if the fuel dispenser is not used for a longer period of time, such as during night time. Since the control valve 1 now is prevented from rotating in relation to the slide face 29, the fluid pressure inside the fluid meter 2 will increase. The pressure applied onto the resilient pin element 5 will naturally also increase causing the pin element 5 to bend and thereby engage with the inclined side surfaces 8, 10 of the radially extending groove portions 7, 9. In turn, the control valve will be pushed in an axial direction A along the crankshaft 18 and released from the slide face 29 so that it once against will be able to rotate in relation thereto (see Fig 4B).

[0058] Fig. 4C illustrates the control valve 1 when back in normal use.

[0059] To more fully illustrate the operation of the flow meter 2, it will be assumed that, initially, the flow meter 2 is filled with fluid, the crankshaft 18 is rotated to place the first piston 19 in as close proximity to a head cover as possible (i.e., a "top dead centre" position), the second piston 20 leads the first piston 19 by a phase angle of 60°, and the control valve ports 11, 12 are related to the ports of the housing 14. Thereafter, a fluid, such as bio-diesel from an external source, is supplied through a supply port and passed through a supply chamber, the inlet port 11 of the control valve 2, and through one of the ports in the housing 14.

[0060] The fluid then flows through a passageway and into a crankcase chamber where it applies pressure to displace the second piston 20 outwardly (away from the crankshaft 18). The first piston 19 resists outward movement since it is in a top dead centre position. The outward movement of the second piston 20 expels fluid from a second chamber thereby causing the fluid to pass through a second passageway, the outlet port 12 of the control valve, a discharge chamber, and out through a discharge port to a discharge line (not shown).

[0061] The movement of the second piston 20 also drives the crankshaft 18 via the second connecting rod 22. Accordingly, the crankshaft 18 imparts counter clockwise rotation to the control valve 1 and the inlet port 11 begins to register with one of the ports in the housing 14. Fluid in the supply chamber then begins to flow through the inlet port 11 of the control valve 1 and through one of the ports in the housing 14. The fluid then flows through the first passageway into a first chamber and applies pressure to displace the first piston 19 inwardly (towards the crankshaft 18), thereby effecting further rotation of the crankshaft 18 and the control valve 1. The process continues according the principles described herein. As a result, the pistons 19, 20 reciprocate in the cylinders 16, 17, respectively, thereby rotating the crankshaft 18, the attached control valve 1, and the magnetic wheel 27. Sensors provided detect the consequent fluctuation in the magnetic influence of the magnetic poles on the wheel 27 and generate a pulsed signal which is proportional to the flow rate of the fluid passing through the flow meter 2. Although not clear from the drawings, it is understood that the pulsed signal may be employed to drive an electronic counter and indicator for recording the volume and total value of fluid, such as gasoline, dispensed through the flow meter 2.

[0062] 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 30 with the scope of the invention.

[0063] For instance, the fluid meter could comprise four cylinders with a 90 degree displacement in relation to each other, each cylinder being provided with a piston. In other words, the control valve is applicable in any suitable type of fluid meter available on the market.

[0064] Naturally, the components included in the control valve as well as in the fluid meter can be varier in a vast number of ways while still being within the scope of protection in accordance with the claims. The size and shape of the control valve may be different than what has been described above. The number, size and shape of the groove section and the resilient pin element may be varied.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A control valve (1) for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in a fluid meter (2), the control valve (1) comprising: a hole (3) formed in the center thereof adapted to receive a crankshaft (18) of the fluid meter (2) for slidable arrangement thereto, a resilient pin element (5) which is adapted to be connected to the crankshaft (18) of the fluid meter (2), and a groove section (6), wherein the pin element (5) is arranged in the groove section (6) for rotation of the control valve (1) with the crankshaft (18), characterized in that the groove section (6) in the control valve (1) comprises at least a first radially extending groove portion (7) having an inclined side surface (8), such that the control valve (2) is axially displaced along the crankshaft (18) upon engagement with the pin element (5) when in a resilient state.

2. The control valve (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first groove portion (7) extends radially from a mid-section of the control valve (1) towards the periphery thereof in a first direction (DI).

3. The control valve (1) according to claim 2, wherein the groove section (6) in the control valve (1) comprises a second radially extending groove portion (9) having an inclined side surface (10), the second groove portion (9) extending radially from a mid-section of the control valve (1) towards the periphery thereof in a second direction (D2) which is opposite to the first direction (DI).

4. The control valve (1) according to claim 3, wherein the groove section (6) further comprising a third radially extending groove portion (33) aligned with the first groove portion (7) and the second groove portion (9) and arranged in the proximity of the periphery of the control valve (1).

5. The control valve (1) according to claim 4, wherein the third groove portion (33) has an inclined side surface.

6. The control valve (1) according to anyone of the preceding claims, further comprising an arcuate inlet port (11) and an arcuate outlet port (12) axially and radially aligned.

7. The control (1) valve according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the inclined side surface (8) of the first groove portion (7) forms an angle with an imaginary axial plane through the control valve.

8. The control valve (1) according to claim 3, wherein the inclined side surface (10) of the second groove portion (9) forms an angle with an imaginary axial plane through the control valve 1.

9. A fluid meter (2), comprising: a housing (14) defining at least one crankcase (15) and two axially-aligned cylinders (16, 17), a crankshaft (18) disposed in the crankcase (15), a resilient pin element (5) perpendicularly connected to the crankshaft (18), a control valve (1) for controlling admission and discharge of a fluid in the fluid meter (2), the control valve (1) being slidably arranged to the crankshaft (18) and comprising a groove section (6) which is adapted to receive the pin element (5) for rotation with the crankshaft (18), two pistons (19, 20) respectively mounted in the cylinders for reciprocal movement, a first connecting rod (21) connected to one of the pistons (19) and to the crankshaft (18) for rotating the crankshaft (18) in response to the movement of the one piston (19), and a second connecting rod (22) connected to the other piston (20) and to the crankshaft (18) for rotating the crankshaft (18) in response to the movement of the other piston (20), wherein the connecting rods (21, 22) are connected to the crankshaft (18) by one common crank pin (26) that is radially offset from the crankshaft (18), characterised in that the groove section (6) in the control valve (1) comprises at least a first radially extending groove portion (7) having an inclined side surface(8), such that the control valve (2) is axially displaced along the crankshaft (18) upon engagement with the pin element (5) when in a resilient state.

10. The fluid meter (2) to claim 9, wherein the first and second connecting rods (21, 22) have yoke slots (24, 25) for receiving a crank pin (26), and the connecting rods (21, 22) are connected to the crankshaft (18) by one common crank pin (26) that is radially offset from the crankshaft (18).

11. The fluid meter (2) to claim 9 or 10, wherein ports are defined in the housing (14) in communication with the cylinders (16, 17) and the crankcase (18), and wherein the control valve (1) has a plurality of ports (11, 12) for sequentially registering with the ports of the housing (14) for distributing fluid into and out from the cylinders (16, 17) and the crankcase (18) to control the movement of the pistons (19, 20).

12. The fluid meter (2) to claim 11, further comprising a wheel (27) coupled to the crankshaft (18) and having at least one magnetic pole, and at least one sensor to detect the influence of the at least one magnetic pole and to generate a signal corresponding to the flow of the fluid into and from the corresponding cylinders (16, 17) and the crankcase (18).

13. The fluid meter (2) to any one of the claims 9 to 12, wherein the fluid meter (2) comprises four cylinders with a 90 degree displacement in relation to each other, each cylinder being provided with a piston.

14. A fuel dispenser for refuelling a vehicle, comprising a fluid meter (2) according to any one of the claims 9 to 13.

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