Fuel Additive Injection Assembly for Precision Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensing systems lack an efficient method to accurately and automatically inject fuel additives into fuel storage tanks during fuel delivery, often requiring manual mixing at central depots and lacking precision in additive distribution based on real-time fuel delivery quantities.
Innovation Solution
A fuel dispensing system with a fuel additive injection assembly that includes an additive reservoir, controller, valve, and meter, which determines the appropriate additive quantity based on real-time fuel delivery data from a tank monitor, allowing for precise and incremental addition of fuel additives directly into the fuel tank or delivery nozzle during fuel delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual mixing of additives at central depots is used, then the process is simple to operate, but the precision of additive distribution based on real-time fuel delivery quantities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing fuel delivery process to automatically trigger and control additive injection. The fuel delivery metering system itself provides the control signal that activates the additive injection, eliminating the need for separate manual intervention or complex external control systems. The additive injection is self-regulated based on the fuel flow being measured by the existing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive injection system is integrated with the existing fuel delivery infrastructure. The control system combines fuel delivery metering data with additive injection control, merging two previously separate processes (fuel delivery and additive injection) into a unified automated system that uses the fuel delivery process itself to control additive dosing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-mixed additives are used at central depots, then the logistics are simplified, but the ability to adjust additive quantity based on real-time fuel delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares the additive injection mechanism in advance by positioning the additive container and ensuring the injection system is ready and primed. The controller is pre-programmed with the appropriate additive-to-fuel ratios, so when fuel delivery begins, the system can immediately start injecting additives at the correct rate without requiring real-time calculation or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors fuel delivery quantity through the existing metering infrastructure and uses this feedback to automatically adjust and control the additive injection rate. The controller receives real-time data on fuel volume being delivered and dynamically regulates additive flow to maintain the precise desired concentration, allowing the system to adapt to varying delivery rates and tank sizes.
3Measurement precision
If automated additive injection during fuel delivery is implemented, then the precision of additive distribution improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing fuel delivery metering system to provide the control signal for additive injection. Rather than requiring a separate complex control system to measure fuel flow and calculate additive requirements, the system leverages the already-present fuel metering infrastructure to automatically trigger and regulate additive dosing, making the control mechanism self-regulating.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves multiple functions: it monitors fuel delivery quantity, determines when additive injection should occur, calculates the appropriate additive dosage based on fuel volume, and regulates the additive flow rate. By consolidating these multiple control functions into a single multi-functional controller, the system achieves precise additive metering without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel dispensing system for dispensing fuel into a vehicle comprises a stationary fuel tank adapted to contain a quantity of fuel. At least one fuel dispenser is in fluid communication with the fuel tank via piping. A pump is operative to transfer fuel from the fuel tank to the fuel dispenser. A level detector is located in the fuel tank. A tank monitor is in electronic communication with the level detector, the tank monitor being operative to produce information indicative of the quantity of fuel in the fuel tank. The fuel dispensing system further includes a fuel additive injection assembly comprising an additive reservoir configured to contain a quantity of fuel additive. A controller is in electronic communication with the tank monitor to receive information indicating a delivery of fuel into the fuel tank, the controller having a processor and memory operative to execute instructions determining when an additive quantity should be provided. Additive piping defines a flow path extending between the additive reservoir and a discharge location. A valve is situated along the flow path, the valve being in electronic communication with the controller to open so that the fuel additive will flow along the flow path. A meter is also situated along the flow path and is operative to measure a flow of the fuel additive, the meter being in electronic communication with the controller.