Fuel Dispenser Octane Blending with Residual Volume Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel dispensing systems lack the ability to detect and correct for incorrect octane levels in fuel storage tanks, leading to inaccuracies in fuel blending, especially during small transaction dispensing events, where residual fuel from previous events can affect the octane level of subsequent dispensed fuel.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating first and second sensors connected to the fuel dispenser to sense the octane levels of the fuels and generate control signals to maintain the blended fuel's octane level within a predetermined range, along with flow control valves to adjust the flow rates of the fuels, and a method to determine and compensate for the retained fuel volume in the hose to ensure accurate delivery of the selected octane level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensors are added to detect octane levels in real-time, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of octane levels in component fuels before blending occurs. Sensors in the component fuel lines measure octane levels upfront, allowing the control system to pre-calculate blending ratios needed to achieve the desired final octane level, rather than requiring continuous monitoring and adjustment during blending.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual octane level of the blended fuel and comparing it to the target level. The control system adjusts blending ratios in real-time based on this feedback, ensuring the final product meets specifications even when component fuel qualities vary.
2Manufacturing precision
If real-time octane monitoring and adjustment systems are implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-calculates the required blending ratios based on detected component fuel octane levels and the desired final octane level. This preliminary calculation allows the system to set appropriate flow rates for component fuels before blending begins, reducing the need for complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts blending ratios based on real-time sensor data. When component fuel octane levels deviate from expected values, the control system automatically modifies the blending proportions to compensate, maintaining precision in the final blended fuel octane level.
3Manufacturing precision
If residual fuel volume in hoses is not compensated, then device complexity remains low, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the volume of residual fuel remaining in hoses and dispensing lines from previous transactions. This information is used upfront to calculate compensation adjustments, ensuring that the octane level of the delivered fuel accounts for the contaminating effect of retained fuel.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using physical mechanisms to clear hoses (such as purging systems), the patent replaces the mechanical approach with a computational solution. The system substitutes mechanical clearance with mathematical compensation, calculating the octane level of the total delivered volume including residual fuel to ensure accuracy.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.