Fuel Dispenser Partition Isolates Electronics From Gas Vapors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of designing electronics for hazardous environments, particularly for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) dispensers, limit the widespread adoption of cleaner energy sources due to stringent safety requirements, often necessitating separate and specialized equipment.
Innovation Solution
A fuel dispenser system with a partitioned housing design that separates electrically powered components from hazardous gas vapors, allowing the use of non-specialized, widely available electronics in hazardous environments, enabling the dispensing of multiple fuel types, including CNG, while maintaining safety and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electronics are specially designed to meet hazardous environment requirements (Intrinsically Safe Barriers or Explosion-proof boxes), then safety is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system is divided into separate zones: a first zone for hazardous fuel vapor handling and a second zone for electronics. A physical partition wall separates these zones, allowing standard electronics to be used in the non-hazardous second zone while maintaining safety in the first zone. This segmentation eliminates the need for expensive intrinsically safe barriers and explosion-proof boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
A partition wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the hazardous fuel vapor zone and the electronics zone. This physical barrier prevents hazardous vapors from reaching the electronics while allowing the system to function as an integrated dispenser. The partition wall serves as a simple, effective mediator that provides protection without requiring complex safety systems.
2Reliability
If CNG dispensers are physically separated from other fuel dispensers, then safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system is divided into separate zones: a first zone for hazardous fuel vapor handling and a second zone for electronics. A physical partition wall separates these zones, allowing standard electronics to be used in the non-hazardous second zone while maintaining safety in the first zone. This segmentation eliminates the need for expensive intrinsically safe barriers and explosion-proof boxes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the dispenser system have different safety requirements. The first zone (fuel vapor handling) requires hazardous area protection, while the second zone (electronics) does not. By applying local quality, the system provides safety where needed without over-engineering the entire system, allowing standard electronics to be used in the non-hazardous second zone.
3Reliability
If venting is provided around electronic modules, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A partition wall acts as an intermediary barrier between the hazardous fuel vapor zone and the electronics zone. This physical barrier prevents hazardous vapors from reaching the electronics while allowing the system to function as an integrated dispenser. The partition wall serves as a simple, effective mediator that provides protection without requiring complex safety systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic components are extracted from the hazardous environment and placed in a separate, non-hazardous zone. This extraction eliminates the need for venting around electronic modules, as the electronics are no longer exposed to hazardous vapors. The partition wall enables this extraction while maintaining system integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the safe and cost-effective deployment of standard electronics in hazardous environments, enhancing the efficiency, longevity, and safety of fuel dispensing systems, facilitating the broader adoption of cleaner energy sources by reducing the risk of electrical component-related fires or explosions.
Implementation Method 1
The partition part can be configured and arranged to seal the at least one electrically powered component from exposure to gas vapors emitted from the fuel dispensing unit
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel dispenser system is provided including a partition part to separate a fuel dispensing unit from at least one electrically powered component. The partition part can be configured and arranged to seal the at least one electrically powered component from exposure to gas vapors emitted from the fuel dispensing unit. The fuel dispenser unit can include a fuel dispensing nozzle and a hydraulic component. The system can include additional fuel dispensing units. The fuel dispensing nozzle can be configured to dispense CNG, and the additional fuel dispensing nozzle can be configured to dispense CNG or another type of fuel. The at least one electrically powered component may include a transaction terminal.