Fuel Dispenser Power Distribution System with Remote Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fuel dispensers face challenges in verifying component failures due to power glitches, surges, and other electrical events without costly monitoring equipment, and require efficient power distribution and remote monitoring solutions.
Innovation Solution
A fuel dispenser power distribution system incorporating a power distribution module with processing circuitry that manages AC and DC power, includes an AC to DC converter, and enables secured remote communication for power control and monitoring, using indicators for status display and energy storage to maintain voltage during interruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If costly and complicated monitoring equipment is used to verify component failures, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel dispenser system monitors its own power quality and component status using built-in processing circuitry and sensors, eliminating the need for external costly monitoring equipment. The system self-diagnoses power glitches, surges, and component failures through integrated power quality monitoring circuits that continuously track voltage, current, and power consumption parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where power quality monitoring circuits detect electrical anomalies and feed this information to the control system. The control system then responds by logging events, activating alerts, or adjusting operational parameters to prevent further damage, creating a closed-loop monitoring system without external equipment.
2Reliability
If multiple DC peripheral components are continuously powered, then reliability is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power distribution system dynamically adjusts power delivery to DC peripheral components based on real-time operational needs. The control system monitors which peripherals are actively being used and selectively powers only those components, while placing idle peripherals in low-power or standby modes. This dynamic power management maintains system reliability by ensuring critical components remain powered while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic power cycling or sleep modes for non-critical DC peripherals, activating them only when needed for specific operations. The control system schedules power delivery to peripherals based on anticipated usage patterns, keeping them in low-power states during idle periods and fully operational during active periods, thus balancing reliability with energy efficiency.
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 system provides real-time and historical power quality monitoring, staged power control for rebooting and disabling peripherals, and remote monitoring capabilities, enhancing reliability and reducing maintenance costs by allowing remote power management and efficient energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
an alternating current to direct current power converter configured to convert a portion of the alternating current power to direct current power for one or more direct current peripheral components
Implementation Method 2
an energy storage circuit configured to maintain the direct current in a predetermined voltage range, such as during an interruption of the alternating current power
Data Source
AI summary
A fuel dispenser includes a power distribution system having an alternating current (AC) power supply and an AC to direct current (DC) power converter configured to convert a portion of the AC power to DC power for one or more DC peripheral components associated with the fuel dispenser. The power distribution system also includes processing circuitry configured to power down at least one of the DC peripheral components in response to an actuator, cause an indicator to be activated indicating that the DC peripheral components are de-energized and the AC power supply is active, power up the at least one direct current peripheral component in response to the actuator when the direct current peripherals are de-energized, and cause the indicator to be activated to indicate that both the DC peripheral components and the AC power supply are active.