Fuel Dispensing Unit Additive Injection Suction Side

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fuel dispensing units face safety risks due to the high volatility of fuels and additives, with new regulations prohibiting the pressurization of additives in concentrated form to prevent explosions.

Innovation Solution

The fuel dispensing unit connects the additive conduit to the suction side of the pump, mixing additives with fuel before pressurization, eliminating the need for an additional pump and motor, and incorporating a control system to ensure adequate additive distribution during refueling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the additive is pressurized in concentrated form, then the additive can be delivered to the fuel dispensing unit, but the risk of explosion increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive deliveryVSAvoidexplosion risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pressurizing the additive in concentrated form and then mixing it with fuel, the invention inverts the sequence by connecting the additive conduit to the suction side of the pump, allowing the additive to be drawn into the fuel stream before pressurization occurs. This reversal eliminates the hazard of pressurized concentrated additive while maintaining delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel acts as an intermediary medium that carries the additive from the additive tank to the dispensing point. By introducing the additive into the fuel stream at the suction side, the fuel serves as a carrier that dilutes and transports the additive in a safe manner, avoiding the need to pressurize concentrated additive separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If an additional pump and motor are installed to pump the additive, then the additive can be pressurized and delivered, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive deliveryVSAvoidpump and motor system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive delivery function is merged with the existing fuel pumping system. The additive conduit connects to the suction side of the fuel pump, allowing the same pump to handle both fuel and additive in sequence. This eliminates the need for a separate additive pump and motor, reducing device complexity while maintaining additive delivery capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The fuel pump is made multi-functional by enabling it to handle both fuel and additive. The pump serves its primary function of delivering fuel while also performing the additional function of drawing additive from the additive tank through the additive conduit, eliminating the need for dedicated additive pumping equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the additive conduit is connected to the suction side of the pump, then the explosion risk is eliminated, but the additive mixing control becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosion riskVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A control system with feedback mechanisms is implemented to monitor and regulate additive delivery. Flow meters measure the fuel flow rate, and the control unit adjusts the additive flow accordingly to maintain proper mixing ratios. This feedback control ensures consistent additive distribution despite the challenges of suction-side injection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as additive flow rate and timing based on fuel flow conditions. By changing these parameters in response to real-time measurements, the system maintains optimal additive-fuel mixing ratios while operating from the suction side of the pump.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration reduces the risk of explosion and simplifies the system by eliminating the need for an additional pump and motor, while ensuring consistent additive distribution through a control valve and flow meters.

Implementation Method 1

a pump arranged on the fuel conduit, the pump having a suction side and a pressure side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

the additive enters the fuel conduit at the suction side of the pump, it is no longer pressurized in concentrated form. In other words, the additive is mixed into the fuel present in the fuel conduit before being pressurized

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Data Source

PatentEP3747829B1Additive explosion risk
Publication Date: 2021.10.13 WAYNE FUELING SYST SWEDEN AB
  • EP3747829B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3747829B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a fuel dispensing unit (1) for refueling vehicles. The fuel dispensing unit (1) comprises an underground tank for holding fuel, a fuel conduit (15) for transporting the fuel, the fuel conduit (15) extending between the underground tank (7) and a hose connection (11), a pump (8) arranged on the fuel conduit (13), the pump (8) having a suction side (S) and a pressure side (P), an additive tank (14) for holding additive, and an additive conduit (15) for transporting the additive, the additive conduit (15) extending between the additive tank (14) and the fuel conduit (13). The invention also relates to a method for handling a fuel dispensing unit (1).