Abstract:
A fluid delivery apparatus having a mobile storage container ( 10 ) having at least two compartments, for use in transporting at least two fluids from main storage tanks to subsidiary storage tanks ( 17, 18, 19 ). The apparatus having at least two fluid flow paths, for connection to at least two different fluid flow ports ( 20, 21 , and  22 ) the apparatus includes electronic means ( 25 ) to identify the fluid flow paths and the fluid flow ports, to reduce the risk that a fluid flow path will be put into communication with an incompatible fluid flow port.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The invention relates to fluid delivery apparatus. 
   Many different types of fluid delivery apparatus are known. One type consists of a tanker vehicle for use in transporting fluids, for example fuel oil, from a main storage tank to other storage tanks. Frequently one tanker vehicle has to carry a plurality of different fluids for delivery, for example, not only to domestic fuel tanks for use with central heating apparatus, but also to petrol stations for the storage of fuel for motor vehicles. 
   This requires separate storage compartments on the vehicle and also frequently requires apparatus defining separate delivery paths to avoid cross contamination between different fuels. 
   It is very important that the correct delivery path is used for the correct fuel, and furthermore, when connecting the tanker vehicle to a static storage tank, it is very important that the correct piece of apparatus on the tanker vehicle is connected to the matching apparatus on the storage tank. 
   Known devices for use in trying to reduce the risk that components are incorrectly coupled comprise mechanical keys, such as that disclosed in GB 2215439A. We have now devised a much more effective and versatile solution to the problem. 
   SUMMARY 
   The invention provides fluid delivery apparatus comprising a mobile storage container having at least two compartments, for use in transporting at least two fluids from main storage tanks to subsidiary storage tanks at other locations, the apparatus having means defining at least two fluid flow paths, for connection to at least two different fluid flow ports, the apparatus including electronic means to identify uniquely the fluid flow paths and the fluid flow ports, to reduce the risk that a fluid flow path will be put into communication with an incompatible fluid flow port. 
   The electronic means may comprise radio frequency tags arranged to provide a unique code when interrogated by a hand held control unit. 
   Alternatively, the electronic means may comprise bar codes arranged to be read by means of a hand held scanner. 
   The hand held control means may be arranged to provide an operator with an authorisation signal when the electronic means indicates that apparatus has been correctly coupled. 
   Alternatively, an authorisation signal may be used automatically to commence flow of fluid through the apparatus. 
   Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic illustration of a first embodiment of invention according to the invention illustrating a tanker vehicle and three static tanks; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates fluid flow paths and fluid flow ports of the apparatus, with associated coding; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates identification components of the apparatus; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates alternative identification components; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates yet further identification components of the apparatus; and 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative embodiment of apparatus according to the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  comprises a tanker vehicle  10  within which there are storage compartments for six different liquids, for example fuel oils of various sorts. Each compartment has its own fluid flow port  11  to  16 , through which fluid can be loaded into the appropriate compartment and removed therefrom. 
   The compartments are filled at main storage depots and the vehicle then transports the fluids to subsidiary fluid tanks, for example domestic fuel tanks for containing central heating oil and petrol station tanks for delivery to motor vehicles. 
   Three such subsidiary tanks  17 ,  18  and  19  are shown in  FIG. 1 , although it will be appreciated that in practice these tanks may be positioned at different, spaced apart locations. 
   The vehicle  10  is provided with delivery hoses for connecting the ports  11  to  16  with ports  20 ,  21  and  22  associated with the subsidiary tanks  17 ,  18  and  19 . Two such hoses are shown at  23  and  24  and each hose has its own fluid delivery ports  23   a ,  23   b ,  24   a ,  24   b.    
   The valve and other arrangements for coupling the various components together, so that fluid can flow from the main storage tanks to the vehicle, and subsequently flow from the vehicle to subsidiary storage tanks, are conventional. However each port is fitted with a unique identification tag  25 . 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the tags comprise radio frequency tags (hereinafter referred to as RF tags). An operator, usually the tanker driver  26  is provided with a hand held controller comprising a probe  27  and a decoder  28 . 
   The vehicle cab  29  is provided with information storage means  30 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates one of the truck ports  11  which is to be connected to the inlet port  20  of storage tank  17 . There is also shown a section of hose  31  carried by the vehicle and the section of hose  32  associated with the subsidiary tank location. 
   The vehicle compartment associated with port  11  contains diesel fuel and it is important, to avoid contamination, for this diesel fuel to be delivered through the correct hoses to the correct port  20 . 
   The tag  25  of the port  11  comprises a radio frequency tag which, when interrogated by the probe  27 , exhibits a code ABC say. Each end of the hose  31  exhibits a code  456 . Each end of the hose  32  exhibits a code  123 . The port  20  exhibits a code reading DIESEL. 
   Thus, if all the components are correctly coupled, a code will be generated reading ABC  456   456   123   123  DIESEL. 
   In a basic version of the invention, the hand held controller will provide the operator  26  with a signal confirming that the components have been correctly coupled, and he will then open the necessary valves. 
   A more sophisticated version is also possible, in which a signal, for example from the hand held unit, will be passed to the information storage unit  30  in the cab  29 , and this will automatically open the valves.  FIG. 3  shows one example of this in which the unit  30  includes a reader  33  connected by wiring  34  to electrical controls for the valve. The reader can be actuated by placing the hand held unit  27 ,  28  adjacent to the truck cab. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates an arrangement in which the reader  33  has a separately located read/write tag  35  and the hand held reader has a decoder  28  with a probe having double read heads  36 ,  37 . 
   Providing double read heads makes it possible to automatically read the codes of two adjacent components at the same time. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates yet another arrangement in which the probe  27 , in order to operate and read adjacent tags, has a head  38  which must fit over adjacent clamps  39  bearing the tags. This ensures that the hoses must have been connected. 
   A similar result could be achieved by ensuring that when a single probe is used to scan two tags which should be adjacent, the two codes must be read within a predetermined time interval. In other words a longer delay between the reading of two codes will be an indication that the two components have not been properly connected as they are not sufficiently closely adjacent, and so a positive signal to the operator or to the automatic apparatus will not be generated. 
   Although the embodiment described above makes use of RF tags, other electronic arrangements are possible, such as that shown in  FIG. 6 , which utilises bar code tags  40  and a hand held apparatus  41  having a wand  42  for scanning the bar codes. 
   The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. 
   All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
   Each feature disclosed In this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
   The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.