Multi-product fuel dispensing apparatus employing a common meter

Abstract: Fuel dispensing apparatus for receiving different grades or types of fuel from a number of fuel sources (1, 2, 3), comprises a plurality of fuel flow control means (101, 102, 103) for isolating respective sources from a common meter (90) and outlet (61, 62, 63), such that the common meter (90) can be used to measure the quantity of different grades or types of fuel dispensed, reducing the number of meters that would otherwise be required.

Description: The present invention relates to forecourt fuel dispensing apparatus typically used for dispensing fuel to motor vehicles, which dispensing apparatus receives fluid from more than one source and which dispenses fluid from one or more outlet. Fuel pumps and fuel dispensers are known in the art. A fuel pump is a unit which is connected to a source of fuel, and which has housed within the unit a pump for extracting fuel from the fuel source, as well as meters for measuring fuel flow and switches and valves for controlling fuel flow. A fuel dispenser, in contrast, is connected to a source of fuel which contains its own pump. As a result, a fuel dispenser does not require that a pump be housed in the unit, and need only contain the appropriate meters, switches and valves for controlling fuel flow. Fuel pumps or dispensers are designed in a variety of different configurations. A common type of fuel pump or dispenser, often called a "lane-oriented" pump or dispenser, contains one or more fuel dispensing nozzles on each side of the unit. A lane-oriented multiproduct fuel dispenser or pump contains two or more fuel dispensing nozzles on each side of the pump. Each of the nozzles on each side of the unit is typically used to dispense a particular grade or octane level of fuel. Each side of the unit generally contains a display for displaying the amount and cost of the fuel dispensed, and can also include credit or debit card verification and cash acceptance mechanisms. An example of a fuel dispenser or fuel pump containing multiple-grade fuel sources and multiple fuel outlets for dispensing from those sources is shown in Figure 1. Fuel sources 1, 2, 3 - which can be in the form of underground or above-ground tanks - are connected to source outlet lines 11, 12 and 13, respectively. Each fuel source 1, 2, 3 typically holds a different grade or octane level of fuel. A fuel pump or fuel dispenser unit 50 is used to dispense fuel from the fuel sources 1, 2, 3. If the unit is a fuel dispenser, pumps 21', 22' and 23' are connected to the source outlet lines 11, 12 and 13 respectively, and are located outside of unit 50. If the unit is a fuel pump, pumps 21'', 22'' and 23'' are connected to the source outlet lines 11, 12 and 13 respectively, and are located within a lower housing 18 of unit 50. The pumps 21', 22', 23' or 21'', 22'', 23'' pump fuel to meters 91, 92 and 93 respectively. Each meter 91, 92, 93 meters fuel flow from one of the fuel sources 1, 2, 3 to nozzles 61, 62, 63, which dispense fuel from the fuel sources 1, 2, 3, respectively. The fuel pump or fuel dispenser can contain an array of nozzles 61, 62, 63 on both sides of the unit 50 to dispense fuel from either side of the unit 50, in which case there will be meters and nozzles on the opposite side identical to those described above. In the device of Figure 1, the nozzles 61, 62, 63 can be housed in boots 71, 72 73, which can contain a put-down switch or lever for initialising the display devices 24, 25, 26 when lifted after the nozzle is removed. The put-down switch or lever is lifted by the operator after the nozzles 61, 62, 63 are removed from the boots 71, 72, 73 and are depressed by the nozzles 61, 62, 63 when they are placed back in boots 71, 72, 73. Nozzles 61, 62, 63 contain actuating levers 81, 82, 83 (in Figure 1 only actuating lever 83 is visible) to manually control the amount of fuel dispensed and rate of dispensing. Unit 50 can contain an upper structure 15, supported on posts 16, 17, to which fuel hoses 51, 52, 53 for nozzles 61, 62, 63 are connected. Connection lines 41, 42, 43 connect the fuel lines in lower housing 18 to the appropriate fuel hose 51, 52, 53. The unit 50 generally contains suitable display devices 24, 25, 26 for displaying the volume and price of fuel dispensed along with other information. The unit 50 also often contains suitable credit or debit card verification and/or cash acceptance modules (not shown). The large number of meters necessary in the prior art device described above greatly increases the costs of manufacturing the unit, increases the required interior volume of the unit, complicates servicing, and creates more potential leakage points for flammable liquid during both operation and servicing, which in turn may result in more extensive testing procedures having to be employed to comply with the appropriate legislation. Legislation may also determine the maximum number of potential fuel leakage points which can be exposed during assembly or servicing of a fuel pump or fuel dispenser unit. In addition, there are regulations governing the amount of variation in octane level that a dispensing nozzle for a particular grade of fuel may have, and governing the amount of fuel that may be purged before this variation is measured, often less than two litres. The present invention provides forecourt fuel dispensing apparatus comprising: a plurality of fuel sources; at least one fuel outlet; and a positive displacement or inferential meter, each of the plurality of fuel sources being in fluid communication with said meter and the at least one fuel outlet being in fluid communication with said meter, said meter measuring the amount of fuel discharged through the at least one fuel outlet; and a plurality of flow control means, said plurality of flow control means respectively controlling the flow of fuel from said plurality of fuel sources to said meter such as to selectively control in dependence on the fuel type it is desired be dispensed from which of said plurality of fuel sources fuel flows through said meter to said at least one fuel outlet. Employing the present invention enables a single meter to measure different types or grades of fuel. This in turn enables fewer meters to be employed, increasing the available space in the interior of the housing for other components. Reducing the number of meters also reduces the number of hydraulic connections and therefore potential leaks, thereby increasing safety during both operation and servicing. This in turn results in less stringent testing procedures. Preferably the apparatus comprises a plurality of pumps, each of the plurality of pumps pumping fuel from one of said plurality of fuel sources. The flow control means may comprise the plurality of pumps, or alternatively a plurality of valves. In either case it is preferable that the apparatus further comprises a controller for controlling the plurality of flow control means such that the meter receives fuel from only one of said plurality of fuel sources at any one time. Where the apparatus comprises a plurality of fuel outlets it preferably comprises a plurality of valves each associated with a respective fuel outlet, the controller controlling the valves such that fuel only flows from one source to one outlet at any one time. This enables different flow paths to be switched through the common meter. Preferably the valves are located closely adjacent the meter to minimise contamination of fuel. Likewise it is preferable that the meter is located closely adjacent said at least one fuel outlet. Each outlet is typically associated with a respective fuel discharge nozzle. Preferably the meter is an inferential meter. Such meters measure fuel flow according to the speed of fuel through the meter and have a much smaller internal volume than that of conventional positive-displacement meters. This smaller internal volume results in less contamination occurring due to the residual quantity of fuel remaining in the meter when the quantities of two different types of fuel are measured in succession. However a positive-displacement meter could be used. Preferably where an inferential meter is employed it is constructed to be self-calibrating or electronically calibrated, for this enables the meter to be remotely located. Preferably the fuel dispensing apparatus comprises a housing unit comprising upper structure, said meter being located in said upper structure. This frees more space in the lower levels of the housing and also allows any fuel contamination resulting from use of a single meter to be minimised by enabling that meter to be located closely adjacent to the fuel outlet nozzle. This is advantageous when different grades are dispensed through a single outlet or nozzle, for contamination will be purged from the outlet after a small volume of fuel flow. As a result the invention can comply with regulations for octane level variation without the need for multiple meters. Several embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 shows a prior art fuel pump or dispenser using multiple meters; Figure 2 shows a fuel pump or dispenser according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a fuel pump or dispenser according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 shows a fuel pump or dispenser according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of each of the embodiments of Figures 2 to 4; Figure 6 shows a fuel pump or dispenser according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 shows a fuel pump or dispenser according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 shows a schematic representation of each of the embodiments of Figures 6 to 7. Referring to Figure 2, there is illustrated a first embodiment of the present invention, in which the single meter 90 is contained in the lower housing 18 of the fuel pump or dispenser unit 50. In the embodiments of Figures 2 to 4, identical structure to the device of Figure 1 is labelled with identical reference numerals, and is not separately described. Located between pumps 21' or 21'', 22' or 22'', 23' or 23'' and meter 90 are meter inlet valves 101, 102, 103. Meter inlet valve 101 controls the flow of fuel from fuel source 1 to meter 90, meter inlet valve 102 controls the flow of fuel from fuel source 2 to meter 90, and meter inlet valve 103 controls the flow of fuel from fuel source 3 to meter 90. Located between meter 90 and connection lines 41, 42, 43 are meter outlet valves 111, 112, 113. Meter outlet valve 111 controls the flow of fuel from meter 90 to connection line 41, meter outlet valve 112 controls the flow of fuel from meter 90 to connection line 42, and meter outlet valve 113 controls the flow of fuel from meter 90 to connection line 43. All of valves 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 are connected to a controlling device 200 (shown in Figure 5), preferably in the form of the microprocessor, which controls the opening and closing of the valves to ensure that fuel flows into the meter from only one source and out of the meter to only one connection line. Furthermore, the controlling device 200 ensures that fuel flows only from a fuel source 1, 2, 3 to its corresponding dispensing nozzle 61, 62, 63. In operation of the device, an operator selects a desired grade of fuel by lifting a nozzle 61, 62, 63 from its boot 71, 72, 73. As shown in Figure 2, the nozzle 63 has been lifted from its boot 73. The operator then lifts a put-down switch or lever, generally located in boot 73, which initializes the pump display and measuring systems. As is known in the art, the operator may initiate credit or debit verification, cash acceptance, or fuel presets before operating the put-down switch or lever. Operation of the put-down switch or lever causes the controlling device 200 to send signals to the valves 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 to open and close the appropriate valves. Thus, operation of the put-down switch or lever in boot 73 sends a signal to the controlling device 200 that fuel from fuel source 3 is to be dispensed out nozzle 63. As a result, the controlling device 200 closes valves 101, 102, 111, 112 and opens valves 103, 113. Activation by the operator of actuating lever 83 commences fuel dispensing from nozzle 63. Fuel is pumped by either pump 23' or 23'' from source 3 through open valve 103, meter 90, open valve 113, connecting line 43, hose 53 and out nozzle 63. Signals from meter 90 resulting from fuel flow through meter 90 are sent to the display devices 24, 25, 26 on unit 50 and also to any known pump control station within the gas station which monitors fuel sales. Once dispensing is finished, nozzle 63 is replaced in boot 73, thereby deactivating the put-down switch or lever in boot 73. If it is desired to dispense a different grade of fuel, the appropriate nozzle 61, 62 is lifted, the appropriate put-down switch or lever is actuated, and the valves, 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 are closed or opened to control the dispensing of the desired grade of fuel. As a result of the above-described operation, only the volume between valves 101, 102, 103 and valves 111, 112, 113 contains a volume of fuel which could contaminate a subsequently-dispensed fuel flow. It is therefore advantageous that valves 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 be located as close as possible to the meter 90, to thereby reduce the volume of possible contaminating fuel contained in a dispensed quantity of fuel. The meter 90, in accordance with the principles of the present invention, monitors the volume of fuel dispensed for each of the sources of fuel 1, 2, 3 and sends signals to the display and monitoring device each time fuel is dispensed, no matter what grade. Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein the meter 90 is located in the upper structure 15. As can be seen in Figure 3, the embodiment of Figure 3 is identical to the embodiment of Figure 2, except that the meter 90 is placed within upper structure 15. Connecting lines 31, 32, 33 connect the fuel lines in the lower housing 18 of unit 50 with the valves 101, 102, 103, and connecting lines 41, 42, 43 connect the valves 111, 112, 113 with the hoses 51, 52, 53. In the embodiment of Figure 3, the valves 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 are also located within upper structure 15 and in close proximity to the meter 90. The embodiment of Figure 3 is particularly advantageous in that it reduces the volume of fuel which is dispensed before the contaminating volume is dispensed - i.e. it places the location of the contaminating fuel closely adjacent to the outlets, nozzles 61, 62, 63. In this way, the contaminating fuel may be purged from the fuel line after only a small volume of fuel has been dispensed. As a result, the embodiment of Figure 3 is advantageous in conforming to regulations for fuel octane variations and the volume that may be purged before such variation is measured. The embodiment of Figure 3 advantageously could use an electronically-calibrated or self-calibrating inferential meter, or any other type of meter which is of small size and weight and which does not require manual calibration. Such a meter is not required to be housed within a large interior volume and does not require easy access for a technician to calibrate. Figure 4 shows an embodiment similar to the embodiment of Figure 2, but which is used in a fuel pump or fuel dispensing unit 50 without an upper structure. In all other respects, the construction of the embodiment of Figure 4 and the embodiment of Figure 2 are the same. The embodiment of Figure 4 retains the same advantages as the embodiment of Figure 3, in that it allows the meter 90 to be located closely adjacent the nozzles 61, 62, 63, thereby allowing the fuel contamination in meter 90 to be purged from the dispensing nozzle 61, 62, 63 after only a small volume of fuel has been dispensed. It is to be understood that Figure 4 is schematic in nature, and that the connections between connection lines 41, 42, 43 and hoses 51, 52, 53 are shown for ease of reference. As in most conventional non-upper-structured fuel dispenser or fuel pump units, the actual connection between connection lines 41, 42, 43 and hoses 51, 52, 53 is accomplished at the bottom of the lower housing 18. Figure 5 is a schematic representation of each of the embodiments of Figures 2 to 4 of the present invention. Fuel from sources 1, 2, 3 is pumped through lines 11, 12, 13 by pumps 21' or 21'', 22' or 22'', 23' or 23'', respectively. Fuel is pumped through connection lines 31, 32, 33 to valves 101, 102, 103. Each valve 101, 102, 103 is connected to an inlet to meter 90. An outlet of meter 90 is connected to valves 111, 112, 113, which in turn are connected to connection lines 41, 42, 43 and hoses 51, 52, 53, respectively. Hoses 51, 52, 53 are connected to nozzles 61, 62, 63 respectively. A controlling device 200, which may be in the form of a microprocessor, sends signals to valves 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 to open and close these valves. The signals to valves 101, 102, 103, 111, 112, 113 are responsive to signals sent to controlling device 200 from put-down switches or levers in boots 71, 72, 73. Controlling device 200 can send signals to meter 90 to calibrate that meter, and receives signals from meter 90 corresponding to an amount of fluid dispensed by a nozzle 61, 62, 63. Controlling device 200 sends signals to display devices 24, 25, 26 corresponding to the amount of fluid dispensed and other information, and can receive signals from a credit or debit verification module or cash acceptance module 201. Each of the embodiments can be used in a lane-oriented multiproduct dispenser. Accordingly, on the opposite side of the fuel pump or dispenser unit would be a second set of dispensing nozzles and hoses. These nozzles or hoses would be connected to another single meter for measuring flow to each of the nozzles. The meter would be connected to each of the fuel sources 1, 2, 3, and a pump would pump fuel to the meter. The structure of the opposite side of the lane-oriented multiproduct dispenser would be identical to that shown in Figures 2, 3 or 4 and would be identical to the schematic representation in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment of Figure 6 is similar to the embodiment of Figure 2, except that a single nozzle 61 and a single hose 51 are used to discharge fuel from each of fuel sources 1, 2, 3. Accordingly, a single connection line 41 leads from meter 90 to the single hose 51. This embodiment does not require the use of valves on the outlet of meter 90; valves 101, 102, 103 control the flow of fuel through the meter 90 and to the nozzle 61. In all other respects, however, the embodiment of Figure 6 is identical to that of the embodiment of Figure 2. Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, which is similar to the embodiment of Figure 3, except that a single nozzle 61 and a single hose 51 are used to discharge fuel from each of fuel sources 1, 2, 3. Accordingly, a single connection line 41 leads from meter 90 to the single hose 51. This embodiment does not require the use of valves on the outlet of meter 90; valves 101, 102, 103 control the flow of fuel through the meter 90 and to the nozzle 61. In all other respects, however, the embodiment of Figure 7 is identical to that of the embodiment of Figure 3. A further embodiment, not illustrated, is also possible, which is similar to the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 - i.e. it uses a single hose and a single nozzle - but is in the fuel dispenser or fuel pump configuration of Figure 4 - i.e. the connection between the single hose and the single connection line is at the lower housing of the unit. The operation of this embodiment would be identical to the operation of the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7. Figure 8 is a schematic representation of each of the embodiments of Figures 6 to 7 of the present invention. Fuel from sources 1, 2, 3 is pumped through lines 11, 12, 13 by pumps 21' or 21'', 22' or 22'', 23' or 23'', respectively. Fuel is pumped through connection lines 31, 32, 33 to valves 101, 102, 103. Each valve 101, 102, 103 is connected to an inlet to meter 90. An outlet of meter 90 is connected to connection line 41 and hose 51. Hose 51 is connected to nozzle 61. A controlling device 200, which may be in the form of a microprocessor, sends signals to valves 101, 102, 103 to open and close these valves. The signals to valves 101, 102, 103 are responsive to signals sent to controlling device 200 from the put-down switch or lever in boot 71 and fuel grade selection buttons or switches 300 on the unit, which are activated by a user to select the grade of fuel which is to be dispensed. Controlling device 200 can send signals to meter 90 to calibrate that meter, and receives signals from meter 90 corresponding to an amount of fluid dispensed by nozzle 61. Controlling device 200 sends signals to display devices 24, 25, 26 corresponding to the amount of fuel dispensed and other information, and can receive signals from a credit or debit verification module or cash acceptance module 201. It is to be understood that many variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, it is not necessary that the meter or meters of the present invention be housed in the pump or dispenser unit, and could be located remote from the unit itself. The present invention is not limited by the particular structures.

Claims: Forecourt fuel dispensing apparatus comprising: a plurality of fuel sources (1, 2, 3); at least one fuel outlet (61, 62, 63); a positive displacement or inferential meter (90), each of the plurality of fuel sources (1, 2, 3) being in fluid communication with said meter (90) and the at least one fuel outlet (61, 62, 63) being in fluid communication with said meter (90), said meter measuring the amount of fuel discharged through the at least one fuel outlet; and a plurality of flow control means (101, 102, 103), said plurality of flow control means respectively controlling the flow of fuel from said plurality of fuel sources (1, 2, 3) to said meter (90) such as to selectively control, in dependence on the fuel type or grade it is desired be dispensed, from which of said plurality of fuel sources (1,2,3) fuel flows through said meter (90) to said at least one fuel outlet (61, 62, 63). Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a plurality of pumps, each of the plurality of pumps pumping fuel from one of said plurality of fuel sources. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the plurality of flow control means comprises the plurality of pumps. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the plurality of flow control means comprises a plurality of valves (101, 102, 103). Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a controller (200) for the plurality of flow control means such that the meter receives fuel from only one of said plurality of fuel sources at any one time. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 comprising a plurality of fuel outlets (61, 62, 63) and a plurality of valves each associated with a respective fuel outlet, the controller controlling the valves such that fuel only flows from one source to one outlet at any one time. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said plurality of fuel flow control means (111, 112, 113) are located closely adjacent said meter (90). Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said meter (90) is located closely adjacent said at least one fuel outlet. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a plurality of fuel outlets, each of said plurality of fuel outlets (61, 62, 63) discharging fluid from only one of said fuel sources (1, 2, 3). Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each outlet is associated with a fuel discharge nozzle. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a housing unit (50), said housing unit comprising an upper structure, said meter being located in said upper structure (15). Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the meter (90) is an inferential meter. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the meter is a positive-displacement meter. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said meter is self-calibrating. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said meter is electronically calibrated. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising: at least one second fuel discharge nozzle; a housing unit, at least one fuel discharge nozzle located on a first side of said housing unit and at least one second fuel discharge nozzle located on a second side of said housing unit; a second meter, each of the plurality of fuel sources being in fluid communication with the second meter and each of the at least one second fuel discharge nozzle being in fluid communication with said second meter, the second meter measuring the amount of fuel discharged through the at least one second fuel discharge nozzle; and a second plurality of valves, said second plurality of valves controlling a flow of fuel from said plurality of fuel sources to said at least one second fuel discharge nozzle.

Inventors: NANAJI SEIFOLLAH SAREMI, NANAJI, SEIFOLLAH SAREMI
Applicants: GILBARCO INC, GILBARCO INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B67D5
IPC codes: B67D7