Abstract:
A fuel dispenser contains a vapor sensor in the non-hazardous electronics chamber. The vapor sensor is operatively connected to a power interlock. When hydrocarbon vapors exceed a predetermined threshold in the electronics chamber, power is decoupled from the electronics in the electronics chamber to prevent explosions. The power interlock may further decouple power from the entire fuel dispenser. The detection of hydrocarbon vapors may also be communicated to another system including a remote location.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to vapor detection associated with a fuel dispenser, and more particularly to vapor detection in the electronics cabinet portion of the fuel dispenser. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Fuel dispensers, whether gasoline, natural gas, propane, or the like, are getting more complex with time. As a result, increasingly complex electronic circuits are required. As with any electrical component, there is always a chance, albeit slim, of sparking from the electronic circuits. Sparks and fuel vapors may cause a hazardous condition, such as an explosion. To address the potential for this problem, most, if not all, fuel dispenser manufacturers separate the interior of the fuel dispenser into two chambers. 
     A first hazardous area chamber comprises fuel-handling devices, such as flow meters, pumps, valves, and the like. Fuel dispenser chambers are required to comply with Class 1, Division 1 rules specifying that the electrical connections must use explosion-proof connections and/or terminal boxes. The National Electric Code Handbook, Section 514, details one set of regulatory requirements that are in place for such devices. 
     A second chamber, typically above the Class 1, Division 1 area, contains the main electronic components of the fuel dispenser, such as payment acceptors, remote communication devices, display circuits, keypad circuitry, and the like. A vapor barrier is frequently positioned between the two chambers to prevent vapor from passing from the fuel-handing hazardous chamber to the electronics chamber. A potted conduit may be used to prevent vapors from contaminating the electronics chamber. Further information about vapor barriers may also be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,445, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Wiring and fuel delivery conduits that extend through the vapor barrier typically have seals therearound to keep the vapor barrier intact. 
     Typical seals comprise potting solutions, rubber seals, and the like, which may deteriorate over time, may be improperly installed, or otherwise fail, allowing for the potential of hydrocarbon vapors to pass into the electronics chamber and potentially increase the risk of sparks igniting the vapor. Thus, the need for additional safety measures to reduce the risk associated with vapor entering the electronics chamber of the fuel dispenser continues. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention addresses these safety concerns by placing a vapor sensor within the electronics chamber of the fuel dispenser. If the vapor sensor detects the presence of hydrocarbon vapors, or alternatively, changes in the amount of oxygen vapor indicative of hydrocarbon vapor presence, power is decoupled from the electronic components of the fuel dispenser, thus reducing the likelihood of sparking that could cause vapors to combust, ignite, or explode. 
     Alternate embodiments comprise using a plurality of sensors and/or keeping a log of sensor readings to verify functionality, deviations from calibrations, and the like. 
    
    
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present invention and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel dispenser with a cutaway view of the internal mechanisms thereof as used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart demonstrating the logic paths of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a fuel dispenser as positioned in a fuel dispensing environment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention and illustrate the best mode of practicing the invention. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the invention and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel dispenser  10  such as may be used with the present invention. Such a fuel dispenser  10  may be the ECLIPSE® manufactured and sold by assignee of the present application, although almost any type of fuel dispenser may be used with the present invention. The fuel dispenser  10  is shown with a housing  11  partially cut away to illustrate the first chamber  12 , which comprises a fuel pump  14 , a fuel meter  16 , and other fuel-handling devices  18 , which are well understood in the art. Any electrical connections or terminal boxes within the first chamber  12  are required to comply with the National Electronics Code (NEC) regulations found in section  500  for a Class 1, Division 1 area for explosion prevention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,564, incorporated herein by reference, discusses more information on Class 1, Division 1 areas in a fuel dispenser. Typically, these electrical connectors must be enclosed in an explosion-proof housing. For a further explanation of the internal components of a fuel dispenser, reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,602,754; 6,357,493; 6,196,065; and 6,065,638, which are all hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     A vapor barrier  20  may be positioned superiorly of the first chamber  12  and preclude fuel vapor emissions from the fuel-handling components positioned within the first chamber  12  from entering a second chamber  22 . Information about vapor barriers may be found in the previously incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,445. The second chamber  22  may be positioned above the vapor barrier  20  and may comprise an electronics chamber with a controller  24 , display electronics  26 , payment acceptor electronics  28 , and the like, as is well understood in the art. The electrical connections in the second chamber  22  are typically not explosion-proof, nor are they enclosed in explosion-proof housings. An unbroken conduit (not shown explicitly) conveys the fuel through the space proximate the second chamber  22  to the top of the fuel dispenser  10  for dispensing through the external hose and nozzle as is well understood. Because the conduit is unbroken, a slightly different type of protection exists for these conduits. Namely, a Class 1, Division 2 level (as defined by the NEC) of protection is afforded these fuel lines. However, it is possible, albeit very unlikely, that fuel vapors may escape from these conduits to the second chamber  22 . Fuel vapors may also be generated in a blending apparatus or other fuel handling device positioned within the top of the fuel dispenser  10 . 
     Power is supplied to the electrical components within the fuel dispenser  10  by power line  30 . The present invention associates a power interlock  32  with the power line  30 . An exemplary power interlock  32  is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,130, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other power interlocks may also be used as needed or desired. Power interlocks may be associated with the fuel dispenser  10  for other reasons. For example, some fuel dispensers  10  may have a power interlock that detects collisions and removes power from the fuel dispenser  10  in the event a vehicle collides with the fuel dispenser. 
     The present invention places a vapor sensor  34  within the second chamber  22 . The vapor sensor  34  is operatively connected to the power interlock  32 . In one embodiment, the vapor sensor  34  is connected to the controller  24 , and the controller  24  is connected to the power interlock  32 . In an alternate embodiment, the vapor sensor  34  may comprise a dedicated controller and memory associated therewith to control the power interlock  32  directly. If the vapor sensor  34  detects a level of vapor above a predetermined acceptable threshold, the vapor sensor  34  (either directly or indirectly) causes the power interlock  32  to decouple power to the fuel dispenser  10 , or at least the electronic components of the second chamber  22 , thereby reducing the risk of spark-fuel vapor interaction. 
     The vapor sensor  34  may be a pellistor, a chemical film sensor, a semi-conductor sensor, a tin oxide sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, or the like. Additionally, while this embodiment discloses a vapor sensor  34  that senses the presence of hydrocarbon vapor, an alternate embodiment detects a decrease in oxygen or nitrogen levels, and from that decrease infers an increase in the presence of hydrocarbon vapors. Still other indirect sensing technologies are available and suited for use with the present invention. Exemplary vapor sensor patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,782,275 and 5,832,967, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     Thus, a “vapor sensor” as defined herein, in its broadest form, is a sensor that is capable of allowing the determination of the presence or absence of fuel vapor. The output of the vapor sensor  34  may be a voltage or current level that may be interpreted to determine the level of fuel vapor within the second chamber  22 . This interpretation may require a “zero” and “span” calibration as is well understood. This calibration may be done by sequential logic circuits or with the aid of the controller  24 . 
     In the embodiment in which the vapor sensor  34  directly controls the power interlock  32 , the vapor sensor  34  may be associated with additional circuitry, memory, and software to provide the functionality of the present invention. In the embodiment in which the vapor sensor  34  reports a measurement to the controller  24 , the controller  24  may have the memory and software to provide the functionality of the present invention. 
     In another embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, multiple vapor sensors  34  may be positioned at various locations within the second chamber  22 . Multiple vapor sensors  34  may be used for redundancy purposes and/or leak detection purposes. With an array of vapor sensors  34 , leak location may be approximated as the vapor sensor  34  closest to the leak may be the first to detect leaking vapor or have the highest level of detected hydrocarbons. To this end, measurements taken by the vapor sensors  34  may be stored in memory along with a time stamp so that this data may be analyzed. Where there is an array of vapor sensors  34 , the measurement data may be indexed by a locational identifier to distinguish between data from different vapor sensors  34 . 
     While a vertical array of vapor sensors  34  is illustrated in FIG. 1, a horizontal array or a matrix array may also be used. Additionally, the vapor sensors  34  may preferably be positioned proximate any place through which wiring passes from the second chamber  22  to the first chamber  12 , as such locations are more likely to experience failure and thus leak fuel vapors into the second chamber  22 . In any event, fuel vapor levels exceeding a predetermined threshold detected by any of the vapor sensors  34  will trigger the power interlock  32  to decouple power to the electronic components of the fuel dispenser  10 . 
     As might be expected, the fuel dispenser  10  communicates with a site controller  40  and perhaps a remote network  42  over long distance communication networks such as the Internet. This communication may be through any number of communication links and protocols such as TCP/IP, a proprietary protocol, or the like, and is well understood. 
     There are numerous permutations on the functionality that may be implemented with the present invention as illustrated in FIG.  2 . Initially, the vapor sensor  34  is installed in the fuel dispenser  10  (block  100 ). The vapor sensor  34  is calibrated (block  102 ). While the calibration may be considered optional, it is typically preferred. As noted, this may involve providing the vapor sensor  34  a “zero” point and a range of hydrocarbon vapor levels while measuring the output of the vapor sensor  34 . This may be stored in a look-up table or the like as needed or desired. “Zero” in this case may be a relative zero rather than an absolute zero. A log of the calibration may be kept (block  104 ) as well. 
     The fuel dispenser  10  is installed in the field (block  106 ). This is a conventional process, although the power coupling must be routed through the power interlock  32 . However, this may be seamless to the individual installing the fuel dispenser  10 . Power is then provided to the fuel dispenser  10  (block  108 ). This may be done by turning a circuit breaker, plugging in the fuel dispenser  10 , or other equivalent technique as is well understood. Note that the present invention may be retrofit onto existing fuel dispensers  10  that have already been deployed. While the order of the steps may change, the fundamental operation of the vapor sensor  34  and the power interlock  32  does not. Such changes in the order of the steps are trivial to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure. 
     The vapor sensor  34  tests the vapor level upon first receiving power (block  110 ). The vapor sensor  34  outputs either a current level or voltage level indicative of a detected vapor level within the second chamber  22 . A determination is made whether the hydrocarbon vapor exceeds a predetermined threshold (block  112 ). If the hydrocarbon vapor does exceed the threshold, then the power interlock  32  is instructed to interrupt power to the fuel dispenser  10  (block  114 ), and an alarm may be generated (block  116 ). The alarm may be audible, visual, or some combination thereof. In one embodiment, the alarm is local to the fuel dispenser  10 . In a second embodiment, the alarm is routed to a remote location such as site controller  40  or through the Internet  42  to still another remote location. Still further, the alarm may be generated by a site controller  40  or other remote computer polling the fuel dispenser  10  and not receiving a response because the fuel dispenser  10  has been depowered. 
     If, however, the vapor detected does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the measurements may be logged (block  118 ). As noted above, such a log may comprise a measurement, a time stamp, and a vapor sensor  34  identification as needed or desired. 
     Using the log of data, the controller  24  may determine if the sensors  34  need calibration (block  120 ). If block  120  is answered affirmatively, an alarm may be generated (block  116 ). Optionally, power may be decoupled from the fuel dispenser  10  as a precautionary measure. To determine if the sensors  34  need calibration, the latest data from the vapor sensor  34  may be compared to historical data; a time stamp may be compared to an expected life expectancy of the calibration in light of known wear patterns on the vapor sensors  34  or other technique as is well understood. 
     Additionally, the controller  24  may use the log of data to determine if the vapor sensors  34  are working (block  122 ). For example, if no reading is present at all from the vapor sensor  34 , the readings are at wide variation from an expected reading, or a reading at wide variation from readings from other vapor sensors  34  is present, the vapor sensor  34  may not be working. If the vapor sensor(s)  34  is(are) not working, an alarm may be generated (block  116 ) and optionally power decoupled from the fuel dispenser  10 . 
     Still further, the controller  24  may, using the log of data, determine if the vapor sensor(s)  34  is(are) failing (block  124 ). This may be done by comparing the time stamps to an empirically derived life expectancy threshold, a series of increasingly errant readings, or the like as is needed or desired. If the vapor sensor(s)  34  is(are) failing, an alarm may be generated. 
     A clock or the like associated with the controller  24  may determine if it is time to check the vapor levels (block  126 ). This may be done by comparing the time stamp on the last reading to a clock, by calculating a time elapsed, or the like as needed or desired. If the answer is no, the process repeats as indicated. If the answer is yes, the process repeats at block  112 . Note that the frequency with which the vapor is checked may vary as needed or desired. In one embodiment, the vapor levels are automatically checked periodically. In another embodiment, the vapor levels are checked by manual intervention and instruction. 
     Note that while blocks  118 - 126  are described as being performed by the controller  24 , these steps may equivalently be performed by a microprocessor or sequential logic associated directly with the vapor sensor  34 , or even by a site controller  40  or other remote computer that performs these functions for a plurality of fuel dispensers  10  in a fueling environment. Such distributed tasking is not preferred as it places increased signaling burdens on the networks within the fueling environment, but it is possible. 
     Note further that the precise order of the steps need not be as linear as indicated and that those skilled in the art will recognize variations that still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, not every determining step  120 - 124  need be completed every time the vapor level is checked. Likewise, the determining steps  120 - 124  may be tied to internal clocks independent of the vapor checking. For example, the sensors-working determination could be once a day; the sensors-failing determination once a week; and the sensors-need-calibration determination once a month. Other time periods are also possible. 
     While not shown explicitly as part of the flow chart in FIG. 2, the present invention may also temporarily suspend the functioning of the vapor sensor  34  to allow for high voltage leakage checks of site wiring. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a fueling environment  50  that further illustrates alternate embodiments of the present invention. Fueling environment  50  comprises one or more fuel dispensers  10 , which may be positioned on an island  52  as is conventional. While it is particularly contemplated that the fuel dispensers  10  will dispense gasoline or diesel fuel, other vapor generating fuels such as propane, natural gas, or the like may also be dispensed. The fuel dispensers  10  receive fuel from an underground storage tank (UST)  54  that has a tank monitor  56  associated therewith. 
     The fuel dispensers  10  and the tank monitor  56  may communicate with the site controller  40 . The site controller  40  may be positioned within a building  44  within the fueling environment  50  as is well understood. Alternatively, the fuel dispensers  10  and the tank monitor  56  may be connected directly to a communications network such as the internet  42 . As yet another alternative, the fuel dispensers  10  and the tank monitor  56  may be directly connected to a remote computer  58 . In a contemplated embodiment, the remote computer  58  may be a computer associated with the manufacturer or distributor of the fuel dispensers  10  or the tank monitor  56 . 
     The tank monitor  56  may be one such as those sold by Veeder-Root and as exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,423,457; 5,400,253; and 5,319,545, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. The tank monitor  56  may communicate with the fuel dispensers  10 . The various communications within the fueling environment  50  may be over a LAN, a wireless LAN, serial communications between the entities, master-slave relationships, daisy chain relationships, or the like as needed or desired, and may use any appropriate protocol. 
     In contrast to the earlier embodiment, the embodiments of FIG. 3 may remove the decision-making from within the fuel dispenser  10  and vest such decision-making with an entity removed therefrom. Specifically contemplated embodiments vest the decision-making with the site controller  40 , the tank monitor  56 , or the remote computer  58 . However, these are not preferred as they may add traffic to the interstitial networks connecting the elements and may result in delays before the command is sent to the power interlock  32  to decouple the power from the electronics within the fuel dispenser  10 . 
     The measurement data may be sent to a remote location of collation and processing as needed while preserving memory space in the fuel dispenser  10 . Depending on the precise communication topology of the fueling environment  50 , the fuel dispenser  10  may send the data first to the tank monitor  56  and thence to the remote computer  58 , first to the site controller  40  and thence to the remote computer  58 ; directly to the remote computer  58 ; or the like as needed or desired. Tank monitors  56  already have communicative links to remote computers  58  to report pressurization levels, fugitive emissions, and the like, so sending the data relating to vapor within the second chamber  22  may be compiled therewith as needed or desired. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.