Patent GB-1158021-A (GB)
Title: Fluid Dispensing Apparatus Control System
Inventor: DILGER LAWRENCE
IPC: B67D1/12
Filed: 1966-04-01
Abstract: 1,158,021. Liquid dispensing apparatus. VEEDER-ROOT Ltd. 24 Jan., 1967 [1 April, 1966], No. 14529/66. Heading A4T. [Also in Divisions B6 and G4] A liquid dispensing apparatus, such as a petrol pump, is adapted for operation by a coin-controlled mechanism or manually operated push buttons. A preset mechanism is positioned according to the amount of liquid to be dispensed and stepped towards its "zero" position as the liquid is delivered. On reaching its "zero" position, the preset mechanism shuts-off the supply valve 16. A sensing device for the coin-controlled mechanism or push buttons, is driven through one revolution when the supply nozzle is removed from its housing, to position the preset mechanism in accordance with the value of coins inserted in the coin-controlled mechanism or the position of a preselected pushbutton. A register 26 having volume and cost counters 22, 24 is reset when the supply nozzle is replaced in the housing. Preset mechanism (Fig. 2). A preset wheel 200 is moved counter-clockwise on rotation of a shaft 40 to preset the amount of fluid to be delivered. A ratchet wheel 204 and pawl 202 step the preset wheel further in the counter-clockwise direction as fluid is dispensed to return the preset wheel to its "zero" position. As the preset wheel nears its "zero" position a shaft 42 is operated to close a shut-off valve 16 in two stages. The pawl is driven via an eccentric 208 engaging in a U-shaped opening 207. The eccentric is mounted on a shaft 36 geared to a shaft 37 driving the input to the cost counter 24 of volume counter 22. The pawl is mounted on a pin 221 carried by a pivotable member 225 whereby the pawl may be withdrawn from the ratchet wheel during zeroising of the counters and presetting of the preset wheel. The ratchet wheel has three teeth missing to disengage the drive when the preset wheel reaches its "zero" position or when liquid is delivered manually. Push button control (Fig. 6). Spring-loaded push buttons 300 may be individually depressed to select the amount of fluid to be delivered. A latch plate 304, having openings 306 receiving the push buttons, is urged by springs 309 in a counter-clockwise direction. When a push button is depressed, the latch plate engages an annular groove in the push button to lock it in its depressed position. A pivotally mounted lever 314 is biased outwardly by spring 318. A lug 315 on the lever engages an opening 316 in the latch plate and is normally positioned in the radially outer position. An arm 323 on shaft 60 pivotally supports a one-way pawl 322 spring-urged against a stop 224 on lever 314. When the shaft 60 is rotated clockwise the lever 314 moves inwardly to turn the latch plate clockwise and automatically release the depressed push button. The push buttons may be located at a remote point from the petrol pump. Coin operated mechanism (Fig. 7). The coin-operated mechanism includes an accumulator wheel 400. The accumulator wheel is reset to "zero" by rotation of the shaft 60, driving gears 404, 406 through a oneway drive 402. An abutment 414 disengages the drive 402 when the accumulator wheel reaches its "zero" position. A torsion spring 420 is loaded as the accumulator wheel is reset to bias said wheel in a clockwise direction. The mechanism is adapted to receive three coin denominations. Three indexing mechanisms 422 are provided for indexing the accumulator wheel 400 an angular amount proportional to the value of the coins accepted. The accumulator wheel is loosely mounted on shaft 48 and held against rotation by an elongated gear 426 meshing with a gear 428 on the wheel and a locking pawl 430. Each indexing mechanism comprises a control gear 434 rotatably mounted on a lever 436 and urged by spring 439 to bring faces 435, 437 into engagement. The gear has teeth 438 corresponding in number to the relative value of the respective coin. A finger 450 projecting into a coin shoot 54 is coupled to the lever 436 through a compression spring 446 to provide an over-centre biasing action. When a coin passes down the shoot, the finger 450 is pivoted to move the lever 436 past its over-centre position and disengage the pawl 430 from gear 426. The torsion spring 420 rotates the accumulator wheel an amount corresponding to the number of teeth on the control gear. If the accumulator is indexed an amount such that abutment 470 engages a member 466, Fig. 12 (not shown), shutters 460 in the coin shoots are pivoted to divert succeeding coins to a return cup. Sensing device (Fig. 7). The sensing device 600 for the accumulator wheel comprises a one-way drive ratchet wheel 608 rotated counterclockwise by input gear 610 on drive shart 82. The drive shaft 82 is rotated through one revolution on removal of the supply nozzle from its housing. Ratchet wheel 608 drives output shaft 48 through a pawl 616 carried by an arm 614 fast with output shaft 48. The abutment 470 disengages the pawl 616 from the ratchet wheel 608 to disengage the drive from shaft 82. Thus the output shaft is rotated in accordance with the setting of the accumulator wheel 400. The resulting angular setting of the output shaft 48, and consequently the angular setting of the preset shaft 40 and preset wheel 200 is 360 degrees minus the angular setting of the accumulator wheel. The push button sensing device is similar to the above and comprises a one-way ratchet drive transmitting drive from the input shaft 84 to the output shaft 48. The ratchet drive is disengaged by a depressed push button. Coin refund mechanism (Fig. 1 and Fig. 13). The coins pass down shoots 64-66 to reservoirs 500. Each reservoir includes a pivoted gate 522 operated by a lever 534 moving under the control of a cam 520 on shaft 80. A sensing device 527 carrying abutments 538-541 engageable with the coins, is lowered under the control of a cam 524 on shaft 80, to engage a controller 505. The latter consists of three cams 506 having stepped surfaces 511-514 and is driven by shafts 40, 48, so that its angular position at any instant represents the value of the undelivered liquid. At the end of an operating cycle, the sensing device 527 is lowered and the gate opened to refund 0-4 coins from each reservoir according to the value of any unusued credit. Ticket printer (Figs. 1 and 21). The printer, Fig. 18 (not shown), comprises a printing- counter roller (720) driven by a shaft (96) to record the value of coins used, a printing roller (722) printing fixed information, and a settable printer (724) printing the date and price of petrol. Back-up rollers (725), (726), and (728) are provided. The printer is operated to print cut and eject a ticket 102 during the first-half revolution of control shaft 104 and reset the printing- counter roller to zero on a second-half revolution. The roller 722, Fig. 21, comprises a shaft 780 receiving a resilient sleeve 782 on which a plurality of castellated members 784, 785 are mounted. The sleeve and castellated members are keyed to the shaft 780 by an elongated key 786. The members 784, 785 may be moved axially against a spring 787 for the insertion on removal of printing blocks 788 between the projections 789. Power operator: timer (Figs. 1 and 22). An electric motor 800 drives an output shaft 112 carrying a cam 840. The cam operates switches 836, 838 connected in series with the motor circuit. The switches are carried by a pivotable plate 830 whereby the motor is energized for half a revolution each time the plate is pivoted. An abutment 837 on the plate is engaged by locking arms 833, 834. When the supply nozzle 18 is removed from the storage receptacle 30, the locking arm 833 is withdrawn from the abutment 837. The plate 830 is pivoted to energize the motor through half a revolution. When the supply nozzle is replaced in the storage receptacle, the locking arm 834 is withdrawn whereby the plate 830 pivots to energize the motor through a second half revolution. An eddy current brake 846 prevents overrunning of the motor. A gear sector 114 on shaft 112 drives shaft 117 when the nozzle is removed and shaft 118 when the nozzle is replaced. The shaft 117 is rotated one full revolution to (1) rotate the reset shaft 28 and reset register 26, (2) rotate shaft 82 or 84 according to whether clutch 88 or 89 is engaged and set the preset wheel 200 in accordance with the coins deposited or the push button depressed and (3) rotate the shaft 122 to load a timer 120 shutting-off the supply of petrol if the nozzle is not replaced within a predetermined time. The shaft 118 is rotated one full revolution to rotate shaft 60 and reset the accumulator to "zero" or release any depressed push button. If clutch 90 is engaged, the shaft 112 drives the coin return shaft 80 and printer control shaft 104. Manual/coin control. The control system, Fig. 24 (not shown), may be set to (1) adapt the apparatus for coin or push button operation, (2) prevent the motor 800 operating before minimum value of coins have been deposited, and (3) close the shutters 460 in the coin shoots and return all coins deposited after the nozzle has been removed from its receptacle. The nozzle operated lever 32 (Fig. 1) closes the shutters 460 when the nozzle is removed.