Abstract:
A gasoline refueling nozzle ( 3 ) includes a system for preventing theft of gasoline by leaving without payment after refueling. The nozzle communicates both ways with a chip ( 7 ) on the car and a central unit ( 9 ) in the gasoline station via two air interfaces ( 5, 6, 8 ). The nozzle is equipped with an easily legible display ( 20 ) and with a built-in battery ( 17 ) for its operation, and the battery is recharged inductively from the gasoline pump ( 2 ) via an adapter unit.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to fueling stations for vehicles, and more particularly, to means in connection with safeguarding against theft on fuel from the stations. In accordance with the invention, a refueling nozzle is provided which comprises a forward filing spout, a main body in which the filling spout is attached, a handle section which comprises a finger operated trigger mechanism and which is preferably arranged at the rear end of the main body, and a connector part for a fuel-conducting hose. 
     System to prevent a gasoline station customer from leaving the station with the car without having paid for the fuel dispensed in a self-service operation are previously know. Video surveillance is quite common, but has clear limitations, since the station staff cannot pay attention all of the time, and such a system is quite dependent on having the staff attend to such a degree that a car registration number can be noted. Nor are video recordings that can be watched after replay sufficient, since the cameras will seldom be able to capture both wide-angle views and clear car registration numbers. 
     It has been suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,890,520 to equip the respective car and car driver with separate transponders to be able to monitor, by means of receivers on the gasoline pumps, the movements of a vehicle as well as a customer, thereby being able to determine whether the car and the customer are leaving the pump area. A disadvantage is, however, that this system is expensive and rather large, and is a requirement that the customer has his/her own PIN code. This has the result that customer and vendor (the gasoline station) will abstain from using the system. It will only be possible to offer this system to specific groups, so the goal regarding stopping gasoline theft will hardly be achieved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Thus, there exists a need for a system that is simpler and less expensive to implement than the previously known system, and that can easily be put in to use by all customer groups. This need is satisfied by a refueling nozzle of the type indicated in the introduction, and which in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the main body includes a transmitter/receiver unit (transceiver unit) for two-way electromagnetic communication via two air interfaces, with respectively a vehicle identifying means on a vehicle parked for refueling, or associated with the vehicle, respectively a central unit in a fueling station area, for transmitting a vehicle identification to the central unit. 
     In a favorable embodiment of the invention, the refueling nozzle includes a built-in power supply system in the main body, comprising one part of an inductive power transfer unit that is operative when the nozzle is inserted in a nozzle cradle between refueling use phases, as well as a recharging circuit connected to the part of the inductive power transfer unit, a rechargeable battery and a CPU (microprocessor) for control. Further, it is preferable that the nozzle is designed to lie/stand in a specially designed nozzle cradle/nozzle holder that contains a second part of the inductive power transfer unit in periods between use phases. This second part can be connected to a fuel supply unit and a power supply net via an adapter unit specially constructed for the fuel supply unit in question and including connectors and possible adaptation circuitry. 
     In an important embodiment of the refueling nozzle, it is equipped in a forward part of the main body with a fuel condensate recovery device, which device includes a forwardly tapered sleeve surrounding a rear portion of the filling spout. On its exterior, the sleeve is covered by a soft material in order to provide a sealing effect when engaging the vehicle fuel filler neck. The sleeve has at least one opening at its forward edge for receiving fuel vapor that may flow into an inner sleeve region where vapor can condense to be recovered, possibly using a Venturin principle. 
     Preferably the nozzle is electronically self-contained, with all necessary functions for communication, power supply, user information and possibly quantity control. It is preferably if the nozzle has a user information and communication system that comprises a battery-powered CPU connected to a radio frequency communication unit and to a display unit for displaying changing visual information. The display unit may be divided into two sections for displaying respectively data regarding the refueling and additional information, e.g. advertising. The display unit may alternatively be arranged with superimposed information, however, in such a manner that the refueling data are always visible during the process of refueling. 
     When the refueling nozzle is electronically self-contained as mentioned above, it may have a quantity control system that includes a battery-powered CPU connected to trigger, valve and flow rate sensors, as well as to a sensor device for car tank filling level, and possible to a quantity meter in a fuel pump via a radio frequency communication unit. The CPU is preferably operative to control built-in valves for start/stop, dosage and kick stop, based on signals from sensors for trigger mechanism status, for flow rate measurement and for detection of tank filling level. Preferably, the sensor device for tank filling level is of an optical type. 
     In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an adapter with interface function between a refueling nozzle and a fuel supply unit, which adapter is operative when the nozzle rests or is supported therein in an inoperative state. The adapter is characterized in that it includes (a) a nozzle cradle containing a second part of an inductive power transfer unit for recharging the nozzle, which nozzle contains a first part of the power transfer unit, as well as (b) an adapter unit which constitutes an interface between the nozzle cradle and the fuel supply unit, and is custom adapted to the fuel supply unit. The second part can be connected to a power supply net via the adapter unit and the fuel supply unit. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the following, the invention shall be illuminated further through a description of embodiment examples, and in connection with the appended drawings, where 
     FIG. 1 shows a sketch of a car next to a gasoline pump with a nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, 
     FIG. 2 shows a longitudinal section through a nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, 
     FIG. 3 shows an example of a display on a nozzle in accordance with the invention, 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B show details of a condensate recovery means in a nozzle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and 
     FIGS. 5A and 5B show an embodiment of an adapter set for use between a nozzle in accordance with the invention and an existing nozzle cradle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows a situation in which an automobile  1  has been parked for refueling at a fuel supply unit in the form of e.g. a gasoline pump  2 . A refueling nozzle  3  is provided at the end of a fuel hose  4 . The invention nozzle  3  includes a transceiver unit ( 16 , see FIG. 2) transmitting signals  5  to and receiving signals  6  from a car identifying means having the form of e.g. a transponder chip  7  attached to the car  1 , as well as signals  8  to (and possible from) a central unit  9  in the area, e.g. inside the gasoline station store. 
     The chip  7  can be mounted in a suitable position on the car, preferably on the inside of the car window, or it may be placed close to the tank filler cover  10 , or possibly on the inside thereof. Communication takes place e.g. by means of a system similar to the “Køfri” system, in which a radio frequency wave, infrared light, an inductive near field, or for that matter, ultrasound is used to interrogate the chip from the nozzle  3 . A high frequency radio signal may be the most suitable choice, such a signal being able to bring about a return signal from a passive chip  7  in a per se known manner. If the chip  7  is of the active type (i.e. Including its own power supply battery), the other signal types may easily be used. 
     The chip  7  is unique for the car in questions, i.e. it provides an unambiguous identifying signal back to the nozzle  3 . The nozzle then transmits a signal  8 , preferably in a different frequency range than the range of the interrogation signal, to the central unit  9 . If e.g. “the car credit” or other conditions should indicate so, the central unit may return a blocking signal to the nozzle  3 , to that no refueling can be executed. However, it no remark can be found in the central unit register, refueling can be done, possible after returning an “OK” signal to the nozzle. 
     If now the car or the customer should leave the station without paying after the self-service operation, the car and/or customer identity has now been entered, together with the visiting time and amount due for the fuel, in the central unit register, and necessary steps can be taken to make up for this matter. Hence, the system is clearly preventive and problem-solving regarding gasoline theft, which occurs quite often and constitutes a real problem in this line of business. 
     In FIG. 2 there is shown a longitudinal section through a favorable embodiment of a refueling nozzle  3  in accordance with the invention. Far to the right in the figure appears the forward nozzle filling spout  11 , to be inserted down into the car fuel filler neck. The filling spout  11  is attached to a main body  12 . At the rear end of the main body  12  here is arranged a handle section  13 , which includes a finger operated trigger  14 . At the rear end there is a connector part  15  for the fuel hose  4 . 
     The main body exhibits in its preferred embodiment a rechargeable battery  17 , a processor  18  and one part  19  of an inductive power transfer unit. In the embodiment shown, the processor  18  is arranged together with a unit  16  for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals. The signals are transmitted together with a display  20 , to and from the chip  7  on the car, and to and from the central unit  9 . In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the unit  16  comprises existing RF technology that can be purchased, the design thereof being adapted to the rest of the nozzle. The frequencies to be utilized must be adapted to national RF standards, and must in general be approved Euro/USA frequencies. In its preferred embodiment the nozzle  3  has its own power supply from the battery  7 . However, this battery must be recharged in the phase between refueling operations, and the preferred energy transfer method is inductive transfer, i.e. a transformer type transfer in which the nozzle  3  contains the “secondary winding”  19  and a nozzle holder ( 35 , see FIG. 5) contains the “primary winding” ( 40 ). Thereby the nozzle holder/cradle  35  exhibits no visible electrical connector in its interface toward the nozzle. 
     In addition, the processor  18  controls and monitors the recharge process in a per se known manner. 
     Hence, the nozzle is self-contained as regards electronics, i.e. it includes means for communication ( 16 ), power supply ( 17 ) and control ( 18 ). In the preferred embodiment, the nozzle further includes an integrated display  20  which is also controlled by processor  18 , and this display is operative to provide information for the customer during refueling in a very favorable manner. It is of course possible to provide other types of information, e.g. advertising, in the display, that is situated in a favorable position regarding a combined view of gallon/price information together with a possible advertisement message. The display  20  may possible be of a type with rapid updating, possibly in a color display. LCD display technology of the reflective type, which is easily legible in daylight, will presumably be preferred. The additional information is received, preferably in a wireless manner, from the central unit  9 , which itself can be connected to external information suppliers. 
     It appears also from FIG. 2 that the processor  18  is connected to various means in the nozzle. Inside the filling spout  11  is provided a sensor, preferably of an optical type. This sensor detects the distance to the gasoline surface in the car filler neck by optical range finding in a per se known manner. However, FIG. 2 shows another preferred embodiment, in which the sensor  21  detects a compressive force from a spring which in its other end has a float organ  22  that is able to rise with gasoline level or with an increasing pressure from below. At a given range or pressure threshold, the processor stops the flow of petrol by closing valve  23  in the hose connector part  15 . On the other hand, valve  23  is opened by the processor when it receives a signal from a trigger sensor  24 . The processor can also be connected to a flow rate sensor  27 , and possibly to a quantity meter in the gasoline pump  2  via a RF communication. 
     The nozzle  3  is, in its preferred embodiment, designed with a curved shape in order that the display  20  shall be easily legible also when the filling spout  11  has been pushed all the way into the car filler neck, and possibly the display may even by angled somewhat upward. 
     The display  20  may preferably be arranged in two parts such as shown in FIG. 3, that is with e.g. price/gallon display in a field (area) closer to the customer&#39;s eyes, and an advertising field  26  therebeyond. It is also possible to use one and the same field, with superimposed information types, however always in such a manner that the necessary refueling data are easily visible to the customer during progress of the refueling process. 
     As previously mentioned, the processor  18  is also connected to the display  20  for operation thereof, as well as to the communication unit  16 . It thereby appears that the nozzle  3  actually includes a complete user information and communication system, including its own power supply. 
     In FIG.  2  and FIG. 4 appears a system that it is necessary to associate with the nozzle  3  when the customer, in accordance with the nature of the invention, must keep up watching a display on the self-contained refueling nozzle, i.e. a system for removing petrol vapor  28  (FIG. 4) from the tank filler neck of the car. Inhaling of such vapor is unpleasant and damaging to health. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the forward part of the nozzle main body  12  is therefore equipped with a forward tapered sleeve  29  surrounding the rear part of the filling spout  11  in order to provide a seal against the car tank filling neck  30  during refueling. The sleeve  29  is clad on its outside with a soft material to provide a good seal. The forward edge of the sleeve  29  has one or several openings  31  through which petrol vapor  21  may flow up and into the sleeve. In an inner region  32  of sleeve  29 , this vapor may be caused to condense, possibly by means of a (not shown) cooling system, and condensed liquid may then either flow down back to the car filler neck through the sleeve openings  31 , or it may possibly be drawn into the gasoline flow in the nozzle again by means of a Venturi device  33 , which device may also cause gasoline vapor to be carried along together with the gasoline flow and down into the car tank again. 
     In order to utilize the fueling nozzle in accordance with the invention without having to undertake considerable re-building of existing fuel pumps, it is necessary to design a transition system. In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, FIG. 5 shows an adapter  34  which is in two parts, i.e. one section  34  that is adapted to the nozzle  3  itself, and one section  36  that is adapted to the particular gas pump top  37  which is of interest, i.e. the original nozzle cradle part of the gas pump. 
     The adapter  34  becomes operative when the nozzle  3  is laid or hung into it, i.e. at that moment a recharging process is started (if necessary) for the nozzle battery  17 . As previously mentioned, the nozzle contains a first part  19  of an inductive power transfer unit, and section  35  contains a second part  40  of the power transfer unit, i.e. the “primary winding” of the transformer-like system. The adapter section  36  is connected to section  35  by means of connectors. Section  36  uses, in its interface with the previous (original) nozzle holder  37 , for instance an existing “pump stop/start switch” built into the present device, as a current source, so that electrical power can be supplied for the recharge operation. 
     Finally it must be repeated that gasoline theft is eliminated by means of this invention by having the chip  7  read automatically from nozzle  3 , and having a message sent to the central unit  9  in the gasoline station, which central unit may then control the identity and successively filled gasoline volume and monetary amount. The identification from the system is contrasted to the amount etc., and upon received payment, deletion can be executed.