Patent Description:
Safety aspects in and around areas containing fuel dispensing units is today a highly debated field and new technology is constantly developed with the intention to increase the safety within such areas. It is well-known that fuel is a highly inflammable substance that must be handled with extreme care. An inherent property of fuel, that increases the risks of its handling, is its high volatility. For the above reasons, safety standards such as the UL standards for safety in North America, the ATEX directive in the EU or the European standard EN <NUM> pertaining to petrol filling stations have been created for fuel handling to reduce the thereby induced risks.

According to those standards, electromechanical devices, such as the motor or the above-mentioned switching device, must be enclosed in explosion-proof housings or isolated through the use of intrinsically safe circuitry in order to protect against the hazards of a spark igniting fuel vapors.

Although serious measures have been taken to ensure the safety it is always a concern when highly inflammable substances are handled around fuel dispensing units. It is particularly difficult to ensure safety when the fuel dispensed is gas such as hydrogen, CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) or LPG (Liquefied Natural Gas) that could be dispensed at gaseous state or at liquid state. Indeed, hydrogen can be dispensed at gaseous state or at liquid state, for instance.

One conventional safety measure in fuel gas dispensing units available on the marked to is to arrange gas sensors in different areas of the fuel dispensing unit to be able to detect potential leakage therein.

<CIT> discloses a fuelling nozzle for dispensing a gaseous fuel to a vehicle includes a main body having a conduit formed therein and configured to permit the gaseous fuel to flow therethrough. The conduit terminates at a dispensing end of the main body. The dispensing end of the main body forms an interface with a fuel inlet of the vehicle during a fuelling operation. The fuelling nozzle further includes a sensor disposed at the dispensing end of the main body adjacent the conduit. The sensor is configured to detect a leakage of the gaseous fuel during the fuelling operation.

<CIT> discloses a gas filling apparatus with excellent filling efficiency through a downsized gas pipe cooling section. A gas filling apparatus of the present invention includes; a main unit having a filling mechanism for transporting a gas from a gas supply source through a primary pipe while measuring a flow rate of the gas and a gas pipe cooling section for cooling a gas pipe in which a gas from the filling mechanism is introduced; and a hose unit having a filling hose connected to a secondary pipe lead from the gas pipe cooling section and a gas filling nozzle attached to an end of the filling hose. The document <CIT> discloses a gas dispenser for dispensing fuel gas to a vehicle.

A problem with the solutions available on the market today is that they are expensive and complicated since a vast number of sensors are required in order to cover the different components and areas of the fuel dispensing unit.

Some areas of the dispenser as the bottom par comprising a dispensing unit is not covered with a sensor located at the nozzle.

It is an objective of the present invention to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies in the art and disadvantages singly or in any combination and solve at least the above-mentioned problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention, these and other objects, and/or advantages that will be apparent from the following description of embodiments, are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a gas dispenser for dispensing fuel gas to a vehicle.

The gas dispenser comprises a bottom part adapted to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a gas tank and to at least a nozzle intended to supply gas to the vehicle, a top part arranged above the bottom part, and at least one intermediate part connecting the bottom part and the top part. The top part comprises a gas collecting housing having at least one opening, through which fuel gas at a gaseous state can enter.

According to the invention, a gas sensor is arranged at the gas collecting housing, the gas sensor being adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing.

This is advantageous in that only one single sensor will be required for the entire fuel dispensing unit in terms of gas leakage detection. Any gas leakage within, or even around, the fuel dispensing unit will rise up and into the gas collecting housing, at which the gas sensor is arranged. A leakage coming from the bottom part of the dispenser or the nozzle when hold by the nozzle boot can be detected by a single gas sensor.

Thus, a simple and cost-efficient solution to a complicated problem has been achieved.

The at least one intermediate part may comprise a hollow portion, such that gas can travel therethrough.

The at least one intermediate part may be aligned with the at least one opening of the gas collecting housing, such that gas present in the at least one intermediate part can travel therefrom up and into the gas collecting housing via the at least one opening thereof.

The at least one intermediate part may be aligned with at least one opening of the bottom part, such that gas present in the bottom part can travel therefrom, into and through the at least one intermediate part, up and into the gas collecting housing via the at least one opening thereof.

The gas dispenser may further comprise a nozzle boot adapted to hold the nozzle, the nozzle boot being arranged between the bottom part and the top part and in communication with the at least one intermediate part, such that gas leaked from the nozzle placed therein can travel, into and through the at least one intermediate part, up and into the gas collecting housing via the at least one opening thereof.

The gas collecting housing may be gas-tight except for the bottom portion thereof.

The gas sensor may be arranged in the upper portion of the top part inside the gas collecting housing.

This enables to improve the sensibility of the detection as the gas such as hydrogen is light and go up. Gas concentration at the top part is higher than at the bottom part.

The top part may have a perforated area in its bottom portion, through which perforated area gas from the surroundings or gas leaked from the gas dispenser can enter into the gas collecting housing.

Once detected by the gas sensor, the gas can be evacuated outside the dispenser through the perforated area for safety raison.

Another function of the perforated area <NUM> is to collect leaked gas around the gas dispenser <NUM>.

When there is a gas leak somewhere else in or around the gas dispenser, the leaked gas will rise, and potentially enter the gas collecting housing through the perforated area provided in the bottom portion of the top part.

The gas dispenser may further comprise a control unit connected to the gas sensor and arranged to deactivate the gas dispenser upon detection of gas.

The at least one intermediate part may comprise a column extending between the bottom part and the top part.

The at least one intermediate part may comprise a first and a second column extending between the bottom part and the top part at opposite sides of the gas dispenser.

The at least one opening of the top part may be arranged in a bottom portion thereof.

The at least one opening of the bottom part may be arranged in a top portion thereof.

The gas dispenser may further comprise at least one supply line crossing the hollow portion of the intermediate part from the dispensing unit to the top part, and a connector provided at the top part, wherein the connector is connected to the supply line and linked to the nozzle through a flexible hose.

The gas may be hydrogen and the gas sensor may be a hydrogen sensor.

According to a second aspect of the invention, these and other objects are achieved, in full or at least in part, by a method for controlling a gas dispenser for dispensing fuel gas to a vehicle. The gas dispenser comprises a bottom part adapted to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit connected to a gas tank and to at least a nozzle intended to supply gas to the vehicle, a top part arranged above the bottom part, the top part comprising a gas collecting housing having at least one opening, through which fuel gas at a gaseous state can enter, at least one intermediate part connecting the bottom part and the top part, a gas sensor arranged at the gas collecting housing, and a control unit connected to the gas sensor. The method comprises the step of deactivating the gas dispenser upon detection of gas in the gas collecting housing by means of the gas sensor.

Effects and features of the second aspect of the present invention are largely analogous to those described above in connection with the first aspect of the inventive concept. Embodiments mentioned in relation to the first aspect of the present invention are largely compatible with the further aspects of the invention. In order to avoid undue repetition, reference is made to the above.

Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following detailed disclosure, from the attached claims, as well as from the drawings. It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features.

All references to "a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc.]" are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise.

As used herein, the term "comprising" and variations of that term are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

The above, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention, will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, where the same reference numerals may be used for similar elements, and wherein:.

<FIG> illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a gas dispenser <NUM> for dispensing fuel gas to a vehicle. The gas dispenser <NUM> has a bottom part <NUM> standing on the ground which comprises a dispensing unit <NUM> connected to a gas tank (not shown) and to a nozzle <NUM> intended to supply gas to the vehicle, and a top part <NUM> arranged above the bottom part <NUM>.

A first and a second column <NUM>, <NUM> extend from the bottom part <NUM> to the top part <NUM> at opposite sides of the gas dispenser <NUM> and hold the top part <NUM> in place. The hydraulics of the gas dispenser <NUM> is arranged in the bottom part <NUM> and the top part <NUM> comprises a gas collecting housing <NUM> which has a plurality of openings in its bottom portion <NUM>, through which fuel gas at a gaseous state can enter.

The gas dispenser may further comprise at least one supply line crossing the column from the dispensing unit to the top part and a connector provided at the top part. The connector is connected to the supply line and linked to the nozzle through a flexible hose <NUM>.

A gas sensor <NUM> is arranged in the gas collecting housing <NUM> which is adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing <NUM>.

The first and second column <NUM>, <NUM> both include a hollow portion <NUM> and are arranged to be aligned with openings <NUM>, <NUM> present in the bottom part <NUM> and top part <NUM>, such that gas present anywhere in the gas dispenser can travel therethrough.

Gases dispensed can be at gaseous or liquid phasis. The gas in question may be a fuel gas meaning hydrogen, LNG, CNG or LPG. Since these gases a lighter than air they will travel upwardly through the parts of the gas dispenser and eventually end up in the gas collecting house.

That is, gas from a potential leak in, for example, the bottom part <NUM> of the gas dispenser will rise and enter the first column <NUM> or the second column <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in a top portion <NUM> of the bottom part <NUM>, travel thought the first column <NUM> or the second column <NUM> and enter into the gas collecting housing <NUM> of the top part <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in the bottom portion <NUM> thereof.

A nozzle boot <NUM> adapted to hold the nozzle <NUM> is arranged at each column <NUM>, <NUM> between the bottom part <NUM> and the top part <NUM>. The nozzle boots <NUM> are in communication with the columns, respectively, such that gas potentially leaked from the nozzle <NUM>, when held in the nozzle boot <NUM>, can travel from the nozzle boot <NUM> and into the columns <NUM>, <NUM>. From there, the gas will rise through the columns <NUM>, <NUM> and enter into the gas collecting housing <NUM> of the top part <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in the bottom portion <NUM> thereof. At least a hole (not shown) is provided in the nozzle boots <NUM>. The hole is located in front of the output of the nozzle <NUM> or above the nozzle <NUM>.

In <FIG>, a cross-sectional view of the exemplary gas dispenser <NUM> is illustrated. Here, it is in more detail illustrated how the different part and portions of the gas dispenser is connected and in communication with each other. For example, the hollow portion <NUM> in the columns <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively, is shown, as well as the opening <NUM> in the top portion <NUM> of the bottom part <NUM> and the opening <NUM> in the bottom portion <NUM> of the top part <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the top part <NUM> of the gas dispenser <NUM> in more detail. The top part <NUM> of gas dispenser <NUM> (and the gas collecting housing <NUM>) is preferably gas-tight at all sides except for the bottom portion through which gas must be able to enter.

The gas sensor <NUM> is arranged in the upper portion of the top part <NUM> inside the gas collecting housing <NUM>. Other solutions could also be possible but naturally the gas sensor <NUM> must be able to detect the gas present in the gas collecting housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the top part <NUM> of gas dispenser <NUM> (and the gas collecting housing <NUM>) has a perforated area <NUM> in its bottom portion <NUM>, through which gas from the surroundings or gas leaked from the gas dispenser <NUM> can enter into the gas collecting housing <NUM>. The perforated area <NUM> comprises several oblong holes that are aligned. Different configurations are possible as circular holes.

Advantageously, the perforated area <NUM> is located at the middle of the bottom portion <NUM>.

A control unit (not shown) which is arranged in a suitable location in the gas dispenser <NUM> is connected to the gas sensor <NUM> and arranged to deactivate the gas dispenser <NUM> upon detection of gas.

When there is a gas leak in, for example, the hydraulics compartment of the bottom part <NUM> or at the nozzle <NUM> present in the nozzle boot <NUM>, the leaked gas will rise, due to the fact that the gas in question is lighter than air and be forced to enter into one or both of the columns <NUM>, <NUM> through the openings provided. From there, the gas will be lead through the hollow portion <NUM> of the column(s) <NUM>, <NUM> and eventually enter into the gas collecting housing <NUM> of the top part <NUM> via the opening <NUM> in the bottom portion <NUM> of the top part <NUM>. The control unit arranged in the gas dispenser <NUM> will then deactivate the gas dispenser <NUM> when the gas present in the gas collecting housing <NUM>, detected by the gas sensor <NUM>, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

When there is a gas leak somewhere else in or around the gas dispenser <NUM>, the leaked gas will rise, and potentially enter the gas collecting housing <NUM> through the perforated area <NUM> provided in the bottom portion <NUM> of the top part <NUM>. Here, in the same way, the control unit will deactivate the gas dispenser <NUM> when the gas present in the gas collecting housing <NUM>, detected by the gas sensor <NUM>, exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

The skilled person realizes that a number of modifications of the embodiments described herein are possible without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

For instance, the gas dispenser <NUM> may be equipped with one single intermediate part <NUM> connecting the bottom part <NUM> with the top part <NUM>. In another example, four intermediate parts <NUM> are provided. One or all of the intermediate parts <NUM> may carry nozzle boots <NUM>. The intermediate parts <NUM> may extend from the top portion <NUM> or the side portion <NUM> of the bottom part <NUM> to the side portion <NUM> or bottom portion <NUM> of the top part <NUM>. The intermediate part <NUM> may be hollow such that gas can travel from the bottom part <NUM> to the top part <NUM> therethrough.

Claim 1:
A gas dispenser (<NUM>) for dispensing fuel gas to a vehicle, comprising:
a bottom part (<NUM>) adapted to be placed on a ground and comprising a dispensing unit (<NUM>) connected to a gas tank and to at least a nozzle (<NUM>) intended to supply gas to the vehicle,
a top part (<NUM>) arranged above the bottom part (<NUM>), and
at least one intermediate part (<NUM>) connecting the bottom part (<NUM>) and the top part (<NUM>),
characterised in that the top part (<NUM>) comprises a gas collecting housing (<NUM>) having at least one opening (<NUM>), through which fuel gas at a gaseous state can enter,
and that a gas sensor (<NUM>) is arranged at the gas collecting housing (<NUM>), the gas sensor (<NUM>) being adapted to detect gas present in the gas collecting housing (<NUM>).