GB2571110A

GB2571110A - Fluid delivery apparatus and method

Info

Publication number: GB2571110A
Application number: GB1802544.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerard Berry Martin; Williams Jacque
Original assignee: Berrys Holdings Tech Ltd
Current assignee: Berrys Holdings Tech Ltd
Priority date: 2018-02-16
Filing date: 2018-02-16
Publication date: 2019-08-21
Also published as: GB201802544D0

Abstract

A portable fuel filling elbow apparatus for preventing misfuelling comprises a conduit 110 with inlet 105IN and outlet 105OUT for coupling to a fluid source and storage tank respectively. A fluid sensor inspects a fluid in the conduit and provides an output indicative of the type of fluid in the conduit. A radio receiver receives information, e.g. via an RFID tag, indicative of the type of fluid that is permitted to flow through the conduit. A controller obtains the output from the sensor and radio receiver and causes the valve 120 to prevent fluid flow through the conduit 110 in case of a mismatch therebetween and to allow fluid flow in case of a match. The apparatus can additionally be used to prevent overfilling by monitoring liquid level in the storage tank. A flow of liquid may charge the device via optional turbine generator 142.

Description

FLUID DELIVERY APPARATUS AND METHOD

The content of patent application WO2012/052752 is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in delivering fuel to a fuel storage tank at a fuel storage facility and to a method of delivering fuel.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide apparatus for delivering fuel to a storage tank. For example, fuel delivery vehicles (known as fuel tankers) having fuel storage tanks may be used to deliver fuel from refineries to refuelling stations for sale to consumers.

Currently there are two primary fuel types used to power vehicles on public roads. They are petroleum spirits (commonly referred to as 'petrol' or 'gasoline') and diesel oil ('diesel'). Vehicles configured to operate using one fuel can experience damage if supplied with the other fuel. Thus it is important to avoid contaminating a petrol storage tank and related equipment with diesel or a diesel storage tank and related equipment with petrol.

It is not uncommon for a driver of a fuel tanker inadvertently to load the wrong type of fuel into a filling station fuel storage tank, for example diesel oil into a tank containing petrol, thereby contaminating the tank. This may be referred to in the industry as a 'misfuelling event', a 'misfuel' or 'cross-contamination'. Cross-contamination can be costly in terms of time and money to rectify due to wastage of fuel and cleaning of the contaminated tank. Furthermore, as noted above, damage can occur to vehicles and equipment contaminated with the wrong fuel type.

It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to at least partially mitigate the disadvantages of known refuelling apparatus.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention may be understood by reference to the appended claims.

In one aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided a portable fuel filling elbow apparatus comprising:

a fluid inlet for coupling to a fluid source, a fluid outlet for coupling to a fluid storage tank inlet and a conduit disposed therebetween;

fluid inspection means for inspecting a fluid within the conduit, the inspection means being configured to provide an output indicative of a type of fluid in the conduit;

valve means operable selectively to prevent or allow flow of fluid through the conduit from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet;

input means for receiving permitted fluid information being information indicative of a type of fluid that is to be permitted to flow through the conduit; and control means configured automatically to cause the valve means to prevent or allow flow of fluid through the conduit in dependence on the output of the fluid inspection means and the permitted fluid information received by the input means, the input means comprising a radio receiver.

Optionally, the input means comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, the tag reader comprising the radio receiver.

The tag reader may be arranged to read active and/or passive RFID tags.

Optionally, the input means is configured to receive the fluid information and in addition information indicative of the identity of a storage tank to which the apparatus is coupled, the apparatus being configured to store the information indicative of tank identity and the permitted fluid information for that tank.

Optionally, the control means is further configured to communicate with a fluid level monitoring system and receive fill level information indicative of a level of fluid in a fluid storage tank.

Optionally, the control means is configured to communicate with the fluid level monitoring system and receive fill level information indicative of the level of fluid in the fluid storage tank to which the apparatus is connected based on the information indicative of the identity of the storage tank to which the apparatus is coupled.

Optionally, the control means is configured to automatically cause the valve means to prevent flow of fluid through the conduit if the fill level information indicates the fill level is at least at a predetermined shut-off level.

Optionally, the control means is configured automatically to provide an alert to an operator if the fill level information indicates the fill level is at least at a predetermined alert level.

Optionally, the predetermined alert level is less than the predetermined shut-off level.

Optionally, the apparatus is configured to communicate with the fluid level monitoring system by means of a wireless link.

The wireless link may be a wireless radio link. Other wireless links may be useful in some embodiments.

Optionally, the apparatus may comprise an electrical generator configured to generate electrical power to charge a charge storage device in response to flow of fluid through the apparatus.

Optionally, the electrical generator comprises a turbine element arranged to be exposed to flow of fluid through the apparatus in use.

Optionally, the valve means comprises an electrically actuated valve.

In a further aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided a method of preventing misfuelling by means of portable fuel filling elbow apparatus, the method comprising:

coupling a fluid outlet of a portable fuel filling elbow apparatus to a fluid storage tank inlet;

coupling a fluid inlet of the elbow apparatus to a fluid source;

causing fluid from the fluid source to enter a conduit of the apparatus;

inspecting the fluid in the conduit by means of inspection means comprised by the apparatus, the inspection means providing an output to a control means comprised by the apparatus indicative of a type of fluid in the conduit;

receiving by means of a radio receiver of an input means comprised by the apparatus permitted fluid information being information indicative of a type of fluid that is to be permitted to flow through the conduit; and automatically causing, by means of the control means, the valve means to prevent or allow flow of fluid through the conduit in dependence on the output of the fluid inspection means and the permitted fluid information received by the input means.

In another aspect of the invention for which protection is sought there is provided a portable fuel filling elbow apparatus comprising:

input means for receiving information indicative of a level of fuel in the storage tank; and control means configured automatically to cause the valve means to prevent or allow flow of fluid through the conduit in dependence on the level of fuel in the storage tank.

Optionally, the input means is configured to receive the information indicative of the level of fuel in the storage tank from tank gauging apparatus, optionally automatic tank gauging (ATG) apparatus. The input means may receive the information indicative of the level of fuel in the storage tank by means of a wireless communications link, optionally a wireless radio communications link.

In some embodiments, the portable fuel filling elbow apparatus may be provided without the fluid inspection means for inspecting fluid within the conduit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portable elbow apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic illustration of the apparatus of FIG. 1 coupled to the inlet of an underground fuel storage tank of a filling station

FIGURE 3 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1

FIGURE 5 is a schematic illustration of a control portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIGURE 6 is a schematic illustration of a fluid type sensor employed in the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to providing a portable elbow apparatus 100 for use when transferring fuel from a fuel tanker vehicle 5 to an underground fuel storage tank 30 of a filling station 1 as illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

Portable elbow apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention (FIG. 1) is illustrated in use in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 shows the apparatus 100 coupling a hose 7 connecting a fuel reservoir of a fuel tanker vehicle 5 to the inlet 30IN of an underground storage tank 30. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a vehicle 25 receiving fuel from a fuel pump 21 configured to draw fuel from the underground storage tank via a supply pipe 23.

The apparatus 100 has a fluid inlet 105IN, a fluid outlet 105OUT and a fluid conduit 110 disposed therebetween, providing a flowpath for fluid from the inlet 1051N to the outlet 105OUT. The outlet 105OUT is arranged to be coupled to an inlet 30IN of the underground fuel storage tank 30(FIG. 2) and discussed in further detail below. The apparatus 100 is attached to the inlet 30IN by means of a known clamp arrangement employed in known elbow apparatus and which is operated by means of a handle 142 as shown in FIG. 1. The handle is movable upwards and downwards with respect of the normal upright orientation of FIG. 1 in order to clamp the apparatus 100 to the inlet 30IN or release the apparatus from the inlet 30IN.

With respect to the normal in-use orientation illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 has an upper elbow portion 107 in which the conduit 110 bends through an angle of substantially 50 degrees in the embodiment shown, although other angles such as 30 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees or any other suitable angle may be useful in some embodiments. The apparatus 100 also has an upright portion 108 below the elbow portion 107 in which the conduit 110 is substantially straight.

As shown in FIG. 4, a first (upper) portion of the upright portion 108 includes a valve device 120, a control portion 150 and a rotary generator portion 140. The control portion 150 is electrically activated (“switched on”) when the handle 142 is translated to the “locked” position, in which the apparatus 100 becomes clamped to the inlet 30IN of the storage tank inlet. The control portion 150 initially assumes a low power “sleep” mode, pending full activation as described further below.

The control portion 150 is illustrated in more detail in FIG. 5. The control portion 150 is provided within a housing 150H and includes a controller 155 and a fluid sensor 152. The fluid sensor 152 is configured to generate an output that is dependent on the type of fluid present in the region of the conduit 110 above the valve device 120 based on a refractive index of the fluid. The controller 150 is configured to determine, based on the output from the fluid sensor 152, whether any liquid in contact with the sensor 152 corresponds to the fuel within the fuel storage tank to which the elbow apparatus 100 is coupled. Further details of suitable sensor arrangements may be found in published patent application WO2012/052752, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the fluid sensor 152 has a prism portion 152P having an exposure surface 152PS that covers an aperture 110A in the fluid conduit 110 of the apparatus 100 above the valve device 120. The exposure surface 152PS is exposed to fluid present in the conduit 110 in the region above the valve device 120.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sensor 152 also has a light source 152L arranged to direct a beam of light through an entrance surface 152A of the prism portion 152P in a direction substantially normal to the entrance surface 152A, towards the exposure surface 152PS. An active light detector or sensor 152D is arranged to detect light from the source 152L that is reflected from the exposure surface 152PS and which passes through exit surface 152B. It is to be understood that the entrance and exit surfaces

152A, 152B are each arranged at an angle of substantially 70 degrees with respect to the exposure surface 152PS, in opposite directions, such that at least some light from the light source scattered by the exposure surface 152PS passes through the exit surface 152B. Other angles may be useful in some embodiments. The path of a beam of light through the prism portion 152P from the entrance surface 152A to the exposure surface 152PS is shown at NA, whilst the path of the ray following reflection at the exposure surface 152PS through an angle wherein the angle of incidence, θι_Ν, equals the angle of reflection, 0refl, is shown at NB.

In the embodiment shown, the active detector 152D is a position sensitive detector in the form of a linear detector, providing an output indicative of the intensity of light falling on the sensor as function of position along an active length L of the detector 152D. Detectors other than linear detectors may be useful in some embodiments.

As can be seen from FIG. 6, the longitudinal axis of the detector 152D (parallel to length L shown in FIG. 6) is oriented such that the detector 152D is able to detect an intensity of light falling on the detector 152D as a function of an angle through which the light has been scattered at the exposure surface 152PS. It is to be understood that the light source 152L may be arranged to direct light to be incident on the exposure surface 152PS over a non-zero range of angles such that light is scattered at the surface 152PS through a corresponding range of angles.

It is to be understood that the distribution of light intensity over the surface of the detector 152D is sensitive to the type of fluid in contact with the exposure surface 152PS of the sensor 152, and in particular the refractive index of the fluid. A different distribution of light intensity is observed as function of distance along the length of the detector 152D in the case the fluid is air, petrol or diesel, enabling the controller 152 to determine reliably whether or not a liquid is present in the elbow apparatus 100 above the valve 120, and whether any such liquid is petrol or diesel. It is to be understood that other types of sensor may be useful in some embodiments, including sensors responsive to a physical property other than refractive index such as ultrasonic sensors or any other suitable type of sensor.

The controller 155 includes a computing device arranged to compare data in respect of the intensity of light detected by the detector 152D with reference data stored in a memory of the controller 155. In some embodiments the controller 155 is arranged to determine the angle at which a peak in the intensity of scattered light is observed, or an angle that is offset from the angle of peak intensity by a prescribed amount.

The controller 155 then determines whether the data corresponds to reference data for air, petrol or diesel in order to determine the type of fluid (air, petrol or diesel) present in the conduit 110. It is to be understood that the sensor output is highly responsive to the fluid type, enabling reproducible and reliable determination of the type of fluid present in the conduit 110.

The controller 155 also receives an input from a communications module 157 that includes a radio frequency identification device (RFID) reader module 157A and a radio communications module 157B for communicating with an automatic tank gauging (ATG) control module 195 remote from the elbow apparatus 100 as shown in FIG. 2 and described in further detail below.

The RFID reader module 157A is configured to read an RFID tag 60 that is tethered to the inlet 30IN of the underground fuel storage tank 30 (as illustrated schematically in FIG. 2) in order to determine the type of fuel (petrol or diesel) that is stored in the storage tank 30.

As noted above, when the apparatus 100 is initially clamped to the tank inlet 30IN by actuation of handle 142 the control portion 150 initially assumes a low power “sleep” mode, pending full activation. In the sleep mode, the reader module 157A is active, transmitting a low power RF signal to excite a suitable passive RFID tag 60 and detect an RF signal transmitted by the tag 60. When the RFID tag 60 is presented to the reader module 157A, the reader module 157A is able to read data stored by the tag 60 including data indicative of the identity of the tank (such as a code indicative of location at the filling station, such as a tank number) and the type of fuel stored in the tank 30. In response to the reading of information from the tag 60, the control portion 150 is caused to wake the apparatus 100 from the sleep mode. The reader module 157A outputs the information received from the tag 60 to the controller 155 which in turn stores this data in the memory of the controller 155.

In use, when the apparatus 100 has been initially clamped to the inlet 30IN of the storage tank 30, the controller 155 provides an indication to an operator via a liquid crystal display (LCD) display device 156 (FIG. 1) that the RFID tag 60 associated with the storage tank should be presented to the apparatus 100 in order to enable the apparatus 100 to determine the type of fuel in the storage tank 30. The reader module 157A reads data stored in the RFID tag 60 as noted above and passes the information to the controller 155 which stores the type of fuel indicated on the tag 60, together with tank identity, in the memory of the controller 155. The controller 155 maintains valve device 120 in the closed condition until the controller 155 has read the tag 60. It is to be understood that the reader module 157A may read additional information from the tag 60 in some embodiments.

The operator may then commence delivery of fuel from the tanker 5 (FIG. 2) via a delivery hose 7 to the elbow apparatus 100.

Once the controller 155 has read and stored fluid type data contained in the RFID tag 60, the controller 155 monitors the output of the fluid sensor 152 and compares the type of fluid detected by the sensor 152 with the fluid type read from the RFID tag 60. If the fluid types match, the controller 155 causes the valve device 120 to open. If the fluid types do not match, the controller 155 causes the valve device 120 to remain in the closed position. It is to be understood that the apparatus 100 is configured to maintain the valve device 120 in the closed position unless a determination is made that the type of fluid in the conduit 110 matches that indicated on the RFID tag 60. In the present embodiment, if the controller 155 determines that a fuel is present that does not correspond to the fuel associated with the RFID tag 60, the controller 155 causes an audible and visual alert to be generated to inform the operator of the problem. The visual alert is in the form of an alert provided on the LCD display device 156. In some embodiments, in addition or instead a lamp such as a light emitting diode (LED) device may be illuminated, optionally in a pulsed (flashing) manner, to provide the visual alert.

In the case that the fuel detected by the sensor 152D matches that corresponding to the tag 60, the controller causes the valve device 120 to open. When the operator has finished loading fuel into the storage tank 30, the operator disconnects the hose 7 and unclamps the elbow apparatus 100 from the fluid inlet 30IN. Unclamping of the elbow apparatus 100 causes the controller 155 to close the valve device 120 and power down (“switch off”) in order to conserve battery power. Upon subsequent connection to a fuel tank inlet 30IN by clamping the apparatus 100 to the inlet 30IN, the controller 155 is configured to require reading of an RFID tag 60 before it can commence sensing of fluid in the conduit 110 and possible re-opening of the valve device 120.

It is to be understood that in the present embodiment the controller 155 is also configured to communicate with the ATG control module 195, typically located in a sales kiosk 11 associated with the filling station 1. The controller 155 of the apparatus 100 communicates with the ATG control module 195 via the radio communications module 157B, informing the ATG control module 195 of the identity of the tank to which the apparatus 100 is attached.

It is to be understood that the ATG control module 195 is configured to receive a signal from a fill level sensor 195S (FIG. 2) indicative of the level of liquid in each storage tank 30 of the filling station 1. When contacted by the controller 155 of the elbow apparatus 100, the ATG control module 195 responds by transmitting a signal indicative of the instantaneous fill level of the tank 30 to which the apparatus 100 is connected. The elbow apparatus 100 is configured to repeatedly interrogate the ATG module 195 to determine the fill level in the tank 30. In the present embodiment the apparatus 100 interrogates the ATG module 195 at intervals of around 10s although other values may be useful in some embodiments.

The controller 155 is configured to provide an audible and visual alert to the operator in the event that the fill level of the tank to which it is connected exceeds a predetermined alert level value, in the present embodiment a fill level of 80 percent although other values may be useful. In the event that the fill level subsequently reaches a predetermined shut-off level, in the present embodiment a fill level of 95 percent, the controller 155 is configured automatically to cause the valve device 120 to close. Thus it is to be understood that the apparatus 100 provides portable electronic overfill prevention functionality as well as misfuel prevention functionality. The apparatus 100 may thus be referred to as overfill prevention apparatus or misfuel prevention apparatus.

It is to be understood that the ATG control module 195 may provide an indication that the tank is at a fill level of 100 percent, where such a fill level corresponds to a value a predetermined amount below a maximum permissible fill level for that tank, for example of value of around 95 percent of the maximum allowable fill level in order to provide a safe margin permitting draining of fuel within the fuel hose 7 into the tank 30 in the event the valve device 120 is closed automatically by the controller 155.

In the present embodiment the apparatus 100 is configured to enable the operator to manually override the controller 155 when the valve device 120 is in the closed condition, forcing the valve device 120 to open, by means of an override RFID tag 62. Upon detection of the presence of the override RFID tag 62 the controller 155 forces the valve device 120 to assume the open condition until the apparatus is subsequently disconnected from the tank inlet 30IN, at which time the controller 120 automatically causes the valve device 120 to close. This permits an operator to drain fuel remaining in the hose 7 and apparatus 100 following automatic closure of the valve device 120 by the controller 155.

In some alternative embodiments, instead of being overridden by an RFID tag 63, the controller 155 may be forced to close or open the valve device 120 by means of a radio frequency (RF) remote control device 63 that communicates with the controller 155 via the radio communications module 157B or a separate, dedicated radio communications module. Other means for overriding the valve device 120 may be provided in some embodiments such as a control switch configured to cause the controller 155 to open the valve device 155 or a manual lever configured to physically close the valve device 120.

In the present embodiment the apparatus also has a charging module 140 having an “impeller” or “turbine” element 142 arranged to drive an electric generator configured to generate electrical power for recharging a battery 144 that powers the apparatus. The turbine element 142 is disposed in a flow stream of liquid through the conduit 110 such that flow of liquid through the conduit causes turning of the turbine element 142. In the embodiment shown the turbine element 142 is arranged such that its axis of rotation is substantially normal to the flow stream. In the embodiment shown the turbine element is arranged such that flow of liquid occurs over substantially the whole of an exposed face of the element 142, the blades of the element being angled such that liquid flowing over the half of the face of the element 142 that is moving in a direction against the flow of liquid subjects the blades to a lower rotational force than the blades moving in a direction with the flow of liquid. Other designs for turbine element 142 may be useful in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, at least half of the turbine element 142 may be shielded from liquid flow by means of a cover or cowl so as to reduce torque on the element 142 opposite the direction of intended rotation. In some embodiments the turbine element may be arranged with its axis of rotation substantially parallel or near parallel to the direction of flow of liquid through the conduit 110.

It is to be understood that the charging module 140 may generate sufficient power to maintain the battery 144 with sufficient charge to permit operation of the controller 155 and actuation of the valve device 120 as required.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, means “including but not limited to”, and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A portable fuel filling elbow apparatus comprising:

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the input means comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, the tag reader comprising the radio receiver.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the input means is configured to receive the fluid information and in addition information indicative of the identity of a storage tank to which the apparatus is coupled, the apparatus being configured to store the information indicative of tank identity and the permitted fluid information for that tank.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the control means is further configured to communicate with a fluid level monitoring system and receive fill level information indicative of a level of fluid in a fluid storage tank.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 as dependent on claim 3 wherein the control means is configured to communicate with the fluid level monitoring system and receive fill level information indicative of the level of fluid in the fluid storage tank to which the apparatus is connected based on the information indicative of the identity of the storage tank to which the apparatus is coupled.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the control means is configured to automatically cause the valve means to prevent flow of fluid through the conduit if the fill level information indicates the fill level is at least at a predetermined shut-off level.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6 wherein the control means is configured automatically to provide an alert to an operator if the fill level information indicates the fill level is at least at a predetermined alert level.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 as dependent on claim 6 wherein the predetermined alert level is less than the predetermined shut-off level.

9. Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the apparatus is configured to communicate with the fluid level monitoring system by means of a wireless link.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising an electrical generator configured to generate electrical power to charge a charge storage device in response to flow of fluid through the apparatus.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the electrical generator comprises a turbine element arranged to be exposed to flow of fluid through the apparatus in use.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the valve means comprises an electrically actuated valve.

13. A method of preventing misfuelling by means of portable fuel filling elbow apparatus, the method comprising:

coupling a fluid inlet of the elbow apparatus to a fluid source;

causing fluid from the fluid source to enter a conduit of the apparatus;

receiving by means of a radio receiver of an input means comprised by the apparatus permitted fluid information being information indicative of a type of fluid that is to be permitted to flow through the conduit; and automatically causing, by means of the control means, the valve means to

5 prevent or allow flow of fluid through the conduit in dependence on the output of the fluid inspection means and the permitted fluid information received by the input means.

Intellectual Property Office