EP1787945A1

EP1787945A1 - Metering system with replaceable in- and outlets for fuel dispenser

Info

Publication number: EP1787945A1
Application number: EP05110813A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Linda Ingby; Bengt Larsson
Original assignee: Dresser Wayne AB
Current assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden AB
Priority date: 2005-11-16
Filing date: 2005-11-16
Publication date: 2007-05-23

Abstract

A system for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit, the system comprising:
a fuel volume metering housing (3) having an inlet side (4), an outlet side (5), and two independently operable volume metering chambers (6a, 6b) connecting the inlet side (4) and the outlet side (5),
an inlet interface component (7), connectable to the inlet side (4) of the fuel volume metering housing (3), and
an outlet interface component (8), connectable to the outlet side (5) of the fuel volume metering housing (3) .

The system (2) comprises at least two mutually different variants of the inlet interface component (7), which are interchangeably connectable to the inlet side (4) of the fuel volume metering housing (3).

Description

Technical Field

Present invention relates to a system for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit. The system comprises a fuel volume metering housing having an inlet side, an outlet side, and two independently operable volume metering chambers connecting the inlet side and the outlet side.

Background Art

When dispensing fuel from a fuel dispensing unit (dispenser) to a vehicle tank, it is essential that the dispensed volume is accurately measured in order to correctly charge the customer purchasing the fuel. To measure the dispensed volume of fuel, fuel meters are arranged in the fuel dispensing unit. Today several different fuel meters exist, and it is common to differently arrange the meters within the fuel dispensing unit in order to achieve a specific fuel dispensing unit configuration.
One example of fuel dispensing unit configuration is a dispenser providing one fuel quality, e.g. 95 octane petrol, from a fuel hose on one side (A-side) of the fuel dispensing unit, and another quality, e.g. 98 octane petrol, from a fuel hose on the other side (B-side) of the fuel dispensing unit. Another fuel dispensing unit configuration is a dispenser providing the same fuel quality on both sides (A-side and B-side) of the dispensing unit. Generally, fuel may simultaneously be dispensed from both sides of the dispenser, both in case of same type of fuel on both dispenser sides and in case of different fuel types on the dispenser sides. Yet another configuration is a fuel dispensing unit providing fuel only on the A-side, and yet another is a fuel dispensing unit providing fuel only on the B-side.
Since fuel is provided, via the fuel meter device, with respect of the A-side and B-side in any combination and/or fuel quality, there is an equal number of fuel meter configurations as the number fuel dispenser combinations. Often, fuel meter devices are arranged in pair for reflecting the A-side and B-side of the dispenser, and usually two fuel meter devices are connected to, for example, a common pumping unit arranged in the dispenser.
Moreover, fuel dispensing configurations exist were the fuel meter is connected to different sources of fuel flow, resulting in different fuel meters. Yet another fuel meter configuration consists of different fuel flow outputs from the fuel meter, since specific and different national maintenance needs must be satisfied.
A problem with present fuel meters is that they require complex connections and additional piping devices if all the fuel dispensing unit configurations described above shall be achieved.
Another problem is that present fuel meters are expensive in respect of material, manufacture and assembly, and requires extensive spare-parts inventories.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement of the above techniques and prior art.
A particular object is to provide a fuel meter arrangement where the need for complex connections and piping is obviated, or at least alleviated, while a plurality of fuel dispensing unit configurations still are to be achieved.
Yet another object is to provide a fuel meter arrangement having a low material cost, a simple manufacturing process and an efficient assembly procedure.
These and other objects as well as advantages that will be apparent from the following description of the present invention are achieved by a fuel meter system having the features of appended claim 1 and 13, and by a fuel dispensing unit according to claim 14 and 15. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Hence a description is provided for a system for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit, the system comprising:

a fuel volume metering housing having an inlet side, an outlet side, and two independently operable volume metering chambers connecting the inlet side and the outlet side,
an inlet interface component, connectable to the inlet side of the fuel volume metering housing, and
an outlet interface component, connectable to the outlet side of the fuel volume metering housing,

The different variants of the inlet interface component provides a possibility to control how the flow of fuel is directed to and/or cut of from respective metering chamber. Said control is achieved by, during assembly, selecting appropriate inlet interface component and optionally by associating each metering chamber with a respective fuel dispenser side. Hence, the system providing the fuel meter is highly advantageous since it facilitates the provision of different fuel dispenser configurations due to the different variants of the inlet interface component. Furthermore, the inlet interface component has a relatively low cost owing to a simple mechanical construction.
In summary, the invention reduces the overall cost for arranging a fuel meter in a fuel dispenser by providing a modular system, in which a single base unit, which is the same for all dispensing unit configurations, is combined with different inlet components.
The at least two mutually different variants of the inlet interface component may be any two of:

a first inlet interface variant having an inlet and two outlets, said inlet connected to the outlets via a branch, and said outlets each being connectable to respective one of the volume metering chambers,
a second inlet interface variant having two inlets and two outlets, said respective inlet connected to a respective outlet via a respective channel, and said outlets each being connectable to respective one of the volume metering chambers,
a third inlet interface variant having an inlet and only one outlet, said inlet connected to the outlet via a channel, said outlet being connectable to one of the volume metering chambers, and
a fourth inlet interface variant having two inlets and only one outlet, said inlets connected to the outlet via a branch, said outlet being connectable to one of the volume metering chambers.

The first inlet interface variant is adapted for inletting a single fuel quality to both volume metering chambers and the second inlet interface variant is adapted for inletting different fuel qualities to the respective fuel volume metering chambers. The third inlet interface variant blocks the inlet of one fuel volume metering chambers, and is hence adapted for fuel flow through only one of the fuel volume metering chambers, while the fourth inlet interface variant is adapted for inletting fuel from at least two fuel sources to only one of the fuel volume metering chambers. The above mentioned variants make it possible to direct fuel in several different ways to any of the fuel volume metering chambers, by applying a low cost interface component that is conveniently connected to the chambers.
The system may comprise at least two further mutually different variants of the inlet interface component, where the first inlet interface variant has the form of a piping component for connecting at least one fuel conduit to the volume metering housing, and the second inlet interface variant has the form of a fuel pump section for connecting a fuel pump to the volume metering housing.
This first inlet interface variant is hence adapted for being connected to a fuel dispensing unit element, while the second inlet interface variant is adapted for being integrated with a fuel pumping device. Of course, these two variants may be freely combined with any of the earlier four described variants of the inlet interface component, thus creating totally eight variants.
Connection to a fuel dispensing unit element or a fuel pumping device makes the system more versatile, and since the inlet interface component has a low cost of manufacture, more cost efficient dispenser configurations are again possible.
The fuel volume metering housing may be connectable to the inlet interface component in at least two mutually different positions, said volume metering housing and inlet interface component in the second position being rotated 180° relative to each other as compared to the first position.
Interchanging the respective positions provides, for example, when single sided dispenser configuration is desired, a possibility to select from which side of the fuel dispensing unit the fuel shall be dispensed. The selection is done by flipping the metering housing between two mounting position on the inlet interface component, causing the respective positions of the two volume metering chambers to mutually change. In this case, preferably the volume metering housing has one of its volume metering chambers associated with one side of the dispenser, and the other volume metering chamber associated with the other side of the dispenser.
The system may comprise at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component, which are interchangeably connectable to the outlet side of the fuel volume metering housing.
The different variants of the outlet interface component provides a possibility to control how the flow of fuel is directed and/or prevented from respective metering chamber. Said control is achieved by, during assembly, selecting appropriate outlet interface component. The inlet interface component has a relatively low cost owing to a simple mechanical construction, and combining different outlet components with a single base unit further reduces the overall cost for arranging a fuel meter in a fuel dispenser.
The above mentioned outlet interface variants make it possible to direct fuel in several different ways to a fuel dispensing nozzle, by applying a low cost interface component that is conveniently connected to the chambers.
The at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component may be any two of:

a first outlet interface variant having two inlets and two outlets, said respective outlet connected to a respective inlet via a respective channel, and said inlets each being connectable to a respective one of the volume metering chambers,
a second outlet interface variant having an inlet and only one outlet, said outlet connected to the inlet via a channel, said inlet being connectable to one of the volume metering chambers, and
a third outlet interface variant having two inlets and only one outlet, said inlets connected to the outlet via a branch, said inlets being connectable to a respective one of the volume metering chambers.

The first outlet interface variant is adapted for directing fuel to fuel nozzles arranged on different sides of the fuel dispenser. The second outlet interface variant is adapted for directing fuel to only one side of the dispenser, since this outlet interface variant blocks the outlet of one of the volume metering chambers. The third outlet interface is adapted for an increased flow of fuel to a nozzle, since the flow of fuel through both of the of the volume metering chambers are combined after exiting the chambers.
At least one of the at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component may comprise at least one check valve opening or check and release valve opening.
A check valve satisfies national regulations and consumer demands, and may be employed with any of the outlet interface variants.
The fuel volume metering housing may be connectable to the outlet interface component in at least two different mutual positions, said volume metering housing and outlet interface component in the second position being rotated 180° relative to each other as compared to the first position.
Interchanging the respective outlet interface positions provides the same advantages and possibilities as when flipping the respective inlet interface positions earlier described.
The system may have only one of the independently operable volume metering chambers provided with metering means for generating a volume metering signal, or the system my have both independently operable volume metering chambers provided with a respective metering means, each metering means generating a respective volume metering signal.
When a dispenser is intended for dispensing fuel from only one of its sides, costs are saved by omitting the metering means from one of the metering chambers.
Any one of the variants of outlet interface components may be connected to an outlet interface component of another fuel volume metering housing, for the purpose of common fuel communication.
By connecting outlets of at least two outlet components arranged on a respective fuel volume metering housing, an increased flow of fuel may be dispensed from a fuel nozzle on one side of the fuel dispenser.
The different inlet interface components and/or the outlet interface component may be cast or sintered in a metallic material or composite material.
This provides a cost efficient production, but of course the interface components may be made of several different parts mounted together.
According to another aspect of the invention, a description is provided for a system according to claim 13.
A system having two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component provides the advantages discussed above, and this system may be combined with any variant of inlet and outlet interfaces described above, including how they are positioned in relation to other components.
According to other aspects of the invention, fuel dispensing units are provided comprising at least one of the above described inlet interface components, and/or at least one of the above described outlet interface component. The dispensing units also comprise the variants of how interface components in relation to other components are positioned.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of a system for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit,
Fig. 2a and 2b are perspective views of two embodiments of the inlet interface component,
Fig. 3a and 3b are perspective views of two further embodiments of the inlet interface component,
Fig. 4a and 4b are partially exploded perspective views of two embodiments of the outlet interface component,
Fig. 5a and 5b are perspective views of the two connection positions of the volume metering housing,
Fig. 6a and 6b are perspective views of a further embodiment of the inlet interface component,
Fig. 7 is a schematic view of a fuel dispensing unit,
Fig. 8a-8d are schematic cross-sectional views of variants of the inlet interface component, and
Fig. 9a-9c are schematic cross-sectional views of variants of the outlet interface component.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

Fig. 1 and 7 illustrate a fuel meter system 2 for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit 1 having a first side A and a second side B. The system 2 comprises a fuel volume metering housing 3 having an inlet side 4, an outlet side 5, and two independently operable volume metering chambers 6a, 6b connecting the inlet side 4 and the outlet side 5. An inlet interface component 7 is connected to the inlet side 4 of the fuel volume metering housing 3, and an outlet interface component 8 is connected to the outlet side 5 of the fuel volume metering housing 3, and thereby the inlets and outlets of the volume metering chambers 6a, 6b are covered by the interface components 7, 8. Metering means 13 are arranged in a metering chamber 6a, 6b, and have the form of a screw spindle counter adapted to generate electronic pulses corresponding to the fuel flow rate when dispensing fuel from the dispensing unit 1. Optionally two metering means are arranged in respective metering chamber, as described below. One metering chamber 6a associated with the first side A of the dispenser 1 is, via the outlet interface component 8 and a fuel hose 20a, connected to a dispenser nozzle 21a. The same metering chamber 6a is upstream, via the inlet interface component 7 and an upstream fuel line 23a, connected to a fuel tank 22a. In case of a fuel dispenser 1 capable of dispensing fuel from the second side B, the other metering chamber 6b is correspondingly associated with a nozzle 21b, hose 20b, an upstream fuel line 23b and fuel tank 22b. The upstream fuel lines 23a, 23b incorporate pumping means (not shown) for transporting the fuel, and the fuel dispenser 1 has control means (not shown) for controlling the dispenser 1 and flow of fuel.
When fuel is dispensed from the fuel dispensing unit, the fuel flow enters the inlet interface component 7 via the upstream fuel line 23a, 23b, passes the inlet interface component 7 and enters the fuel volume metering housing 3 on its inlet side 4. Next the fuel flows through the metering chambers 6a, 6b, which causes a rotation of the metering means 13, and then the fuel exits the volume metering housing 3 via its outlet side 5. After this the fuel enters the outlet interface component 8, and finally exits the outlet opening 16 of the outlet interface component 8, which outlet is connected to the fuel hose 20a, 20b.
Inlet and outlet interface components 7, 8 are preferably made of a cast or sintered metal alloy, a composite material and/or a combination thereof. The interface components 7, 8 are typically directly mounted to the metering housing 3 by means of convectional machine screws (not shown), preferably with elastomeric sealing members in-between.
Fig. 2a and 2b illustrates two variants 9, 10 of the inlet interface component 7, were the one variant 9 has one fuel port 18 that is common for both metering chambers 6a, 6b of the volume metering housing 3. The other variant 10, on the other hand, has two independent fuel ports 18a, 18b connected to one metering chamber 6a, 6b respectively, for purpose of keeping different fuel types separated. Of course, in case of the latter variant, the fuel lines 23a, 23b upstream the fuel ports 18a, 18b are separated all the way from the fuel tanks 22a, 22b, while the former variant 9 has a common inlet. Since fuel are passing both metering chambers 6a, 6b, metering means 13 are arranged in both chambers 6a, 6b. For the variants described, fuel exit the outlet interface component still separated and flows to respective fuel nozzle 21a, 21b.
Fig. 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b illustrate another variant were fuel flows only through one of the metering chambers 6a, 6b, and metering means 13 are arranged only in said one metering chamber 6a or 6b. The other chamber is blocked, either i) by a blocked fuel port in the inlet interface component, ii) by the chamber 6a or 6b being blocked, or iii) by the outlet interface component not providing an inlet for the fuel. This variant is used when fuel shall be directed to the first side A of the fuel dispenser, and by changing what port is blocked, fuel is directed to the second side B of the dispenser, thus providing a fourth variant. By arranging a connection component 19 on an interface component 7 having a fuel port common for both metering chambers, the port may be converted to a single port for fuel communication with only one chamber.
When a fuel port of an inlet interface component is provided for only one metering chamber 6a, 6b, and by associating fuel dispenser sides A, B with the chambers, it is possible, by correctly flipping and mounting corresponding metering chamber to the fuel port, to utilize the same inlet interface component for both dispenser sides. The fuel volume metering housing 3 is flipped between two positions P1 and P2 as illustrated in Fig. 5a and 5b.
Fig. 3a and 3b illustrate two variants of the inlet interface component 7 having the form of a fuel dispensing unit element 11 and a fuel pumping device 12. The basic differences are the downstream connection configurations of the inlet interface component 7, while the configuration of the connection to the fuel metering housing 3 remains the same. These two variant may be freely combined with the four variants described above.
Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate two variants of the outlet interface component 8, where one outlet interface variant 14 has one fuel exit opening 16 for each metering chamber, and a the other outlet interface variant 15 has in addition one check valve opening 17. These two variants may be freely combined with any of the variants described above.
To schematically illustrate the different variants of inlet interface components, Fig. 8a shows a first inlet interface variant 7a having an inlet 24a and two outlets 25a, 25b, said inlet 24a is connected to the outlets 25a, 25b via a branch 27.
Fig. 8b shows a second inlet interface variant 7b having two inlets 24a, 24b and two outlets 25a, 25b Respective inlet 24a, 24b is connected to a respective outlet 25a, 25b via a respective channel 26a, 26b.
Fig. 8c shows a third inlet interface variant 7c having an inlet 24a and only one outlet 25a. The inlet 24 a is connected to the outlet 25a via a channel 26a.
Fig. 8d shows a fourth inlet interface variant 7d having two inlets 24a, 24b and only one outlet 25a. The inlets 24a, 24b are connected to the outlet 25a via a branch 27.
The four variants 7a-7d of the inlet interface component 7 have their outlet(s) 25a, 25b arranged for being connectable to the volume metering chambers 6a, 6b on the inlet side 4 of the volume metering housing 3. In case of only one outlet, corresponding metering chamber 6a, 6b is blocked.
To schematically illustrate the different variants of outlet interface components, Fig. 9a shows a first outlet interface variant 8a having two inlets 24a, 24b and two outlets 25a, 25b, said respective outlet 25a, 25b are connected to a respective inlet 24a, 24b via a respective channel 26a, 26b.
Fig. 9b shows a second outlet interface variant 8b having an inlet 24a and only one outlet 25a, said outlet 25a is connected to the inlet via a channel 26a.
Fig. 9b shows a third outlet interface variant 8c having two inlets 24a, 24b and only one outlet 25a, said inlets 24a, 24b are connected to the outlet 25a via a branch 27.
The three variants 8a-8c of the outlet interface component 8 have their inlet(s) 24a, 24b arranged for being connectable to the volume metering chambers 6a, 6b on the outlet side 5 of the volume metering housing 3. In case of only one inlet, corresponding metering chamber 6a, 6b is blocked.

Claims

A system for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit, the system comprising:
a fuel volume metering housing (3) having an inlet side (4), an outlet side (5), and two independently operable volume metering chambers (6a, 6b) connecting the inlet side (4) and the outlet side (5),

an inlet interface component (7), connectable to the inlet side (4) of the fuel volume metering housing (3), and

an outlet interface component (8), connectable to the outlet side (5) of the fuel volume metering housing (3),
wherein the system (2) comprises at least two mutually different variants of the inlet interface component (7), which are interchangeably connectable to the inlet side (4) of the fuel volume metering housing (3).
A system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two mutually different variants of the inlet interface component (7) are any two of:
a first inlet interface variant (7a) having an inlet and two outlets, said inlet connected to the outlets via a branch, and said outlets each being connectable to a respective one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b),

a second inlet interface variant (7b) having two inlets and two outlets, said respective inlet connected to a respective outlet via a respective channel, and said outlets each being connectable to a respective one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b),

a third inlet interface variant (7c) having an inlet and only one outlet, said inlet connected to the outlet via a channel, said outlet being connectable to one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b), and

a fourth inlet interface variant (7d) having two inlets and only one outlet, said inlets connected to the outlet via a branch, said outlet being connectable to one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b).
A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least two mutually different variants of the inlet interface component (7) further comprise:
a first inlet interface variant (11) having the form of a piping component for connecting at least one fuel conduit to the volume metering housing (3), and

a second inlet interface variant (12) having the form of a fuel pump section for connecting a fuel pump to the volume metering housing (3).
A system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the fuel volume metering housing (3) is connectable to the inlet interface component (7) in at least two mutually different positions (P1, P2), said volume metering housing (3) and inlet interface component (7) in the second position (P2) being rotated 180° relative to each other as compared to the first position (P1).
A system according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the system (2) comprises at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component (8), which are interchangeably connectable to the outlet side (5) of the fuel volume metering housing (3).
A system according to claim 5, wherein the at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component (8) are any two of:
a first outlet interface variant (8a) having two inlets and two outlets, said respective outlet connected to a respective inlet via a respective channel, and said inlets each being connectable to a respective one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b),

a second outlet interface variant (8b) having an inlet and only one outlet, said outlet connected to the inlet via a channel, said inlet being connectable to one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b), and

a third outlet interface variant (8c) having two inlets and only one outlet, said inlets connected to the outlet via a branch, said inlets being connectable to a respective one of the volume metering chambers (6a, 6b).
A system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein one of the at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component (7) comprises at least one check valve opening or check and release valve opening (17).
A system according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the fuel volume metering housing (3) is connectable to the outlet interface component (8) in at least two different mutual positions, said volume metering housing (3) and outlet interface component (8) in the second position being rotated 180° relative to each other as compared to the first position.
A system according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein only one of the independently operable volume metering chambers (6a; 6b) is provided with metering means (13) for generating a volume metering signal.
A system according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein the independently operable volume metering chambers (6a, 6b) both are provided with a respective metering means (13), each metering means (13) generating a respective volume metering signal.
A system according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the outlet interface component is connected to an outlet interface component of another fuel volume metering housing, for the purpose of common fuel communication.
A system according to any one of claims 1-11, wherein the inlet interface component (7) and/or the outlet interface component (8) are cast or sintered in a metallic material or composite material.
A system for providing a fuel meter in a fuel dispensing unit, the system comprising:
a fuel volume metering housing (3) having an inlet side (4), an outlet side (5), and two independently operable volume metering chambers (6a, 6b) connecting the inlet side (4) and the outlet side (5),

an inlet interface component (7), connectable to the inlet side (4) of the fuel volume metering housing (3), and

an outlet interface component (8), connectable to the outlet side (5) of the fuel volume metering housing (3),
wherein the system (2) comprises at least two mutually different variants of the outlet interface component (8), which are interchangeably connectable to the outlet side (5) of the fuel volume metering housing (3).
A fuel dispensing unit comprising at least one inlet interface component according to any one of claims 1-4.
A fuel dispensing unit comprising at least one outlet interface component according to any one of claims 5-8 and 13.