EP1035071B1 - Distributeur de carburant avec dispositif de coupure lors de la présence de liquide dans la conduite de récupération de vapeurs - Google Patents

Distributeur de carburant avec dispositif de coupure lors de la présence de liquide dans la conduite de récupération de vapeurs Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1035071B1
EP1035071B1 EP00104016A EP00104016A EP1035071B1 EP 1035071 B1 EP1035071 B1 EP 1035071B1 EP 00104016 A EP00104016 A EP 00104016A EP 00104016 A EP00104016 A EP 00104016A EP 1035071 B1 EP1035071 B1 EP 1035071B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fuel
flow
line
vapour
chamber
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP00104016A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1035071A1 (fr
Inventor
Alessandro Barucci
Luciano Fioravanti
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gilbarco Italia SRL
Original Assignee
Gilbarco Srl
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gilbarco Srl filed Critical Gilbarco Srl
Publication of EP1035071A1 publication Critical patent/EP1035071A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
    • B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
    • B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
    • B67D7/0476—Vapour recovery systems
    • B67D7/0478—Vapour recovery systems constructional features or components
    • B67D7/0488—Means for preventing the formation of condensation on, or for removing condensation from, vapour recovery lines

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a fuel dispensing system, particularly but not exclusively for use on a forecourt for refuelling road vehicles, which system aims to prevent the return, fraudulently or otherwise, through the vapour recovery pipe of the dispenser of fuel which has already been registered as having been dispensed to a customer.
  • Fuel dispensers for refuelling road vehicles may be required, due to regulations for environmental protection and health reasons, to employ a system for recovering the vapours released from a vehicle's fuel tank during refuelling.
  • This system forms part of a more extensive process for the recovery of fuel vapour which may be released throughout all stages of fuel movement from the refinery depots to the tanks of the roadside stations and from these to the vehicle fuel tanks.
  • This process is intended to limit the vapour emissions by providing a closed loop during the transportation and delivery of the fuel, such that each time fuel is dispensed from one tank to another, the vapours displaced from the tank being filled are returned to the other tank replacing the fuel removed.
  • a vapour recovery system usually comprises a fuel delivery nozzle fitted with a suitable vapour collector, a coaxial delivery hose in which the centre pipe carries the collected vapour to be returned and the outer pipe carries the fuel to be delivered, a union isolating the fuel from the vapour, a suction pump for the vapour, connecting pipework between the isolator and the pump, preferably means for controlling the return of vapours in dependence on the quantity of fuel dispensed, and optionally an arrangement for indicating irregularities in the system.
  • the output of the vapour collecting pump is connected by underground pipework to the top of the fuel delivery tank.
  • the pipe work for conveying the vapour, together with the pipe carrying the fuel, provides the closed loop between the service station tank and the fuel tank of the vehicle.
  • the vapour and the fuel are conveyed through independent and separate pipes.
  • the union and coaxial hose isolation is achieved by means of O-ring seals.
  • O-ring seals Unfortunately, any damage or leakage at these seals leads to a loss of fuel from the fuel line to the vapour return line. This fuel, which has already been metered by the dispenser indicator and will be charged to the customer, flows back via the vapour return line to the fuel storage tank and therefore could constitute fraud.
  • a fuel dispensing system comprising a fuel delivery line and vapour recovery line connected between a delivery nozzle of the dispenser and a fuel storage tank, characterised in comprising means for detecting the flow of fuel along the vapour recovery line and means for preventing the flow of fuel detected through the vapour line back to the fuel storage tank.
  • Detection as used in the context of the present specification is to be interpreted to include detection within the detection device itself even if this detection is not communicated externally of the device.
  • Detection may be by a device fitted with a magnetic switch which operates when a magnet, integral with a float, rises with the latter and thereby allows suitable sensors to control the stopping of the vapour recovery pump or the fuel dispenser, while providing a fault indication.
  • detection may be by the means for preventing the flow of fuel blocking the flow of fuel.
  • Employing the present invention prevents the transfer of liquid to the main tank and thereby prevents fraud.
  • a further advantage of the invention is that it can be inserted into dispensers fitted with a vapour recovery system either of the mechanical type, that is in which the control system operates on the pressure which the fuel applies to a suitable mechanism, or of the electronic type, that is in which the control system operates on the electrical signal of the dispenser pulse generator.
  • Another advantage of the invention is that it ensures that fuel cannot flow through the vapour line when the vapour recovery system is deactivated. Even if inoperative, the suction pump does not impede the passage of liquid and therefore does not prevent fuel flow in the vapour lines.
  • the means for detecting the flow of fuel along the vapour recovery line comprises a chamber in the vapour recovery line in which chamber fuel returning along the vapour recovery line accumulates, said flow of fuel being prevented when the fuel in said chamber reaches a predetermined level.
  • the means for detecting the flow of fuel and means for preventing the flow of fuel comprises a float which rises on fuel accumulating in the chamber until it blocks an outlet to the vapour recovery line from the chamber to the fuel storage tank.
  • This arrangement will automatically close the vapour recovery line and is tamper resistant, not relying on any electrical inputs, and is capable of being a sealed unit.
  • said chamber has a drain outlet to drain any fuel accumulated in the chamber as this can provide a reset function.
  • This drain may be connected to the system in a number of ways.
  • One particularly advantageous implementation has the drain outlet connected to a low flow Venturi device in the fuel delivery line downstream of a fuel delivery meter. This permits fuel at low flow rates to be accepted into the chamber without triggering a detection, whilst returning that metered fuel back to the fuel delivery line downstream of the meter such that no fraud can occur. However fuel must be being delivered to provide a reset once a detection has occurred.
  • the drain outlet may be connected to a high flow drain line connected to the vapour return inlet of the suction pump or a high flow Venturi device in the vapour return line or fuel delivery line, the drain line having a valve arranged to be normally closed and opened in order to provide a reset when fuel flow in the vapour recovery line has been detected.
  • the detection means can be quickly reset on application of a control signal to the valve in the drain line, and where the drain is connected to the inlet of a suction pump can be cleared without fuel being dispensed or vapour collected at the delivery nozzle.
  • High flow in this context means at a rate greater than that at which fuel accumulation would be acceptable.
  • FIG. 1 shows a preferred form of implementation of a valve (100) in accordance with the invention which, as shown in Figure 2, is connected by means of primary pipework (102) to the vapour recovery line of the hose (104) of a delivery nozzle (107) and through secondary pipework (106) to a suction pump (105) which returns vapours to tank (110).
  • the nozzle (107) is also connected to a fuel line (103), within and coaxial with the line (102) in the common section within the hose (104) up to the union (109).
  • the valve (100) comprises a cylindrical cup (1) fitted with guides (2) within which slides a float (3).
  • the cup has a cover (4) in which are the input aperture (5) (to be connected to the vapour line (102) coming from the delivery nozzle), the output aperture (6) (to be connected to the vapour line (106) which goes to the suction pump) and the mounting point (7) for fixing to the dispenser framework.
  • a third aperture (14) is provided connected to loop pipe (13), the aperture when connected to a low pressure drain line removes any fuel accumulating in cup 1 via loop pipe (13).
  • the cover is screwed on to the cup and sealing is implemented by means of the O-ring seal (8).
  • the float rising and sealing output aperture (6) prevents the fuel from making its way towards the suction pump and thus blocks the flow preventing possible fraud.
  • any small accumulation of fuel due to condensation or accumulated as a result of successive "topping off" of a tank at the nozzle for example, will be removed via drain aperture (14) preventing any false alarms.
  • the float (3) can be of differing height relative to the cup (1), depending on the sensitivity required of the device. The greater the sensitivity required, the greater the height of the float so that a very small flow of fuel in excess of that removed via the drain aperture may be enough to close the valve.
  • a magnet (11) which is associated with a magnetic proximity sensor (12) attached to the bottom of the cup.
  • the sensor (12) allows the rise of the float to create an electrical signal which can be utilised to shut off the dispenser or the suction pump, or again to show that shut-off has occurred.
  • valve (100) is located immediately upstream from the suction pump (105), and the wire from the magnetic switch is taken to the distribution box (not shown in the diagram), from which the signal can be passed to the indicator panel or to the electrical control board of the dispenser to shut down the dispenser or to indicate the potential fraud.
  • Figure 2 also illustrates drain line (150) connecting the drain aperture (14) of valve (100) to a low flow Venturi device (151) in the fuel delivery line such that the flow of fuel there through causes small quantities of fuel accumulating in valve (100) to be removed and returned to the delivery pipe downstream of the meter (152) any fuel so accumulated only being metered once before being dispensed.
  • the Venturi device may be of any suitable design such as for example that disclosed in US 4,687,033.
  • the valve normally allows free flow of the vapour drawn in by the pump, since in these conditions the float remains at the bottom of the cup. If instead the vapour line is subjected to a flow of fuel, the valve closes off its outlet towards the suction pump by means of its shut-off valve as a result of the raising of the float.
  • the magnet fixed to the float closes or opens the circuit which provides for stopping delivery, shutting off the suction pump, or simply indicating that the device has operated.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Loading And Unloading Of Fuel Tanks Or Ships (AREA)
  • Fuel-Injection Apparatus (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Système de distribution de carburant comportant une conduite de fourniture de carburant et une conduite de récupération de vapeur reliées entre un bec de distribution du distributeur et un réservoir de stockage de carburant, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens destinés à détecter l'écoulement de carburant le long de la conduite de récupération de vapeur et des moyens destinés à empêcher l'écoulement de carburant détecté, à travers la conduite de vapeur jusqu'à la cuve de stockage de carburant.
  2. Système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel les moyens de soupape (100) sont reliés entre le bec de distribution (107) et une pompe d'aspiration (105).
  3. Système selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans lequel les moyens destinés à empêcher l'écoulement de carburant comprennent des moyens (3, 9, 10) destinés à bloquer l'écoulement de carburant.
  4. Système selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel les moyens (100) destinés à détecter l'écoulement de carburant le long de la conduite de récupération de vapeur (102) comportent une chambre (1) dans la conduite de récupération de vapeur (1), le carburant qui retourne le long de la conduite de récupération de vapeur (102) s'accumulant dans cette chambre (1), ledit écoulement de carburant étant empêché lorsque le carburant dans ladite chambre (1) atteint un niveau prédéterminé.
  5. Système selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les moyens (100) destinés à détecter l'écoulement de carburant et les moyens destinés à empêcher l'écoulement de carburant comportent un flotteur (3) qui monte sur le carburant qui s'accumule dans la chambre (1) jusqu'à ce qu'il bloque une sortie (6) de la conduite de récupération de vapeur (106) de la chambre (1) vers la cuve de stockage de carburant (110).
  6. Système selon la revendication 4 ou la revendication 5, dans lequel ladite chambre (1) a une sortie de purge (13, 14) afin de purger tout carburant accumulé dans la chambre (1).
  7. Système selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ladite sortie de purge (13, 14) est reliée à un dispositif à venturi à faible écoulement (151) dans la conduite de fourniture de carburant (103) en aval d'un dispositif de dosage de carburant (152).
  8. Système selon la revendication 6, dans lequel la sortie de purge (13, 14) est reliée à une conduite de purge à écoulement important reliée à l'entrée de retour de vapeur de la pompe d'aspiration ou à un dispositif à venturi à écoulement important dans la conduite de retour de vapeur ou la conduite de fourniture de carburant, la conduite de purge ayant une soupape prévue pour être normalement fermée et ouverte afin de procurer une réinitialisation lorsque l'écoulement de carburant dans la conduits de récupération de vapeur a été détecté.
  9. Système selon l'uns quelconque des revendications précédentes, comportant des moyens (11, 12) destinés à indiquer l'apparition de cet écoulement de carburant.
  10. Système selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel les moyens de détection comportent une soupape (100), se composant d'une chambre cylindrique verticale (1) équipée de guides (2) à l'intérieur desquels coulisse un flotteur (3), la chambre étant équipée d'un couvercle étanche (4) sur lequel sont disposées une ouverture d'entrée (5) reliée à une section principale (102) de la conduite de vapeur et une ouverture de sortie reliée à la conduite de vapeur (106) qui conduit à la pompe d'aspiration (105), le flotteur (3) étant équipé d'une soupape de fermeture à aiguille (9), avec un joint (10), qui ferme l'ouverture de sortie (6) du fait que le flotteur (3) se soulève à cause du carburant provenant de la conduite de récupération de vapeur (102) recueilli dans la chambre (1).
  11. Système selon les revendications 9 et 10, dans lequel les moyens d'indication comportent un aimant (11) disposé sur le fond du flotteur (3) en association avec un capteur de proximité magnétique (12) fixé sur la base de la chambre (1).
  12. Système selon l'uns quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel un signal de sortie des moyens de détection est relié à la tête d'indication ou au panneau de commande électrique du système de distribution de carburant afin d'arrêter la fourniture de carburant en réponse à la détection d'écoulement de carburant dans la conduite de récupération de vapeur.
  13. Distributeur de carburant comprenant un système selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 1 à 12.
EP00104016A 1999-03-05 2000-02-25 Distributeur de carburant avec dispositif de coupure lors de la présence de liquide dans la conduite de récupération de vapeurs Expired - Lifetime EP1035071B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITFI990039 1999-03-05
IT1999FI000039A IT1310013B1 (it) 1999-03-05 1999-03-05 Dispositivo di blocco per erogatori di carburante

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1035071A1 EP1035071A1 (fr) 2000-09-13
EP1035071B1 true EP1035071B1 (fr) 2002-11-20

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00104016A Expired - Lifetime EP1035071B1 (fr) 1999-03-05 2000-02-25 Distributeur de carburant avec dispositif de coupure lors de la présence de liquide dans la conduite de récupération de vapeurs

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EP (1) EP1035071B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE60000797D1 (fr)
IT (1) IT1310013B1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITMI991293A1 (it) * 1999-06-10 2000-12-10 Nuovo Pignone Spa Disponsitivo per impedire il riflusso di combustibile attraverso una linea di ritorno di vapori di combustibile
DE102004009643A1 (de) 2004-02-27 2005-09-15 Fafnir Gmbh Lüftungsmast-Überwachungssystem für Tankstellen

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4687033A (en) 1984-03-15 1987-08-18 Gilbarco, Inc. Venturi liquid evacuator system for maintaining clear vapor path in vapor recovery hose
DE4037066C2 (de) * 1990-11-22 2000-03-23 Duerr Dental Gmbh Co Kg Einrichtung zum Rückführen von Benzindämpfen
DE4139844A1 (de) * 1991-02-03 1993-06-24 Fritz Curtius Verfahren zum entfernen des kondensates eines benzindampf/luftgemisches, welches in einer gasrueckfuehrleitung anfaellt

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1035071A1 (fr) 2000-09-13
DE60000797D1 (de) 2003-01-02
ITFI990039A1 (it) 2000-09-05
IT1310013B1 (it) 2002-02-05
ITFI990039A0 (it) 1999-03-05

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