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
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/84—Casings, cabinets or frameworks; Trolleys or like movable supports
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a fuel dispensing unit for refuelling vehicles having a pivotable door.
• a fuel dispensing unit for refuelling the fuel tank of a motor vehicle with fuel is a complex device containing a vast number of components connected to each other.
• the components of a fuel dispensing unit can be divided into two categories, inner components which are not visual to a user and outer components surrounding the inner components.
• the inner components typically comprise hydraulics and a tube arrangement for dispensing fuel from an underground fuel reservoir, together with electronic components
• the outer components such as a base module, a top module, pillars, a nozzle module etc, represent the fundamental structure of the fuel dispensing unit protecting and supporting the inner components.
• the inner components In order to ensure correct function of, and to allow maintenance of the inner components, the inner components must be accessible when the fuel dispensing unit is assembled and is in use. Especially, the hydraulics arranged inside the base module must be easily accessible.
• the rectangular/quadrangular unit having a front side, a rear side and two opposing end sides connecting said front and rear sides.
• the fuel dispensing unit is arranged to serve vehicles on two driving lanes, the front and rear sides are each facing a driving lane.
• the longitudinal extension of said sides essentially corresponds to the extension of said driving lanes. If only intended to serve vehicles on one driving lane, said front side is intended to face said lane.
• each end side is strictly geometrically divided into a first and a second portion respectively, said portions extending across the wall section forming said end side, from the front side to the rear side.
• the term "side" used in connection with front, rear or end is meant to be understood as a curve section forming the circumference of such cross section.
• a fuel dispensing unit for refuelling vehicles comprising a base module comprising a housing having a front side, a rear side and end sides connecting said front and rear sides, said housing being enclosed by wall sections. At least a first of said wall sections forms a first door, wherein said first door is extending along at least a portion of the front side or the rear side and at least a first portion of one of the end sides, said first door being pivotable towards a second portion of said one of the end sides.
• An advantage of the present invention is that the accessibility to the inner components located inside the base module, such as hydraulics, is improved. Since the first door is extending along at least a portion of the front or rear side, and along at least a portion of one of the end sides, access to the inside of the base module is provided from at least two sides
• the working position for a person performing for example maintenance of the fuel dispensing unit is improved and a more ergonomic working position is provided.
• the first door is openable to an open position wherein the first door can extend in a direction that can be essentially parallel to the longitudinal horizontal direction of the front or rear side of the housing and extend at a distance from the front or rear side of the housing.
• the first door is in its open position kept away from a driving lane normally passing by the fuel dispensing unit along the front or rear side of its housing. Consequently, the risk is reduced that the first door is damaged or that any car risks colliding with the first door.
• At least a second of said wall sections may form a second door, said second door extending along at least a portion of the front side or the rear side and at least a first portion of one of the end sides, said second door being pivotable towards a second portion of said one of the end sides.
• Arranging a second door further improves the accessibility to the inside of the base module.
• the second door is extending along a portion of a front or rear side of the housing and along a portion of one of the end sides, the advantages discussed above are applicable also for the second door.
• the first and second doors may both be arranged to extend along at least a portion of either the front side or the rear side. In one embodiment, wherein the first and second doors in addition are extending along different end sides, access is provided to both end sides of the housing.
• the first door may be arranged to extend along at least a portion of the front side and the second door may be arranged to extend along at least a portion of the rear side.
• access to the inner components of the base module is provided both from the front side and the rear side, thereby further improving the accessibility of components located inside the base module.
• the first and second doors may be pivotable towards the same or towards opposing end sides of said housing. If the first and second doors are pivotable towards the same end side, it is possible to reach components arranged along said end side. Further, if the first and second doors are pivotable towards opposing end sides, it is possible to reach components arranged along both end sides.
• At least one of said doors may be extending along at least a portion of both end sides.
• such door has a U-shaped shape as seen from above. The U-shaped shape further improves the accessibility to the inside of the base module, since when the door is opened, access is provided from both end sides of the housing.
• the first and second doors may each be pivotable about a first axis of rotation extending in a vertical direction and arranged along the end side of the housing. Such first axis of rotation is arranged in the transition between the first and second portions of said end sides.
• the first axis of rotation may, in view of a vertical centre plane intersecting said opposing end sides, be horizontally offset in the longitudinal extension of the end sides, in relation to said vertical centre plane.
• the portion of the end side being opened can be adapted.
• the ratio between the first and second portions of an end side may be adapted.
• the larger ratio, the larger opening is provided along the end side.
• the first portion of the end side forming part of a door may have a larger horizontal extension than the second portion of said end side.
• a larger portion of the end side can be opened and the accessibility to the inner components is further improved.
• At least one of said doors may be pivotable about at least a second axis of rotation extending in a vertical direction located on each door.
• the door is pivotable both towards one of the side ends and about an axis located on the door leaf, thus making handling of the open door easier and requiring less space around the fuel dispensing unit when opening the door.
• a second axis of rotation means that the door leaf is foldable.
• the fuel dispensing unit may further comprise a locking means for locking each door in an open position. Thereby, the risk is reduced that the door is unintentionally closed during work.
• the fuel dispensing unit may further comprise a sealing arranged between each door and adjacent wall sections. Thereby, the base module is sealed such that no moist or harmful substances reach the inside of the base module.
• Fig 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a fuel dispensing unit according to a first embodiment of the invention.
• Fig 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the fuel dispensing unit of fig 1 in an opened position.
• Fig 3 shows a schematic view of the fuel dispensing unit of fig 2 as seen from above.
• Fig 4 shows a schematic view of the fuel dispensing unit of fig 2 as seen from above and wherein a second door is opened.
• Fig 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a door leaf before being assembled to the fuel dispensing unit of figs 1 -4.
• Fig 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a fuel dispensing unit according to a second embodiment of the invention.
• Fig 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the fuel dispensing unit of fig 6 in an opened position.
• Fig 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a door leaf before being assembled to the fuel dispensing unit of figs 6-7.
• Fig 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a fuel dispensing unit according to a third embodiment of the invention.
• Fig 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the fuel dispensing unit of fig 9 in an opened position.
• Fig 1 1 shows a schematic view of the fuel dispensing unit as seen from above having a pivotable door leaf.
• the fuel dispensing unit 1 comprises a base module 2, an electronics module (not visible), two nozzle modules 3, two column modules 4, a top module 5 and an user interface module 6.
• the base module 2 contains hydraulics 100 of the fuel dispensing unit 1 , such as fuel metering means, valves, pumps, vapour recovery system, etc.
• the basic shape of the base module 2 is rectangular, but any shape is possible.
• the base module is symmetrical around a vertical centre plane P intersecting the two end sides 1 1 , 13, see fig 3. Thereby, the fuel dispensing unit 1 can serve vehicles passing driving lanes on two opposite sides of the unit.
• the base module 2 is formed of a housing 2a having a front side 10, a rear side 12 and two end sides 1 1 , 13 connecting the front and the rear sides 10, 12.
• the front side 10 is meant the side of the housing 2a normally facing a driving lane where vehicles are passing along the fuel dispensing unit 1 in the longitudinal direction of the base module 2. Since the disclosed unit 1 is symmetrical, the front side 10 may be facing one driving lane, and the rear side 12 may be facing another driving lane. It is to be understood that the unit 1 must not be symmetrical.
• the housing 2a of the base module 2 is formed by wall sections forming an enclosure.
• the wall sections are roughly formed by a hydraulic frame 7, two side panels 8, a vapour barrier 9 (which is visible in fig 2), a first door 20 and a second door 30.
• the base module 2 comprises both a first and a second door 20, 30, but a person skilled in the art easily understands that the invention in its most simple embodiment may only comprise a first door 20. In such a simple embodiment, the second door 30 may be replaced by a wall panel.
• the wall section forming an end side 1 1 can in its longitudinal horizontal direction, extending between the front and rear sides 10, 12, be divided into a first and a second portion 1 1 a, 1 1 b.
• the wall section forming the opposite end side 13 can in its longitudinal, horizontal direction be divided into a first and a second portion 13a, 13b.
• first portions 1 1 a and 13a forms part of the door 20.
• the first door 20 comprises a first door leaf 21 extending along the front side 10 of the housing 2a, along a first portion 1 1 a of a first end side 1 1 and along a first portion 13a of a second end side 13.
• the first door leaf 21 is pivotable about a first axis of rotation 14 extending in a vertical direction and arranged along one of the end sides 1 1 , 13. In the disclosed embodiment it is arranged on the second end side 13. Accordingly, in the disclosed embodiment the first door leaf 21 is pivotable towards a second portion 13b of said second end side 13, such that the first door leaf 21 is openable.
• the first door leaf 21 may for example be hingedly suspended.
• the first axis of rotation 14 is horizontally offset in the longitudinal extension of the end side 13 in view of the vertical centre plane P intersecting the opposite end sides 1 1 , 13.
• the first portion 1 1 a of the end side 1 1 has a smaller horizontal extension than the second portion 1 1 b of the end side 1 1 .
• this offset distance may be adjusted, and in another embodiment (not shown), the first axis of rotation 14 may be centrically located on the end side, i.e. coinciding with the vertical centre plane P.
• the first portion 1 1 1 a, 13a of the end side 1 1 , 13 may have a larger horizontal extension than the second portion 1 1 b, 13b. Thereby, an even larger opening is formed when the door 20 is opened.
• the ratio between the horizontal extension of the first and second portions 1 1 a, 1 1 b; 13a, 13b determines the opening formed on the end side 1 1 , 13 when the door 20 is opened. The larger ratio, the larger opening is formed.
• figs 2 and 3 showing the fuel dispensing unit 1 when the first door 20 is opened.
• the components such as hydraulics 100 arranged inside the base module 2 are visible.
• the basic structure of the base module 2 comprising the hydraulic frame 7, the side panels 8 and the vapour barrier 9 is also visible.
• the first door leaf 21 has been turned about the first axis of rotation 14 in order to open the door 20. Consequently, access is provided to the inside of the base module 2.
• the first door 20 is extending in a direction being essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the front side 10 of the housing 2a in its open position.
• the first door 20 is pivotable towards the end side 13. Since the fuel dispensing unit in the shown embodiment is symmetrical around the vertical centre plane P, it is to be understood that the first axis of rotation, with the remained function, can be arranged on the first end side 1 1 .
• the first door 20 is extending along a portion of a first end side 1 1 , along the front side 10 and along a portion of a second end side 13. Thereby, the first door has a door leaf 21 having an essentially U-shaped shape.
• the U-shaped shape of the first door leaf 21 further facilitates access to the components 100 arranged inside the base module 2.
• the U-shaped shape of the first door leaf 21 is better disclosed in fig 3, which shows the fuel dispensing unit 1 as seen from above.
• the first door leaf 21 is formed of a first part 22 adapted to extend along a first portion 1 1 a of the first end side 1 1 , a second part 23 adapted to extend along the front 10, and a third part 24 adapted to extend along a first portion 13b of the second end side 13.
• the door leaf 21 does not protrude outside an imaginary boundary line extending in the longitudinal direction of the front side 10 of the housing 2a. Thereby, the opened door leaf 21 does not hinder passage by vehicles in front of the fuel dispensing unit 1 .
• Fig 3 also discloses that any components 100 arranged inside the base module 2 (not visible in fig 3) may be reached from the front side 10 and from a portion of both end sides 1 1 , 13 of the housing 2a.
• Fig 4 shows an embodiment of the fuel dispensing unit 1 comprising a first door 20 having a first door leaf 21 and a second door 30 having a second door leaf 31 .
• the first door 20, which has the same design as the first door 20 previously described, extends in its closed position along a portion of the first end side 1 1 , along the front side 10 and along a portion of the second end side 13.
• the first door leaf 21 is hingedly suspended to the second end side 13 of the housing 2a and is thus pivotable towards a second portion 13b of the second end side 13.
• the second door 30 has the same essentially U-shaped shape as the first door 20.
• the second door 30, comprising a second door leaf 31 , extends in its closed position along a portion of the second end side 13, along the rear side 12 and along a portion of the first end side 1 1 .
• the second door leaf 31 is formed of a first part 32 adapted to extend along a portion of the second end side 13, a second part 33 adapted to extend along the rear side 12, and a third part 34 adapted to extend along a portion of the first end side 1 1 .
• the second door leaf 31 is hingedly suspended to the first end side 1 1 of the housing 2a, and is thus pivotable towards a second portion of the first end side 1 1 .
• the inner components 100 may be reached both from the front and rear sides 10,12 and from a large part of the end sides 1 1 , 13.
• Fig 5 discloses the first door leaf 21 before being assembled to the base module 2. It is to be understood that a second door leaf 31 can have the same overall design.
• the door leaf 21 comprises a chamfered portion 25 in its upper and lower part. This chamfering, mainly being a design feature also contributes to the strength of the door. The chamfering can be omitted.
• the door leaf 21 may also comprise a flanged portion (not disclosed) along its free edges 26, also contributing to the strength.
• a sealing (not shown) may be arranged along the edges of the door leaf 21 or on the base module 2.
• the fuel dispensing unit 1 ' comprises a base module 2, an electronics module (not visible), a nozzle module 3, a top module 5 and a user interface module 6.
• the base module 2 contains the hydraulics 100 of the fuel dispensing unit, such as fuel metering means, valves, pumps, vapour recovery system, etc.
• the base module 2 is formed of a housing 2a having a front side 10, a rear side 12 and end sides 1 1 , 13 connecting the front and the rear sides 10, 12.
• the housing 2a of the base module 2 is formed by wall sections.
• the wall sections are formed by a hydraulic frame 7, two side panels 8, a vapour barrier 9 (visible in fig 7), a first door 40 and a second door 50.
• the fuel dispensing unit is symmetrical around a vertical centre plane P extending between the first and second end sides 1 1 , 13.
• the rear door i.e. the second door 50 is optional, and may be replaced with a wall panel.
• the first door 40 comprises a door leaf 41 .
• a first portion of the door leaf 41 is extending along a first portion 1 1 a of a first end side 1 1 of the housing 2a and along the front side 10 of the housing 2a.
• the door leaf 41 is pivotable towards a second portion 1 1 b of the first end side 1 1 about a first axis of rotation 14 extending in a vertical direction and arranged along the first end side 1 1 .
• the door leaf 41 is hingedly suspended to the first end side 1 1 .
• the first axis of rotation 14 is horizontally offset in the longitudinal extension of the first end side 1 1 in view of the vertical centre plane P intersecting the opposite end sides 1 1 , 13.
• the second door 50 may have a design corresponding to the first door 40.
• the door leaf 41 has been turned about its first axis of rotation 14 and brought to its open position, thereby forming an opening of the housing 2a.
• the components 100 such as hydraulics being arranged inside the base module 2 are visible and accessible.
• the first axis of rotation 14 is horizontally offset in the longitudinal direction of the first end side 1 1 in view of the vertical centre plane P intersecting the opposite end sides 1 1 , 13, a part of the first end side 1 1 becomes open when the door 40 is in its open position.
• the door leaf 41 is shown before being assembled to the fuel dispensing module.
• the door leaf 41 is formed of a first part 42 adapted to extend along a first portion 1 1 a of the first end side 1 1 of the housing 2a and a second part 43 adapted to extend along a front or rear side 10, 12 of the housing 2a.
• the disclosed door leaf 41 comprises a chamfered portion 44 in its upper and lower part. This chamfering, mainly being a design feature, contributes to the strength of the door but can be omitted.
• the door leaf 41 may also comprise a flanged portion (not disclosed) at its edge portions 45, also contributing to the strength.
• a sealing (not shown) may be arranged along the free edges of the door leaf 41 or on the base module 2.
• such door can have the same general design.
• the fuel dispensing unit 1 comprises a base module 2, an electronics module (not visible), two nozzle modules 3, two column modules 4, a top module 5 and a user interface module 6 in a similar configuration as described in conjunction to fig 1 .
• the base module 2 is formed of a housing 2a having a front side 10, a rear side 12 and end sides 1 1 , 13 connecting the front and the rear sides 10, 12.
• the housing 2a of the base module 2 is formed of wall sections.
• the wall sections are formed by a hydraulic frame 7, two side panels 8, a vapour barrier 9 (visible in fig 10), a first door 60 and a second door 70.
• a third and fourth door 80, 90 having a design corresponding to the first and second doors 60, 70 may be provided, but may also be substituted by a wall panel.
• the fuel dispensing unit is symmetrical around a vertical centre plane P extending between the first and second end sides.
• the rear doors 80, 90 are optional, and may be replaced with a wall panel.
• the first door 60 comprising a door leaf 61 is extending along a portion 1 1 a of a first end side 1 1 of the housing 2a and along a first portion of the front side 10 of the housing 2a.
• the second door 70 comprising a door leaf 71 is extending along a first portion (not visible) of a second end side 13 of the housing 2a and along a second portion of the front side 10 of the housing 2a.
• the first door 60 is pivotable towards a second portion 1 1 b of the first end side 1 1 .
• the second door 71 is pivotable towards a second portion (not visible) of the second end side 13.
• first and second doors 60, 70 When the first and second doors 60, 70 are turned about their axis of rotation 14, the first and second doors 60, 70 are moved to their open positions. In this position, the components 100 such as hydraulics arranged inside the base module 2 are accessible from the front side 10 and portions of the end sides 1 1 , 13 of the housing 2a.
• third and fourth doors 80, 90 are provided, such doors are arranged in a corresponding manner as the first and second doors 60, 70, but are extending along portions of the rear side 12 of the housing and portions of the first and second end sides 1 1 , 13.
• a first door leaf being pivotable about a first axis of rotation is disclosed.
• a door leaf of the type described above may in addition be pivotable about a second axis of rotation 15 extending in a vertical direction located on the door leaf 21 .
• Such second axis of rotation 15 makes the door leaf foldable.
• a combination of the embodiments described above is possible, such as arranging a door extending along the entire front side of the base module and arranging two doors each extending along a portion of the rear side of the base module. Also, a number of doors may be arranged in the vertical direction on one and the same side.
• first and/or second doors may be provided with a locking means 1 10 locking the door in its open position.
• locking means 1 10 are highly schematically disclosed in fig 1 1 .
• the first and/or second doors may also be provided with a locking means for locking the door in its closed position.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

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ID=42319992

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

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Family Cites Families (9)

• 2009
  • 2009-10-16 US US13/502,329 patent/US20120267370A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-10-16 BR BR112012008903A patent/BR112012008903A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2009-10-16 CN CN2009801629696A patent/CN102791614A/zh active Pending
  • 2009-10-16 EP EP09736416A patent/EP2488445A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2009-10-16 IN IN3285DEN2012 patent/IN2012DN03285A/en unknown
  • 2009-10-16 WO PCT/EP2009/063622 patent/WO2011044954A1/en active Application Filing

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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