GB2435036A

GB2435036A - Incorrect fuel warning system

Info

Publication number: GB2435036A
Application number: GB0602881A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Keyser; John Church
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-02-13
Filing date: 2006-02-13
Publication date: 2007-08-15
Also published as: GB0602881D0

Abstract

There is provided a warning system for use with a fuel dispensing system, the warning system comprising means for comparing a type of fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispensing system with a type of fuel required by a vehicle to which fuel is to be dispensed; and means for issuing a warning in the event that the type of fuel required by the vehicle does not match the type of fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing system. A fuel dispenser 2 may include a nozzle 10 to deliver fuel to a fuel tank inlet 14 of a vehicle 16. A fuel identification device 18 may be located on the vehicle 16 close to the inlet 14. The device 18 may be a transponder (RFID tag), in which case the different fuel types may be represented by respective signals, and an optically readable component such as a bar code, or a component having a magnetic field may be provided. The fuel identification device 18 could also be an active device, such as a radio transmitter. In an alternative embodiment, the fuel identification device 18 may include a magnetic dipole. The warning could be provided by a visual or audible warning such as synthesised speech.

Description

I

WARNING SYSTEM

Technical Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a warning system, and particularly, but not exclusively, to a warning system for use with a vehicle fuel dispensing system.

Background to the Invention

Recent developments in the field of diesel-powered engines have led to a marked increase in the number of diesel cars available on the market. This in turn has led to diesel fuel being made available on the main forecourts of vehicle filling stations, usually on the same pump islands as unleaded and lead replacement petrol. The majority of filling stations use standard colour codes and prominent labelling to assist motorists in selecting the correct fuel. However, despite these precautions, in the UK alone an estimated 120,000 drivers each year put the wrong fuel in a car's fuel tank (The AA Motoring Trust).

Large amounts of incorrect fuel can cause severe engine damage, and even small amounts of incorrect fuel can cause severe damage to an engine's fuel and catalyst systems. The cost of repairing the damage caused by misfuelling can be many thousands of pounds.

Various devices have been created to tackle this problem. The majority of designs aim to prevent diesel vehicles being refuelled with unleaded petrol, often by making use of the difference in size between the standard unleaded petrol nozzle and the somewhat larger diesel filler pipe. Typical devices include attachments for diesel filler pipes, as disclosed in EP 1 284 212, and also cooperating attachments for diesel filler pipes and associated diesel fuel nozzles, as disclosed in GB 2 287 700.

However these devices involve significant modification of existing filler pipes and provide no protection for the less common, but still problematic situation in which a petrol vehicle is refuelled with diesel fuel.

One device that is also capable of preventing a petrol vehicle from being refuelled with diesel fuel is described in GB 2413122. This document describes a vehicle fuel dispenser nozzle for preventing incorrect fuelling having a fluid dispenser lock which is moveable under the action of an appropriate magnet key between a locked position in which fluid can be dispensed and an unlocked position in which fuel can be dispensed.

However, incorporating this fluid dispenser lock into a fluid dispenser nozzle requires significant modification to the handle of the nozzle.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a warning system for use with a fuel dispensing system, the warning system comprising means for comparing a type of fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispensing system with a type of fuel required by a vehicle to which the fuel is to be dispensed; and means for issuing a warning in the event that the type of fuel required by the vehicle does not match the type of fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing system.

Preferably, the system further comprises means for determining a fuel type that detects a configuration of a fuel identification device.

Preferably, the means for determining a fuel type is adapted to determine a first fuel type when a first configuration of the fuel identification device is detected and to determine a second fuel type when a second configuration of the fuel identification device is detected.

In one embodiment, the means for determining is adapted to receive a signal sent from a radio transmitter in a fuel identification device, the signal indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

In another embodiment, the means for determining is adapted to transmit an activation signal to a transponder in a fuel identification device and to receive a response signal from the transponder indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

In a further embodiment, the means for determining is adapted to read an optically readable component on a fuel identification device, the optically readable component indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

In a further embodiment, the means for determining is adapted to measure a magnetic field of a magnetic component in a fuel identification device, the magnetic field indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

Preferably, the means for determining is adapted to measure the polarity of the

magnetic field of the magnetic component.

Preferably, the means for determining comprises three pairs of magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally, such that only a magnetic field in a localised region is measured by the means for determining.

Preferably, the means for determining further comprises a means for measuring a background magnetic field, the means for determining being further adapted to subtract the measured background magnetic field from the measurements of the magnetic field of the magnetic component.

Preferably, the warning system further comprises a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is adapted to activate the means for measuring a background magnetic field in response to a detected movement.

In one embodiment, the means for issuing a warning is adapted to issue a visual warning.

In another embodiment, the means for issuing a warning is adapted to issue an audible warning.

Preferably, the audible warning comprises synthesised speech.

In a further embodiment, the means for issuing a warning is adapted to issue both an audible and visual warning.

Preferably, the warning system is for installation in part of a fuel dispensing system, and information identifying the type of fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing system is stored in the means for comparing.

Preferably, the means for determining a type of fuel detects a configuration of a fuel identification device located in or on the vehicle.

Alternatively, the warning system is for installation in a vehicle, and information identifying the type of fuel required by the vehicle is stored in the means for comparing.

In this embodiment, the means for determining the type of fuel detects a configuration of a fuel identification device located in or on the fuel dispensing system.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a fuel dispenser for a fuel dispensing system, the fuel dispenser being adapted for insertion into an inlet of a vehicle, the fuel dispenser further comprising a warning system as described above.

Preferably, the fuel dispenser comprises a housing, and at least a part of the warning system is located in the housing.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a fuel identification device for use with the warning system as described above, the fuel identification device having one or more configurations, each configuration being indicative of a fuel type.

Preferably, the fuel type is one of petrol or diesel.

Preferably, the fuel identification device comprises one or more of a radio transmitter, transponder, optically readable component and magnetic component indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

Preferably, the fuel identification device further comprises means for attaching the device to a vehicle.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a fuel identification device comprising a magnetic dipole, wherein the device indicates a first fuel type when the magnetic dipole is attached to an object in a first orientation and a second fuel type when the magnetic dipole is attached to an object in a second orientation.

Preferably, the object is a vehicle.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a fuel dispenser of a fuel dispensing system in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 is a block diagram of a warning system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figure 1, a fuel dispenser 2 of a fuel dispensing system comprises a hand grip 4, a housing 5, a trigger 6, a trigger guard 8 and an outlet nozzle 10. A fuel pipe 12 is attached to the hand grip 4.

The fuel dispenser 2 is connected to a fuel pump (not shown) via the fuel pipe 12. The fuel pump supplies fuel of a specified type, such as diesel, petrol or a particular type thereof (e.g. unleaded petrol, lead-replacement petrol) through the fuel pipe 12 and outlet nozzle 10 to a fuel tank inlet 14 of a vehicle 16.

In accordance with the invention, a fuel identification device 18 is located on the vehicle 16 close to the inlet 14. In an alternative embodiment, the device 18 can be positioned inside the vehicle 16. The fuel identification device 18 has one or more configurations that can each be associated with a particular type of fuel. The fuel identification device 18 also has a means for attaching the device 18 to a vehicle 16.

The fuel identification device 18 is preferably a passive device which, when the configuration is detected by an appropriate device, indicates the fuel type required by the vehicle 16. The device 18 may be a transponder (RFID tag) in which case the different fuel types are represented by respective signals, an optically readable component such as a label or a bar code, or a component having a magnetic field, in which case a particular polarity or magnetic field shape can represent a particular fuel type. In alternative embodiments, the fuel identification device 18 can be an active device, such as a radio transmitter.

In a preferred embodiment, the fuel identification device 18 comprises a magnetic dipole having north and south poles. The magnetic dipole can be attached to a metallic part of the vehicle 16 near to the inlet 14. The configuration of the magnetic dipole (i.e. the orientation of the magnetic dipole) indicates the type of fuel required by the vehicle 16. For example, the magnetic dipole can indicate petrol when attached to the vehicle in a first orientation and diesel when attached to the vehicle in an orientation that is opposite to the first orientation. The fuel identification device 18 can also be provided with a simple label that indicates to a user of the vehicle 16 the orientation in which the fuel identification device 18 should be placed in order to indicate the correct type of fuel for the vehicle 16.

Referring to Figure 2, a warning system 20 comprises a controller 22 that receives inputs from sensor(s) 24 and a motion sensor 26, and outputs signals to audio warning circuitry 28 and visual warning circuitry 30.

The type of sensor(s) 24 present in the warning system 20 depend on the type of fuel identification device 18 being used. If the fuel identification device 18 is a radio transmitter or transponder, then the sensor(s) 24 can comprise a receiver and a transmitter for sending out an appropriate activation signal. If the fuel identification device 18 is an optically readable component such as a label or barcode, the sensor(s) 24 can comprise a camera or a barcode reader. If the fuel identification device 18 is a magnetic component, the sensor(s) 24 can be suitable for measuring the magnetic field of the magnetic component, or can comprise any other electronic component that can be influenced by a magnetic field, such as an appropriately configured reed switch.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that other sensors and fuel identification devices to those described above can be used in the system according to the invention. In addition, although the invention is described as including only one type of sensors 24, it will be appreciated that the warning system 20 can include sensors for several different types of fuel identification devices 18.

Preferably, the warning system 20 is arranged in the housing 5 and/or hand grip 4 of the fuel dispenser 2 such that the sensor or sensors 24 are in close proximity to the fuel identification device 18 when the nozzle 10 of the fuel dispenser 2 is inserted into the inlet 14 of the vehicle 16. The warning system 20 may also be arranged such that most of the components (controller 22, audio warning circuitry 28 and visual warning circuitry 30) are located elsewhere in the fuel dispensing system, with only the sensor 24 and motion sensor 26 being located in the fuel dispenser 2.

When the sensor(s) 24 are in a sufficiently close proximity to the fuel identification device 18 (the distance required between the sensor(s) 24 and the fuel identification device 18 depending on the type of sensor 24 and device 18), the sensor(s) 24 detect the configuration of the fuel identification device 18.

The controller 22 processes the detected configuration to determine the associated type of fuel. The controller 22 has also been programmed with the type of fuel supplied by the fuel dispensing system 2 to which the warning system 20 is attached. If the type of fuel determined from the detected configuration (i.e. the type of fuel required for the vehicle 16) does not match the type of fuel supplied by the fuel dispensing system 2, the controller will issue a warning to a user of the system 2.

The warning provided by the system 20 can be audible and/or visual. Preferably, the audio warning circuitry 28 comprises a speech synthesiser 32, an audio amplifier 34 and a speaker 36 for producing a spoken warning. Alternatively, the audio warning circuitry 28 can comprise a buzzer or a similar device.

The visual warning can comprise a simple light, or an illuminated message indicating that the system 2 dispenses the wrong fuel for the vehicle 16.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fuel identification device 18 comprises a magnetic component, which also serves as the means for attaching the device 18 to the vehicle 16. Where the device 18 distinguishes between two fuel types, such as petrol and diesel, the polarity of the magnetic component can be used to identify the fuel type of the vehicle 16. Preferably, the sensors 24 in the warning system 20 should be configured so that they only detect a magnetic field in a particular region in front of the fuel dispenser 2. This means that other magnetic fields around the vehicle 16 and dispensing system will not adversely affect the ability of the sensors to detect the polarity of the fuel identification device 18.

Preferably, there are three pairs of magnetic sensors 24 arranged orthogonally so that the magnetic field measurements can be taken from a particular position.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the sensors 24 can be configured to measure a background magnetic field (such as the Earth's magnetic field) before the fuel dispenser 2 is inserted into the vehicle inlet 14. This background measurement can then be taken into account when the measurement of the magnetic component in the fuel identification device 18 is made. Preferably, the motion sensor 26 can cause this background measurement to be taken when movement of the fuel dispenser 2 is detected.

The warning system 20 according to the invention can be built in to new fuel dispensers 2, or can be easily retrofitted to existing fuel dispensers 2.

Although the invention has been described above with the warning system 20 being located in the fuel dispensing system and the fuel identification device 18 being located in or on the vehicle 16, it will be appreciated that the invention can also be implemented with the warning system 20 located in or on the vehicle 16 and the fuel identification device 18 being located on or in the fuel dispensing system.

Claims

Claims 1. A warning system for use with a fuel dispensing system, the

warning system comprising: means for comparing a type of fuel to be dispensed from a fuel dispensing system with a type of fuel required by a vehicle to which the fuel is to be dispensed; and means for issuing a warning in the event that the type of fuel required by the vehicle does not match the type of fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing system
2. A warning system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for determining a type of fuel by detecting a configuration of a fuel identification device.

3. A warning system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for determining a fuel type is adapted to determine a first fuel type when a first configuration of the fuel identification device is detected and to determine a second fuel type when a second configuration of the fuel identification device is detected.

4. A warning system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the means for determining is adapted to receive a signal sent from a radio transmitter in a fuel identification device, the signal indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

5. A warning system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the means for determining is adapted to transmit an activation signal to a transponder in a fuel identification device and to receive a response signal from the transponder indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

6. A warning system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the means for determining is adapted to read an optically readable component on a fuel identification device, the optically readable component indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

7. A warning system as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the means for determining is adapted to measure a magnetic field of a magnetic component in a fuel identification device, the magnetic field indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

8. A warning system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for determining is adapted to measure the polarity of the magnetic field of the magnetic component.

9. A warning system as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the means for determining comprises three pairs of magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally, such that only a magnetic field in a localised region is measured by the means for determining.

10. A warning system as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the means for determining further comprises a means for measuring a background magnetic field, the means for determining being further adapted to subtract the measured background magnetic field from the measurements of the magnetic field of the magnetic component.

11. A warning system as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a motion sensor, wherein the motion sensor is adapted to activate the means for measuring a background magnetic field in response to a detected movement.

12. A warning system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for issuing a warning is adapted to issue a visual warning.

13. A warning system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for issuing a warning is adapted to issue an audible warning.

14. A warning system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the audible warning comprises synthesised speech.

15. A warning system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the warning system is for installation in part of a fuel dispensing system, and information identifying the type of fuel dispensed by the fuel dispensing system is stored in the means for comparing.

16. A warning system as claimed in claim 15 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the means for determining a type of fuel detects a configuration of a fuel identification device located in or on the vehicle.

17. A warning system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the warning system is for installation in a vehicle, and information identifying the type of fuel required by the vehicle is stored in the means for comparing.

18. A warning system as claimed in claim 17 when dependent on claim 2, wherein the means for determining the type of fuel detects a configuration of a fuel identification device located in or on the fuel dispensing system.

19. A fuel dispenser for a fuel dispensing system, the fuel dispenser being adapted for insertion into an inlet of a vehicle, the fuel dispenser further comprising a warning system as claimed in any of claims 1 to 16.

20. A fuel dispenser as claimed in claim 19, wherein the fuel dispenser comprises a housing, and at least a part of the warning system is located in the housing.

21. A fuel identification device for use with the warning system as claimed in any of claims I to 18, the fuel identification device having one or more configurations, each configuration being indicative of a fuel type.

22. A fuel identification device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the fuel type is one of petrol or diesel.

23. A fuel identification device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the fuel identification device comprises one or more of a radio transmitter, transponder, optically readable component and magnetic component indicating the configuration of the fuel identification device.

24. A fuel identification device as claimed in any of claims 21, 22 or 23, further comprising means for attaching the device to a vehicle.

25. A fuel identification device comprising a magnetic dipole, wherein the device indicates a first fuel type when the magnetic dipole is attached to an object in a first orientation and a second fuel type when the magnetic dipole is attached to an object in a second orientation.

26. A fuel identification device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the object is a vehicle.

27. A warning system as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

28. A fuel dispenser as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

29. A fuel identification device as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.