GB2472775A

GB2472775A - A warning device for the prevention of misfuelling

Info

Publication number: GB2472775A
Application number: GB0914206A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gustav Werner Ernst Roesemann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-08-14
Filing date: 2009-08-14
Publication date: 2011-02-23
Also published as: GB0914206D0

Abstract

A warning device for preventing the dispensing of incorrect fuels into a diesel-powered vehicle comprises a detection device 3 able to identify non-diesel forms of fuel based on the fumes they emit and a signalling device 4 that generates a signal when an incorrect type of fuel is identified. This is capable of being retrofitted to the fuel cap of a diesel-powered vehicle (see figure 2). The device is preferably enclosed in a single cylindrical casing 1. The device may be powered by coin cell batteries 6, and may use magnets 5 for mounting to the fuel cap.

Description

Warning device to prevent the dispensing of incorrect fuels into a diesel-powered vehicle

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to devices for preventing the use of incorrect fuels in a vehicle, particularly a diesel-powered vehicle.

[2] Means for detecting incorrect fuels before they are dispensed into a vehicle are known in the art. In particular, inventions are directed towards such systems utilising interacting devices built-in to both the vehicle and the fuel pump.

[31 DE 20319414 to Merlaku discloses a system for determiningthe fuel type to be dispensed into a vehicle's fuel tank using magnets. The nozzles of fuel pumps are fitted with a magnetic ring of differing polarity depending on fuel type. A magnetic sensor in the vehicle's fuel tank detects the polarity of the magnetic ring and generates an acoustic or optical signal if a polarity associated with the pump of an incorrect type of fuel is detected.

[4] GB 2437276 to Venn West Ltd. discloses a system based upon the use of radio frequency identification (REID) tags. An REID tag located on the fuel pump indicates the type of fuel dispensed by the pump. An electronic detector device located at a neck of a vehicle fuel tank identifies the type of fuel from a proximate fuel pump REID tag and generates a signal if an incorrect type of fuel is identified.

[5] KR 2007044537 to SK Networks Co. Ltd. discloses a system also based upon the use of an RFID tag. An RFID tag installed in the vehicle records the correct type of fuel for the vehicle. RFID readers installed in fuel pumps identify the correct type of fuel for the vehicle to be filled when it is in close proximity. Based on this information, the flow of fuel from the fuel pumps dispensing incorrect fuels is stopped ensuring that incorrect fuel cannot be dispensed.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[6] As the forgoing require the installation of devices into both vehicles and fuel pumps, it can be seen that a need has arisen for a means to detect incorrect types of vehicle fuels without the need for co-operation from fuel service providers and vehicle manufacturers.

[7] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a means for detecting incorrect types of fuel using a single fuel warning device that may be easily fitted to an existing vehicle.

[8] To this end, disclosed is a warning device to prevent the dispensing of incorrect fuels into a diesel-powered vehicle, comprising a detection device able to identify non-diesel forms of fuel based on the fumes they emit and a signalling device that generates an audio or optical signal when an incorrect type of fuel is identified, preferably enclosed in a single casing and capable of being retrofitted to the fuel cap of a vehicle. The vehicle will generally be a diesel-powered vehicle, though others could use the invention.

[9] An advantage of the present invention is that it can be simply mounted to a fuel cap of the vehicle requiring no installation of devices to fuel pumps. A further advantage is that the invention may be retrofitted to existing diesel-powered vehicles.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [10] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [11] Figure 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the invention.

[12] Figure 2 shows the device in place for detecting fumes from fuel during a filling operation.

Detailed Description of an enibodiment

[13] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figure 1, a warning device for preventing the dispensing of an incompatible type of fuel into the fuel tank of a diesel-powered vehicle is disclosed comprising: a detection component 3 capable of identifying the fumes of non-diesel types of fuel; a signalling component 4 capable of generating a signal should non-diesel types of fuel be identified by the detector device; and a means 5 for mounting the warning device to diesel-powered vehicles such that it may be retrofitted.

[14] Preferably, both the detection component 3 and the signalling component 4 are to be electronic. They are preferably powered by a plurality of coin cell batteries 6.

In this way, the warning device need not be wired into the vehicle and may be simply mounted to the vehicle by the user. Alternatively, the warning device may be powered by any method known in the art.

[151 Preferably, the signalling component 4 comprises at least one signalling means for alerting a user when an incorrect type of fuel is detected by the detection component 3 -which may be any or all of a flashing or steady light, or a speaker providing an audible sound.

[1611 Preferably, the detection component 3, signalling component 4 and coin cell batteries 6 are to be enclosed in a single generally cylindrical or piliboxed-shaped casing 1.

This single casing 1 containing these components is preferably of a shape and size such as to enable it to be mounted on the inside of flap covering a vehicle fuel cap.

In this way, when the user places a fuel pump in the proximity of the vehicle fuel cap to dispense fuel into the vehicle, they will be alerted of the incorrect type of fuel prior to the fuel being dispensed.

[17] The single casing 1 contains a wire mesh section 2 covering the components at the top face of the cylinder. In this way, the fumes emitted from the fuel pump in proximity to the warning device may reach the detection component 3.

Alternatively, this section may comprise any permeable membrane known in the art.

[18] The means for mounting the warning device to the vehicle such that it may be retrofitted 5 is comprised of a magnetic element in the form of a ring magnet attached to the base of the cylinder. In this way, it may be simply mounted close to the vehicle fuel cap by magnetic force by the user. Alternatively, this means for mounting the warning device may comprise any method known in the art.

[19] In operation, as shown in Figure 2, when a fuel pump nozzle which dispenses a non-diesel type of fuel is in the proximity of the detection component 3, the fumes emitted by the fuel pump nozzle are identified by the detection component 3 and a signal is generated by the signalling component 4, to warn the user that an incorrect type of fuel is about to be dispensed into the vehicle.

[20] The vehicle may be a diesel-powered car, truck, lorry or any vehicle driven by diesel fuel; this would be the most common appellation. However, the invention may also be applied to detect any inappropriate fuel by choice of a suitable detector.

Claims

Claims 1. A warning device for preventing the dispensing of an incompatible type of fuel into the fuel tank of a vehicle, the device comprising: a detection component capable of identifying the fumes of non-diesel types of fuel; a signalling component capable of generating a signal should non-diesel types of fuel be identified by said detector device; a means for mounting said warning device to said diesel-powered vehicle near the fuel tank.
2. A device as claimed in claim one wherein said detection component and said signalling component are electronic.
3. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said signalling component generates at least one of the following signals upon identification of the non-diesel fuels: an audible sound; a flashing light; a steady light.
4. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said detection component and said signalling component are enclosed in a single casing.
5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said single casing comprises a section wire mesh.
6. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein adapted to be mounted near or on a fuel cap of the vehicle.
7. A device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein said means of mounting said warning device to the vehicle comprises a magnetic element.