GB2532460A

GB2532460A - Modular filling station

Info

Publication number: GB2532460A
Application number: GB1420562.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rose Richard; Powell Kevin
Original assignee: Ledbury Welding & Eng Ltd
Current assignee: Ledbury Welding & Eng Ltd
Priority date: 2014-11-19
Filing date: 2014-11-19
Publication date: 2016-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2034-11-19
Also published as: GB201420562D0; GB2532460B; WO2016079510A1

Abstract

A fuel filling station for dispensing fuel to vehicles, the filling station comprising: a fuel tank 112; one or more cradles 142 supporting the fuel tank; and one or more canopy members 160 for providing shelter to a user dispensing fuel from the fuel tank to a vehicle, each canopy member being connected to the one or more cradles such that the canopy member projects outwardly from the fuel tank in a cantilever arrangement. At its most general, the invention proposes a free standing fuel filling station in which the fuel tank is mounted above ground. One or more cradles support the fuel tank and one or more canopy members such that the canopy members are structurally supported by the weight of the fuel tank. Moreover, the filling station may be constructed and assembled off-site, with only minimal construction and commissioning work to be carried out on-site.

Description

MODULAR FILLING STATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to fuel filling stations, and in particular to fuel filling stations in which the or each fuel tank is located above ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Vehicle fuel filling stations typically comprise one or more underground fuel tanks and a separate canopy structure which shelters users when dispensing fuel from the fuel tanks to their vehicles via a dispensing pump.

[0003] The present inventors have recognised that there is a desire to provide fuel filling stations in locations where an underground fuel tank would be undesirable, or impossible. Moreover, they have recognised that it would be advantageous for such filling stations to he assembled off-site, with only the minimum construction and commissioning work to be carried out on-site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] At its most general, the invention proposes a free standing fuel filling station in which the fuel tank is mounted above ground. One or more cradles support the fuel tank and one or more canopy members such that the canopy members are structurally supported by the weight of the fuel tank.

[0005] A first aspect of the invention provides a fuel filling station for dispensing fuel to vehicles, the filling station comprising: a fuel tank; one or more cradles supporting the fuel tank; and one or more canopy members for providing shelter to a user dispensing fuel from the fuel tank to a vehicle, each canopy member being connected to the one or more cradles such that the canopy member projects outwardly from the fuel tank in a cantilever arrangement.

[0006] This arrangement enables the filling station to be self-supporting and freestanding, without the need for any foundations or other site modifications to anchor the filling station. That is, the one or more cradles enable loads applied by the one or more canopy members to be counteracted by the weight of the fuel tank, i.e. the weight applied to the one or more cradles by the fuel tank provides a counterbalance to the weight of the cantilevered one or more canopy members and any external loads applied to those canopy members by, for example, wind, rain, snow or other environmental factors.

[0007] In addition, the fuel tank can be sited above ground, rather than being buried underground as in previous filling stations. Moreover, the filling station may be constructed and assembled off-site, with only minimal construction and commissioning work to be carried out on-site.

[0008] By siting the fuel tank above ground, the environmental concerns of ground contamination from underground tanks are avoided. A suitable fuel tank may he double-skinned, with two steel (or other metal) skins separated by a layer of insulating material such as concrete. A suitable fuel tank is sold under the trading name of S uperVaultml.

[0009] In some embodiments each of the one or more cradles comprises a base on which the fuel tank is seated and at least one arm member interconnecting the base and the canopy member. In this way, the base provides a physical support, or scat, for the fuel tank and is physically anchored by the weight of the fuel tank, while the at least one arm member enables loads from the one or more canopy members to he transmitted to the base.

[0010] The filling station may comprise two canopy members, wherein the one or more cradles arc each substantially U-shaped such that the cradle has a base from which first and second arm members extend, and wherein the fuel tank is seated on the base of the one or more cradles and each canopy member is connected to the first or second arm member, respectively, of the one or more cradles. In this way, the base provides a physical support, or seat, for the fuel tank and is physically anchored by the weight of the fuel tank, while the first and/or second arm members enable loads from the canopy members to he transmitted to the base. Moreover, the weight of one canopy member may he counteracted by the weight of the other canopy member.

[0011] In such embodiments the filling station may comprise two or more cross members connecting the two canopy members. The cross members may provide an additional load path for the transmittal of loads from the canopy members to the base.

[0012] Preferably, the two or more cross members and the two canopy members together enclose an opening, the opening being sized to permit the fuel tank to pass therethrough. In this way, the fuel tank can he installed after assembly of the remaining structural members, and/or may be removed for maintenance or replacement, without any modification or dismantling of the filling station.

[0013] A second aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for constructing a fuel filling station according to the first aspect, comprising: a central module comprising the fuel tank and the one or more cradles supporting the fuel tank; and a canopy module comprising the one or more canopy members, wherein the canopy module is arranged to be assembled with the central module by connecting the one or more canopy members to the one or more cradles.

[0014] In this way, the filling station can he assembled by a modular construction method, in which the central module and canopy module may be constructed separately and then assembled together. Such an arrangement enables most of the construction work to be carried out off-site, with only minimal on-site work required.

[0015] The central module preferably comprises systems components for operating the filling station, the systems components including one or more of: electrical cabling; data cabling; one or more fuel pipes; one or more fuel transfer pumps; one or more fuel dispensing pumps; and one or more control or monitoring components. Thus, the central module may be delivered to site pre-assembled to include the cradles, fuel tank, and any necessary systems for operating and/or monitoring the filling station, so minimising the on-site work necessary to provide a fully-functioning and usable facility.

[0016] A third aspect of the invention provides a method of constructing a fuel filling station according to the first aspect, including the steps of: (a) constructing a central module comprising the fuel tank and the one or more cradles supporting the fuel tank; (h) constructing a canopy module comprising the one or more canopy members; (c) transporting the central module and canopy module to an operating site; and (d) assembling the canopy module with the central module by connecting the one or more canopy members to the one or more cradles.

[0017] Thus, the invention provides a modular construction method in which the central module and canopy module may he constructed separately and then assembled together. Such an arrangement enables most of the construction work to be carried out off-site, with only minimal on-site work required.

[0018] Preferably, steps (a) and (b) are carried out before step (c).

[0019] Step (a) may include installing systems components for operating the filling station, the systems components including one or more of: electrical cabling; data cabling; one or more fuel pipes; one or more fuel transfer pumps; one or more fuel dispensing pumps; and one or more control or monitoring components. Thus, the central module may be delivered to site pre-assembled to include the cradles, fuel tank, and any necessary systems for operating and/or monitoring the filling station, so minimising the on-site work necessary to provide a fully-functioning and usable facility.

[0020] In some embodiments step (d) is carried out before step (c). That is, the central module and canopy module can be assembled together before the filling station is transported to the operating site, thus further reducing the assembly steps required on site.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0022] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a fuel filling station according to an embodiment of the invention; [0023] Figure 2 shows a plan view of a fuel filling station according to another embodiment of the invention, with outer cladding panels omitted for clarity; [0024] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the fuel filling station of Figure 2 taken at line A-A, with sonic component parts omitted for clarity; [0025] Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a fuel tank, cradle and canopy assembly of the fuel filling station of Figure 2; [0026] Figure 5 shows a plan view of the assembly of Figure 4; [0027] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 5 taken at line B-B; [0028] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembly of Figure 6 taken at line C-C; and [0029] Figure 8 shows a detail view of a joint of the assembly of Figure 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) [0030] Figures 1 and 2 provide an overview of a fuel filling station 100 according to two similar embodiments of the invention. In Figure 2 the outer cladding panels of the filling station 100 are omitted, so that the various components within the filling station are visible. The outer cladding panels may he personalised in order to carry the colours, logos and other corporate imagery of the owner or operator of the filling station 100 (i.e. the fuel retailer).

[0031] In general terms, the filling station 100 comprises a central module 110 which rests on the ground, and a canopy assembly 150 which is supported by the central module 110.

[0032] The central module 110 includes a fuel tank 112 which, in the present embodiment, comprises a generally cylindrical pressure vessel. In this embodiment the tank 112 is divided into two separate fuel volumes 113 for two different fuel types: a first fuel volume 113A for storing diesel fuel, and a second fuel volume 113B for storing unleaded petroleum fuel. In other embodiments the tank 112 may comprise only one fuel volume 113, or may comprise multiple fuel volumes for accommodating multiple fuel types. A transfer pumping system 114 comprises a pumping module 115 comprising a diesel pump 115A for pumping diesel fuel from a delivery tanker (not shown) to the first fuel volume 113A via a diesel re-fuel line 116A. The transfer pumping system 114 also comprises a petrol pump 115B for pumping petroleum fuel from a delivery tanker (not shown) to the second fuel volume 113B via a petrol re-fuel line 116B.

[0033] The fuel tank 112 provides fuel to four dispensing pumps 120 (eight in the embodiment of Figure 1) via dispensing lines 122. Diesel dispensing lines 122A deliver diesel fuel to each of the dispensing pumps 120, while petrol dispensing lines 122B deliver petroleum fuel to each of the dispensing pumps 120. A user 200 can dispense the relevant fuel to a vehicle 220 via any of the dispensing pumps 120.

[0034] The central module 110 also includes an electrical control cabinet 130 housing the necessary control and monitoring components and/or instruments for operating the filling station 100. The control cabinet 130 also comprises a power connection point (not shown) for connecting the filling station 100 to an on-site power supply, and a data connection point (not shown) for connecting the filling station 100 to a data connection. Such a data connection may enable off-site monitoring and/or control of the filling station, and/or may enable a user 200 to pay for their fuel at the dispensing pump 120 via a pay-at-pump interface (not shown).

10035] As shown best in Figures 3-7, the fuel tank 112 is held within a series of three generally U-shaped cradle assemblies 140, which themselves support a pair of outwardly-extending canopies 160 of the canopy assembly 150. In Figures 3-7 only the sub-structure of the canopies 160 is shown to aid clarity, but it is the intention that the canopies are each clad in one or more outer panels to provide shelter to a user 200. The outer panels may be personalised in order to carry the colours, logos and other corporate imagery of the owner or operator of the filling station 100.

[0036] Each cradle assembly 140 comprises a rigid cradle base 142 which acts to support (he fuel tank 112. Each cradle base 142 has a generally cuboid shape, with a recess in an upper surface for cradling the fuel tank 112, as shown in particular in Figure 7. Together, the cradle bases 142 hold the tank in a fixed position. Each cradle assembly 140 also comprises a pair of upright support members 144 arranged either side of the tank 112. Each upright support member 144 is fixed at one end thereof to the respective cradle base 142 and at the other end thereof to one of the pair of canopies 160. That is, one of the upright support members 144 provides a rigid connection between an of the cradle base 142 at one side of the fuel tank 112 and one of the canopies 160, and the other of the upright support members 144 provides a rigid connection between an end of the cradle base 142 at the opposite side of the fuel tank 112 and the other of the canopies 160. Each upright support member 144 is connected to one edge of the respective canopy 160 so that the canopy is supported in a typical cantilever fashion, with the canopy extending outwardly from the central module 110 so as to provide shelter to a user 200. Thus, each cradle connects the pair of canopies 160 to form an upside-down omega (Q) shape.

[0037] The central module 110 also comprises cross members 149 which extend between the two canopies 160 at a position above the fuel tank 112 (see Figures 4 and 7 in particular) in order to provide a further connection therebetween. In the illustrated embodiments there are only cross members 149 located at opposite ends of the central module 11() (in the longitudinal direction of the filling station, shown as left to right in Figures 2 and 5). This arrangement provides an opening above the fuel tank 112 which in use will he covered by one or more roof panels (not shown), but in the absence of such panels the opening is sufficiently large to permit the fuel tank 112 to be passed therethrough. Thus, the central module 110 and canopy assembly 150 can be constructed, and the fuel tank 112 installed subsequently. Moreover, the fuel tank 112 can he removed from the central module 110 for maintenance or replacement, if necessary, without dismantling of the central module 110 and/or canopy assembly 150 (other than removal of the one or more roof panels). In other embodiments the cross members 149 may alternatively extend between the upright support members 144 of one or more of the cradle assemblies 140.

[0038] In this way, the filling station 100 is self-supporting in the sense that the canopy assembly 150 is fully supported by the central module 110, with no need for any additional supporting structure on-site. In particular, there is no need to provide any foundations or other ground works in order to support the canopy assembly 150. That is, the whole canopy structure is supported by the weight of the central module 110, including the tank 112, thus avoiding the need for additional civil constructed foundations. The filling station 100 can therefore be free-standing, as shown in particular in Figure 7.

[0039] This is because the loads applied by the canopy assembly 150 to the central module 110 are counteracted by the central module 110 as a result of the arrangement of the cradle assemblies 140. That is, all the loads applied by the canopy assembly 150 to the central module 110 are carried by the cradle assemblies 140, in cooperation with other structure and components of the central module 110. In particular, the weight applied to the cradle bases 142 by the fuel tank 112 provides a counterbalance to the weight of the cantilevered canopies 160 and any external loads applied to those canopies 160 by, for example, wind, rain, snow or other environmental factors.

[0040] As shown in Figure 8, each upright support member 144 may be fixed to the respective cradle base 142 by bolting (or otherwise fastening) via bolt holes 146 passing through a base end plate 143 welded to the base 142 and an upright end plate 145 that is welded to the upright support member 144. In addition, the upright support members 144 may be bolted (or otherwise fastened) to a floor structure (not shown) of the central module 110 via bolt holes 148. In other embodiments the connection between each support member 144 and the cradle base 142 and/or floor structure (not shown) may be via welding, co-forming, or any other suitable means.

[0041] The arrangement of the filling station 100 enables modular off-site construction, with minimal on-site work required to provide a fully-functioning and usable facility. In particular, the modular design enables the central module 110 to be substantially constructed off-site, so that it is delivered to site pre-assembled to include the cradle assemblies 140, the fuel tank 112, and all systems for operating and/or monitoring the filling station, including: the transfer pumping system 114; all pipework including the dispensing lines 122 and optional manifold pipework (not shown) for enabling cross-filling of fuel tanks or fuel volumes; all electrical cabling and optional data cabling (not shown); and all instruments and components located within the electrical control cabinet 130.

[0042] The canopy assembly 150 may be pre-assembled with the central module 110 off-site and delivered to site as such, or may be assembled on-site. Similarly, the dispensing pumps 120 may be pre-assembled with the central module 110 off-site and delivered to site fully assembled, or the assembly may be carried out on-site.

[0043] In this way, the only essential step to be carried out on-site for the provision of a fully-functioning facility is the connection to a power supply. Optional additional steps are the connection to a data supply (in embodiments in which a data connection is necessary, e.g. for enabling pay-at-pump technology, or remote facility monitoring), assembly of the canopy assembly 150 with the central module 110 (in embodiments in which this assembly is not carried out prior to delivery), and assembly of the dispensing pumps 120 with the central module 110 (again, in embodiments in which this assembly is not carried out prior to delivery).

[0044] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0045] For example, in the described embodiments the fuel tank 112 is arranged to contain two different fuel types, but in other embodiments the fuel tank 112 may be arranged to supply only one fuel type, or more than two fuel types. Similarly, in the described embodiments the dispensing pumps 120 are each arranged to supply two fuel types. but in other embodiments they may be arranged to supply only one fuel type, or multiple fuel types. The fuel tank 112 of the illustrated embodiments comprises two separate fuel volumes 113A, 113B for accommodating two different fuel types. In other embodiments there may instead he two separate fuel tanks 112, each having only one fuel volume 113.

[0046] Further, the canopy assembly 150 may comprise only one canopy 160. In embodiments in which there is only one canopy 160 that projects outwardly in only one direction from the central module 110, the cradle assemblies 140 may each be L-shaped, rather than U-shaped. That is, each cradle assembly 140 may comprise a cradle base 142 on which the fuel tank 112 is supported, and only one upright support member 144 providing a connection between an edge of the canopy 160 and the cradle base 142.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiments there are multiple discrete cradle assemblies 140, but in other embodiments there may be only one cradle assembly 140. Such a cradle assembly 140 may have a single cradle base 142 and multiple pairs of upright support members 144 arranged at discrete positions along the base. Alternatively, the cradle assembly 140 may comprise only one pair of upright support members 144. In embodiments in which there is only a single canopy 160 that extends outwardly in only one direction from the central module 110, as described above, the or each cradle assembly 140 may comprise only one upright support member 144 at one side of the cradle base 142.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fuel filling station for dispensing fuel to vehicles, the filling station comprising: a fuel tank; one or more cradles supporting the fuel tank; and one or more canopy members for providing shelter to a user dispensing fuel from the fuel tank to a vehicle, each canopy member being connected to the one or more cradles such that the canopy member projects outwardly from the fuel tank in a cantilever arrangement.
2. A filling station according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more cradles comprises a base on which the fuel tank is seated and at least one arm member interconnecting the base and the canopy member.
3. A filling station according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising two canopy members, wherein the one or more cradles are each substantially U-shaped such that the cradle has a base from which first and second arm members extend, and wherein the fuel tank is seated on the base of the one or more cradles and each canopy member is connected to the first or second arm member, respectively, of the one or more cradles.
4. A filling station according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising two or more cross members connecting the two canopy members.
5. A filling station according to claim 4, wherein the two or more cross members and the two canopy members together enclose an opening, the opening being sized to permit the fuel tank to pass therethrough.
6. A kit of pails for constructing a fuel filling station according to claims 1 to 5, comprising: a central module comprising the fuel tank and the one or more cradles supporting the fuel tank; and a canopy module comprising the one or more canopy members, wherein the canopy module is arranged to he assembled with the central module by connecting the one or more canopy members to the one or more cradles.
7. A kit of parts according to claim 6, wherein the central module comprises systems components for operating the filling station, the systems components including one or more of: electrical cabling; data cabling; one or more fuel pipes; one or more fuel transfer pumps; one or more fuel dispensing pumps; and one or more control or monitoring components.
8. A method of constructing a fuel filling station according to claims 1 to 5, including the steps of: (a) constructing a central module comprising the fuel tank and the one or more cradles supporting the fuel tank; (b) constructing a canopy module comprising the one or more canopy members; (c) transporting the central module and canopy module to an operating site; and (d) assembling the canopy module with the central module by connecting the one or more canopy members to the one or more cradles.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein steps (a) and (b) are carried out before step (c).
10. A method according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein step (a) includes installing systems components for operating the filling station, the systems components including one or more of: electrical cabling; data cabling; one or more fuel pipes; one or more fuel transfer pumps; one or more fuel dispensing pumps; and one or more control or monitoring components.
11. A method according to any of claims 8 to 10, wherein step (d) is carried out before step (c).
12. A fuel filling station substantially as herein described, with reference to the appended drawings.
13. A kit of parts for constructing a filling station substantially as herein described, with reference to the appended drawings.
14. A method of constructing a filling station substantially as herein described, with reference to the appended drawings.