GB2532505A

GB2532505A - Misfueling prevention device

Info

Publication number: GB2532505A
Application number: GB1420786.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alwitry Amar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-11-22
Filing date: 2014-11-22
Publication date: 2016-05-25
Also published as: GB201420786D0

Abstract

A device which fits into and around the filler head or fuel cap of a diesel motor vehicle is able to detect the presence of petrol and triggers an audible or visual alarm or alert. The device may be housed in an annular ring and may comprise a detector, a control circuit, at least one alarm and a battery. The detector might be a sensor cord and might located within the tank entry tube where it is exposed to fluid introduced into the fuel tank. The device might determine the presence of petrol by assessing its conductivity or by using a chemical reaction. The device might be fitted at the time of manufacture of the vehicle or may be retrofitted. The alarm could be visual, such as constant of flashing LEDs, or might be audible. This device will warn users that they filling their diesel tank with the incorrect type of fuel.

Description

Misfueling Prevention Device

Description

As of October 2007 figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed that diesel models comprise 44.1% of all new-car sales.

With the increasing number of diesel-engined cars on the road there's a resulting rise in the number of incidents of misfuelling -filling diesel cars with unleaded petrol.

It's thought to be happening more than 400 times a day with repair charges ranging from a few hundred to several thousand pounds.

The consequences of running a diesel car with petrol in it can be catastrophic while the problems related to filling a diesel car with petrol are less marked.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Misfuelling is a growing problem especially in European countries where diesel cars are more popular. With the improved efficiency and performance of diesel cars the sales of these cars is forecasted to increase.

It is estimated that last year in the UK at least 150,000 motorists put petrol into diesel fuel tanks. If this happens and is spotted at best it is a major inconvenience, meaning the need for a call out charge to have the tank pumped out, plus the cost of a wasted tank of fuel. However if a vehicle is started then damage can occur to the engine and the fuel pump which can mean repair bills running into thousands of pounds. Worse still fuel pumps in many vehicles are often primed by the central locking system so even if a driver spots his mistake, it could be too late if he has unlocked his doors.

Brief Description of the invention:

The device may be built in by the manufacturer of the vehicle to be incorporated into the diesel filler head (factory fitted) or it may take the form of a retrofitted device which fits around the diesel filler head. It may also form part of the fuel cap itself which can be factory fitted or retrofitted as a replacement fuel cap.

A plastic cord/fine cable extends to lie within the body of the diesel filler head. It is physically inserted into the lumen of the in pipe at the time of installation.

At the end of the cord lies a "detector". This detector may take the form of a micro-ohmmeter, a liquid conductivity cell, or a chemical (or alternative detector) with the capability to differentiate between petrol and diesel.

The detection device is powered by a small battery.

A circuit is connected to the detector also powered by the battery.

The circuit connects to an audible signal such as a buzzer or a visual signal in the form of a (or multiple) red LED light(s) which is situated on the ring that surrounds the diesel filler head and secures the device or in the vicinity of the filler head if manufacturer fitted.

When the fuel is delivered into the filter head it will flow over the detector. This will determine whether the fuel is petrol or diesel. The conductivity of diesel is significantly higher than that of petrol. If the detector detects a lack of conductivity when compared to diesel a signal will be sent to the control board and the alarm will sound (either visual or audible). This will alert the user that petrol is detected and filling should cease immediately.

Detailed description:

When a voltage is applied to a material charge flows creating an electric current (I). The ratio between voltage, current and resistance is given by Ohm's Law: V=lxR The conductivity of a liquid is defined as the reciprocal of the electrical resistance at unit length and unit cross-sectional area through the liquid.

Conductivity (S/m) = (1/V) x k Where V = test voltage (volts) and k=measurement cell geometric constant.

The device has to adhere to British Standard 5958 (Code of Practice for Control of Undesirable Static Electricity) or any other local safety standards.

Conductivity of diesel is significantly more than that of petrol. This can be used to differentiate petrol from diesel by using a detector.

The device may be built in by the manufacturer of the vehicle giving flexibility as to the exact placement of the detection device and the alerts/alarms. It may be incorporated into the diesel filler head structure or it may take the form of a retrofitted device which is fitted around the diesel filler head.

It may also be incorporated into a diesel fuel cap in which case the sensor cord would have a t-bar at the end to prevent egress of the device from the filler head.

The portions of the device outside the filler head may be annular in design to support itself by fitting around the diesel filler head outside the filler cap.

The device will consist of: An annular ring that houses: A small battery which will power the detector, the alarm (audible or visual or both) and the control circuit.

A control circuit is connected to the detector, the alarms and the battery.

The circuit connects to an audible or visual signal. The signal can be an audible buzzer or a visual signal in the form of a single or multiple red LED lights. It may also be in the form or any other alarm which will alert the user. The alarm is situated on the ring that surrounds the diesel filler head and is visible to the user.

A cord extends from the annular ring and connects the control circuit/power supply/alarms to the sensor/detector.

The cord/cable apparatus: The cord extends to lie within the body of the diesel filler head.

At the end of the cord lies a "detector". This detector may take the form of a micro-ohmmeter, a liquid conductivity cell, or a chemical or alternative detector with the capability to differentiate between petrol and diesel.

A liquid conductivity cell consists of a pair of concentric cylindrical electrodes. Liquid passes into annular spaced between electrodes and a known voltage is applied. Current measured and thus conductivity measured. Alternatively the fluid passes over the sensors of the micro-ohmmeter and conductivity is measured.

This device will only be used on diesel cars as the diesel hose cannot fit into the petrol filler head.

Diesel is relatively inflammable. It requires a lot of pressure to ignite and therefore the presence of the detector should present no risk of ignition. Petrol is more flammable however the voltage and current utilised in the detector will be so small as to make the risk of ignition negligible. In addition the petrol will immediately cause the alarm to sound and alert the user to its presence stopping the introduction of further petrol.

Figure 1 shows the image of what the device may look like.

Figure 2 shows the image of the device in situ sat around the diesel filler head. Figure 3 shows the device incorporated into a diesel fuel cap.

Claims

Claims 1. A device which fits into and around the diesel filler head on motor vehicles.
2. A device according to claim 1 which is able to detect the presence of petrol via a detector and triggers an audible or visual alarm.
3. A device incorporating a detector according to claim 2, which can determine the presence of petrol by either assessing its conductivity or via any other chemical reaction/method.
4. A device according to claim 1, which is either fitted at the time of manufacture or is retrofitted by the user to sit around the diesel filler head.
5. A device which according to claim 1, has an element which places a detector into the lumen of the diesel filler head/pipe to fuel tank which is exposed to the fluid introduced into the fuel tank.