WO1997035804A2

WO1997035804A2 - Fluid nozzle unit

Info

Publication number: WO1997035804A2
Application number: PCT/GB1997/000904
Authority: WO
Inventors: Keith Hallam; James Boyle; Paul Newsome; Phillip Hallam
Original assignee: Keith Hallam; James Boyle; Paul Newsome; Phillip Hallam
Priority date: 1996-03-28
Filing date: 1997-04-01
Publication date: 1997-10-02
Also published as: GB9706623D0; GB9606527D0; AU2172897A; GB9606623D0; GB2311510A; WO1997035804A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a hand-held fluid nozzle unit (1) for a fluid dispensing installation such as a fuel pump. The invention also relates to means for transferring information from one location to another in a hazardous environment. In both instances, an optical fibre (20) is preferably used to transfer information along the conduit (4) carrying a hazardous material such as petrol.

Description

FLUID NOZZLE UNIT

The invention relates to a hand held fluid nozzle unit for dispensing fluid from a fluid dispensing installation such as a fuel pump. The invention also relates to means for transferring information from one location to another in a hazardous environment such as a chemical plant or fuel station forecourt.

Numerical displays to monitor the volume and cost of fuel delivered in fuel station forecourts are already well known. Typically, the numerical displays are mounted on or towards the roof of a fuel dispensing installation such as a petrol or diesel pump. By reading the display when extracting fuel, a user can monitor a number of different measures for his vehicle. These measures include the volume of fuel being dispensed, the price per unit volume say, and also the total cost of fuel dispensed to that particular user. The displays typically comprise LEDs in the form of, for example, a digital LED display or flow counters based on rotating numerical barrels, situated in rows of the display. As fuel passes through the dispensing installation, the numerical barrels rotate increasing in value and indicating, for example, the cost and volume of the fuel being dispensed.

Conventional displays are fixedly mounted on the front or roof of the fuel pump and face outwardly from the front of the fuel pump. Nevertheless, users can encounter difficulty in reading the numerical display when filling their vehicles. Vehicles are drawn up to the fuel pump in an arbitrary position with relation to the fuel pump and therefore an arbitrary position with respect to the display. A user extracts the nozzle unit from the fuel pump and places it in the petrol tank which is often adjacent one end, typically the rear, of his vehicle. This may be some distance from the display unit or indeed at an awkward angle with respect to the display unit. Therefore, when filling their vehicles, many users are in some discomfort or experience difficulty in viewing and/or reading the display. The problem is of course exacerbated at night when ambient light is poor or in sunshine when reflections from the display can obscure the display. Also, because of the position of the display on the fuel pump, particularly towards the top of the fuel pump, it may be difficult for smaller individuals or individuals who have difficulty in mobility, for example, to view the display unit with ease or even at all.

These problems can result in a user misreading the amount, for example, of fuel being dispensed. Therefore a user may take in more fuel than was originally required increasing the cost or the user may not take in enough fuel for his requirements.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the above problems of monitoring the fluid being dispensed from a fluid dispenser.

In addition, problems arise in transferring information from one location to another in hazardous environments, such as chemical engineering works, chemical plants, fuel refining or handling facilities, fuel sales outlets such as fuel station forecourts and so on. Typical information includes data for display concerning for example the quantity of a hazardous fluid passing through a conduit such as a channel, pipe, hose or the like.

Fuel stations, and in particular fuel station forecourts are subject to careful safety requirements owing to the amount of fuel stored both above and below ground. All electrical devices are restricted or banned from use. Certain switching methods within the main fuel tanks are banned or restricted. Also the use of portable devices which may be brought into the area such as mobile telephone handsets are banned. Use of such electronic devices in these areas can interfere with the otherwise safe electrical or electronic systems which pass information concerning the monitoring or handling of the fuel. Therefore, conventional methods of transferring information from one place to another using electrical signals, for example, are not allowed unless these comply with the strict and onerous safety requirements.

The present invention also seeks to provide an alternative way of transferring information from one place to another in a hazardous environment which is less subject to the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hand held nozzle unit, for dispensing fluid from a conduit connected to a fluid dispensing installation or reservoir, comprising a handle, a fluid outlet, a trigger mechanism for controlling fluid dispensing and a display for displaying information which is transmitted from a remote location. The information may indicate, for example, the quantity of fluid being dispensed. Thus, the display is directly adjacent a user's hand when the user holds the nozzle unit in his hand.

Preferably, the display is positioned between the fluid outlet and the handle. The display may be raised and/or tilted with respect to the handle of the nozzle. Thus, a display is introduced which is generally in the line of the sight of the operator of the nozzle, allowing for a more comfortable operating position and more reliable reading of the information on the display.

In a preferred embodiment the display is adapted to receive an optical signal. Preferably the nozzle unit comprises a transversion device, or plate, for converting the optical signal to display information.

Means for determining the quantity of fluid dispensed may be mounted in the nozzle. Preferably, the means is positioned in the fluid dispensing installation. The invention also extends to a fluid dispensing system comprising a nozzle, a fluid dispensing installation or reservoir, a conduit for connecting the nozzle to the fluid dispensing installation and means for transferring information along the conduit from the fluid dispensing installation to the display. The information typically indicates the quantity of fluid dispensed. Preferably, the means for transferring information is one or more optical fibre cables containing one or more optical fibres. Typically the optical fibre cable is positioned adjacent to or within the conduit.

The invention also extends to a fluid dispensing system comprising a hand held nozzle unit as described above and a conduit adapted to transfer information to the nozzle unit.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid conduit provided with one or more optical fibres for transferring information along its length. The conduit may be a channel, pipe, hose or the like. The conduit may be rigid or flexible. One or more optical fibre cables each containing one or more optical fibres may be provided.

In either aspect of the invention, the conduit may be adapted to accommodate the optical fibre cable or cables. Preferably, the conduit comprises one or more sleeves sized and shaped to accommodate the optical fibre(s) or cable(s).

In one embodiment, the sleeve is detachable. The sleeve or the cable or even the fibre itself may be attached to the conduit using one or more clips such as resilient clips.

In one embodiment, the sleeve may be integral with the conduit. For example, it may be within the wall of the conduit or hose. It may be moulded into the wall of the conduit or hose. Preferably, the sleeve is an elongate tube or recess along the conduit adjacent, for example, to the outer surface of the wall of the conduit. If the sleeve is a tube it may be substantially centrally located between the inner and outer surfaces of the conduit. The sleeve is preferably generally flush with the outer surface of the conduit or hose. If the sleeve is a recess this preferably opens out to the outer surface of the conduit. Preferably the recess is resilient. For example, the optical fibre itself or optical fibre cable(s) can be snap fitted into the recess and extracted from the recess by deforming the sleeve should the need arise, for example, for cleaning or replacement. Preferably, the recess is sized and shaped with respect to the optical fibre or cabling so that when the optical fibre or cable is inserted in the recess, the optical fibre or cable does not protrude substantially beyond the outer surface of the conduit.

In a preferred embodiment, the hand held nozzle unit, fluid dispensing system or apparatus for transferring information is adapted for use with fuel.

The preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only with reference to the following figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic view of a forecourt with a tank or fuel dispensing installation and a hand held nozzle unit or hand pump according to the invention.

Figure IA is a schematic perspective view of the fuel supply hose according to the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a cutaway perspective view of an optical fibre cable comprising several optical fibres.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a single optical fibre and a method of transferring information along the optical fibre. Figures 4A to 4D illustrate cross-sectional perspective views of part of the conduit showing the positioning of the optical fibre cable within the wall of the conduit.

In figure 1, a hand held nozzle unit or hand pump is generally indicated at 1. Nozzle unit 1 comprises a body 2 connected to a hose 4 through which fuel is input to the nozzle unit. A trigger mechanism 5 situated beneath handle 6 supplies fuel through outlet or nozzle 7 when trigger mechanism 5 is depressed. Fuel is drawn along hose 4 through the nozzle unit or hand pump 2 from the supply conserve tank or fuel dispensing installation 8. Normally as the fuel leaves the tank 8, it is monitored so that the quantity of fuel dispensed along hose 4 can be determined and displayed on, for example, a digital LED display.

Information concerning for example the quantity and/or price of fuel dispensed is passed from tank 8 to nozzle unit 2 by means of several optical fibres situated within optical fibre cable 20 in sleeve 10 on the outer wall of hose 4. Thus, in use, information concerning the quantity of fuel dispensed, price and so on can be displayed on display 3.

Display 3 is raised and tilted with respect to the handle 6 so that not only does the display generally face the user, it is also prominently displayed in a user's line of sight during use.

Whilst a digital LED display is illustrated in display 3 in figure 1, it is also possible to include the flow counter method using rotating numeric barrels within display 3. Display 9 may be dispensed with though it is advantageous to offer both displays 3 and 9 so that should one fail the other displays the necessary information. It is possible to monitor the flow of fuel or quantity of fluid dispensed by providing a suitable mechanism either at the original location adjacent to display 9 on the main reserve tank 8 or indeed by providing a suitable mechanism in the nozzle unit 1. If fluid flow is monitored as it leaves tank 8, the optical fibre cable 20 assists in the transfer of information suitable for display to the nozzle unit or hand pump 1.

In figure IA, sleeve 10 is integrally moulded in the wall of hose 4. Fluid flows through pipe lining 11.

The optical fibre cable may simply be attached directly to the hose 4 by means of suitable clips (not shown), however, for protection of the cable, use of an outer sleeve is preferred. Again, the sleeve may be attached to the exterior of the hose by means of suitable attachment clips, such as resilient clips. However, it is even more preferable in general use to have the fibre cable 20 enclosed within the rubber of hose 4, as shown in figure IA and figures 4A to 4D. The cable passes through the wall of the hose either externally, situated closer to the outer surface, or internally, situated closer to the inner surface. Indeed, sleeve 10 may be moulded as part of the main hose wall as shown. Sleeve 10 houses the optical fibre cable 20 allowing full flexibility and free movement of the cable in relation to the sleeve 10 passing within the hose to its interior 11 as shown in figure IA. The fuel passing within the hose lining 11, is separated from contact with the cable 20 by the rubber encasement of sleeve 10. Thus, the fuel does not interfere with the operation of the optical cable.

When holding the hand pump by the handle 6, the user has a direct level view of the hand pump LED display 3. This allows for ease of use, with possible reference still taken from the main reserve display 9.

The operation of the optical fibre to transfer information from one location to another will now be described in more detail. In figure 2, optical fibre cable 20 contains several individual fibres 19. These are enclosed within a lining 13 which is further enclosed within an outer casing or sleeve 12. A further sleeve 10 may be dispensed with particularly when an outer casing or sleeve 12 is provided. There may be any number of individual fibres 19 depending upon the amount of fibres required. An image 18 is passed through the fibres as a combination of separate light rays 14 as shown in figure 3. The inner core 15 of the fibre channels light rays 14 within an outer cladding 17. An opaque outer sleeve 16 encases the optical fibre.

The simplest method of operation is simply to transfer an image in the form of multiple light channels through several optical fibres rather than as digital information, though this latter option falls within the scope of this invention. Therefore, an LED image is transferred, as shown in figure 2, through fibre cable 20 via several internal fibres 19 to a connecting point within hand pump 2. The image is offered to an LED viewer (not shown) by a simple LED transversion plate, using basic photocell or similar methods. In other words, an LED image 18 corresponding to that already developed on display 19 on tank 8 is developed at display 3.

The type, nature, number and size of optical fibres 19 depends on the amount and quality of information transferred. For example, a continually varying display would require more information to be downloaded through the optical fibre. Such considerations would have to be dealt with when deciding on the amount and type of fibres 19 to use within the cable 20.

The nature and operation of the optical fibres to transfer information digitally from one location to another is well known in the art and will not be described here.

Attaching optical fibre to, say, flexible hose 4 does not affect the function of the optical fibre. This is due to the fact that the optical fibre itself is very flexible and flexing the fibre, depending upon the degree of flexing, has minimal effect on the quality of the information transmitted. A further benefit of optical fibre is that it does not produce any electrical interference with other systems such as other monitoring systems already in existence around the station forecourt, or indeed in a chemical plant or refinery since the optical fibre itself carries optical signals and does not carry electrical signals.

Typically, the display will show fuel volume dispensed and total cost. Other information such as a time clock may also be added to the display. This depends upon the available viewing space. Illumination of the display or the use of an LED which can be seen at night may be advisable for the display, since display 3 will generally be smaller than previous displays. It is also favourable to use numerals of a larger size than those previously used on conventional tank mounted displays. Furthermore, a screen may also be provided as a sun shield or shade around the display to aid with use in daylight.

Therefore, it is possible for a user to read a display either on the main fuel dispensing unit by display 9 or on hand pump display 3. Where the information is determined by a fuel volume monitoring means located in the reserve tank 8, optical fibre cable 20 assists in the transfer of information to hand pump 2.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the apparatus of the present invention in which a conduit such as a pipe or hose incorporates an optical fibre for transferring information along the conduit from one place to another, for example, concerning the quantity or speed of flow of fluid within the conduit, has particular application in the chemical industry. Electrical signals are generally not desirable in chemical installations because should for any reason the signal generate a spark, for example, when equipment fails, this could have devastating consequences. Therefore, it is desirable to use a fluid conduit adapted for use with optical fibres. Examples of how to place the optical fibre within the wall of the conduit are shown in figures IA and figures 4A to 4D. In figure 4D, optical fibre cable 20 is accommodated within a sleeve in the form of a recess 10 in the outer surface of the wall of hose 4. Hose 4 is made of a resilient material and therefore the walls of recess 10 are resilient. A suitably sized optical cable 20 can be snap fitted into recess 10 or removed, in the direction of arrow 30, if necessary for cleaning or replacement.

Claims

C ΔIMS

1. A hand held nozzle unit for dispensing fluid f om a conduit connected to a fluid dispensing installation or reservoir, the hand held nozzle unit comprising a handle, a fluid outlet, a trigger mechanism for controlling fluid dispensing and a display for displaying information which is transmitted from a remote location.

A nozzle unit according to claim 1, in which the display is positioned between the fluid outlet and the handle and/or the display is raised and/or tilted with respect to the handle of the nozzle unit.

3. A nozzle unit according to claim 1 or 2, in which the information displayed includes information on the amount of fluid dispensed.

4. A nozzle unit according to any preceding claim, in which the display is adapted to receive an optical signal and/or the display is an LED display and/or the display is a rotating barrel display.

5. A nozzle unit according to claim 4, in which the nozzle unit comprises a transversion device for converting the optical signal to display information.

6. A nozzle unit according to any preceding claim comprising means for determining the quantity of fluid being dispensed.

7. A fluid dispensing system comprising a hand held nozzle unit according to any preceding claim, a conduit for connecting the nozzle unit to a fluid dispensing installation, the system further comprising means for transferring information along the conduit from the fluid dispensing installation to the display in the nozzle unit.

8. A fluid dispensing system according to claim 7, in which the means for transferring information along the conduit comprises one or more optical fibres.

9. A hand held nozzle unit according to claims 4 or 5, or a fluid dispensing system according to claim 7 or 8, in which the nozzle unit is adapted to receive an optical image sent to the nozzle unit by means of several optical fibres and an image is developed on the display corresponding to the image sent along the fibres.

10. A fluid conduit provided with one or more optical fibres to transfer information along its length.

11. A fluid dispensing system according to any of claims

7, 8 or 9 or a conduit according to claim 10, in which the conduit is a rigid or flexible pipe or hose.

12. A fluid dispensing system according to any of claims

8, 9 or 11 or a conduit according to claim 10 or 11, in which one or more optical fibre cables containing one or more optical fibres are provided.

13. A system according to claims 8, 9, 11 or 12 or a conduit according to any of claims 10, 11 or 12, the conduit being adapted to accommodate the optical fibre or fibres.

14. A system or conduit according to claim 13, comprising one or more sleeves sized and shaped to accommodate one or more optical fibres.

15. A system or conduit according to claim 14, in which the sleeve is detachable.

16. A system or conduit according to any of claims 13, 14 or 15, in which the optical fibre is mounted along the conduit by means of clips.

17. A system or conduit according to claim 16, in which the clips are resilient.

18. A system or conduit according to claim 14, in which the conduit is provided with an integral sleeve.

19. A system or conduit according to claim 18, in which the sleeve is positioned within the wall of the conduit.

20. A system or conduit according to claim 18 or 19, in which the sleeve is moulded in the wall of the conduit.

21. A system or conduit according to claim 18, 19 or 20 in which the sleeve comprises an elongate tube or recess along the conduit.

22. A system or conduit according to claim 21, in which the tube or recess is situated towards the outer surface of the wall of the conduit and in the case of the recess it opens out to said outer surface.

23. A system or conduit according to claim 21, in which the tube is generally centrally located between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall of the conduit.

24. A system or conduit according to any of claims 13-23, in which, in use, the surface of the sleeve and/or optical fibre cable is generally flush with the outer and/or inner surface of the wall of the conduit.

25. A system or conduit according to any of claims 21 or 24, in which the recess is resilient so as to resiliently hold the optical fibre cable.

26 A system or conduit according to claim 25, in which the recess is sized and shaped so that when the optical fibre cable is inserted in the recess it does not protrude substantially beyond the outer surface of the conduit.

27. A hand held nozzle unit for dispensing fluid or a fluid dispensing system, or conduit for transferring information along its length substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying figures.