WO2010078881A1

WO2010078881A1 - A pump system for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2010078881A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/007537
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Mcneil
Original assignee: Central Welding Limited
Priority date: 2008-12-17
Filing date: 2009-10-21
Publication date: 2010-07-15
Also published as: GB0822934D0; GB2478890B; GB2478890A; GB201112351D0

Abstract

A pump system for a vehicle such as a tanker, the pump system having a pump and a pump engine that is separate from the vehicle's engine. The pump system is configured such that the pump does not work unless the vehicle's engine is switched off. Advantageously, the pump system is further configured such that the pump does not work unless the vehicle's brakes are on and the vehicle's cab is locked.

Description

A Pump System for a Vehicle

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to pump systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a pump metering system that can be incorporated onto a vehicle such as a tanker.

Background to the Invention

Pump metering systems that are incorporated onto a vehicle such as a tanker are conventionally powered by the engine of the vehicle itself. The vehicle engine must therefore be running for the pump metering system to work and this can use up valuable engine fuel.

It would be desirable to provide an apparatus that mitigates the problem identified above.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a pump system for a vehicle having an engine and at least one compartment for material to be dispensed by said pump system, the pump system comprising a pump, a pump engine for operating the pump, a pump control system and means for dispensing said material under the action of said pump, the pump control system being arranged to receive a first signal indicative of whether or not said vehicle engine is running, and to control the pump system to allow said material to be dispensed if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is not running and to prevent material from being dispensed if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is running. A second aspect of the invention provides a vehicle having an engine, at least one compartment for material to be dispensed and a pump system according to the first aspect of the invention.

A further aspect of the invention provides a pump system, and especially a pump metering system, for incorporation onto a vehicle such as a tanker, the vehicle including an engine management system and a braking system; the pump system comprising a pump engine; and a pump control system, the pump control system being co-operable with the said vehicle's engine management system and braking system.

Preferably, the pump control system is constructed and arranged to be co-operable, in use, with the vehicle engine management system such that the pump system will not operate unless the vehicle engine is switched off.

Preferably, the pump control system is constructed and arranged to be co-operable, in use, with the vehicle brake system such that the pump system will not operate unless the vehicle brake system is on, and in particular, so that the pump system will not operate unless the vehicle hand brake is on.

Preferably, the pump control system is constructed and arranged to be integrated, in use, with the vehicle brake system such that, when the pump system is in use, the vehicle brake system is not releasable until the pump system is switched off i.e. the vehicle brake system stays on when the pump system is on, in particular, so that the vehicle brake system stays on when the pump system is on even if the hand brake is released.

Preferably, the pump system comprises a pump engine, pump, air eliminator, meter chamber with pulser unit, two-way flow control valve and control system all operable, in use, to controllably dispense contents of a vehicle such as a tanker. Preferably, the control system comprises a control panel having a means for starting the pump engine, means for stopping the pump engine, means for running the pump engine and means for electronically registering the meter.

Other preferred features of the invention are recited in the dependent claims.

One advantage of the invention is that the control system includes an engine which, being separate from the vehicle engine, may run on cheaper fuel than is required for the vehicle engine (e.g. red diesel).

A second advantage of the invention is the reduced time that either the vehicle engine or pump engine is running. The pump engine is only running for the length of time required to dispense the product, while the vehicle engine is only running when the vehicle is in use.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of a specific embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 , which shows a schematic block diagram of a pump metering system embodying the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown, generally indicated as 10, a schematic diagram of a pump system or pump metering system embodying the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the pump metering system 10 is incorporated onto a vehicle (not shown) such as a tanker which comprises a compartment 11 or plurality of compartments that, in use, store material which can be dispensed from the compartment by means of the pump metering system 10. As examples, the material may take the form of a liquid, particulate or gas, or any other fluid or flowable material. The vehicle and compartment(s) are omitted from Figure 1 for clarity. During use, the pump metering system 10 transfers the material from the compartment(s) to a delivery zone (not shown). The delivery zone may, for example, be a second compartment or tank separate from the vehicle. The vehicle has its own engine (not shown) for propelling itself. The vehicle also has a braking system 42, which typically includes a parking brake that is usually operated by a hand and/or foot operated device located within the cab of the vehicle. For larger vehicles such as tankers or trucks, the braking system is often pneumatically operated. In the embodiment described below, it is assumed that the vehicle braking system 42 is pneumatically operated, although it will be understood that the invention may equally be used with any other type of braking system, including hydraulic, mechanical, electro-mechanical or electronically assisted braking systems.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pump metering system 10 comprises a pump engine 12, gearbox 14, air/gas eliminator 18, pump 20, meter chamber 22 (typically with a pulser unit), two-way control valve 24, and means for delivery 25 and control unit 26. The control unit 26 may comprise a suitably programmed microprocessor, microcontroller or other electrical/electronic controller, as will be understood by a skilled person. The control unit 26 is preferably co-operable with a control panel 32 preferably having means, e.g. a switch (not shown), for starting the pump engine 12, and means, e.g. a switch (not shown), for stopping the pump engine 12 (the same switch or other device may be used for both purposes as may be convenient). The control panel typically also includes a register, e.g. an electronic register (not shown), for the meter 22 and usually also means for recording and printing pump system data 34. The control panel 32 preferably also has a master ON/OFF switch and, typically, user controls for setting delivery quantities. In use, an operator operates the control panel 32, which then sends appropriate signals to the control unit 26 to cause the control unit 26 to control the operation of the system 10. The gas eliminator 18 may be of conventional design. The pump engine 12 may be a conventional engine, preferably a diesel engine. In a preferred embodiment, the pump 20 takes the form of a rotary vane pump suitable for pumping mid-distillates. In alternative embodiments, the pump may take any suitable conventional form. The meter 22 and electronic register may also be conventional. The pump engine 12 is separate from the vehicle's engine and may be mounted on the vehicle in any convenient location. Advantageously, the pump engine 12 is of a type that runs on fuel that is less expensive than the fuel on which the vehicle's engine runs. For example, the pump engine 12 may run on a relatively cheap diesel fuel, such as red diesel, LPG or other gaseous fuel, or a biofuel, whereas the vehicle's engine would normally run on standard petrol (gasoline) or diesel fuel for road-going vehicles. Advantageously, the pump engine 12 has a smaller capacity than the vehicle's engine such that it uses less fuel.

The vehicle compartment(s) 11 that contain the material to be dispensed, air eliminator 18, pump 20, meter 22, two-way control valve 24 and delivery means 25 are, in use, connected in series via flow lines or pipes (indicated by arrows A). In use, the material to be dispensed travels under the action of the pump 20 through the pipes A from the compartment 11 towards the delivery means 25. The pump engine 12 and gearbox 14 are, in use, mechanically connected (indicated by arrows B) to the pump 20 such that, in use, the pump engine 12 controllably operates the pump 20. The pump 20, meter 22 and two-way control valve 24 are also interconnected (indicated by arrow C), pneumatically in this example, to the control unit 26 such that, in use, the control unit 26 can control each of these components. Furthermore, the pump engine 12 and meter 22 are each connected (indicated by arrows D), electrically in this example, to the control unit 26. The control unit 26 can therefore send signals to the pump engine 12 to either activate or deactivate the pump engine 12 and in addition determine whether or not the pump engine 12 is running, while information from the meter 22 can be sent to the control system 26. As indicated by arrows E, the control unit 26 is co-operable with the vehicle's engine management system 40 commonly referred to as the engine control unit (ECU)). This allows the control unit 26 to determine whether or not the vehicle's engine is running or inactive, and additionally allows the vehicle engine management system 40 to determine whether or not the pump system 10 is active or inactive. The control unit 26 is also co-operable with the vehicle braking system 42. In Figure 1 this is represented by arrows F, which in this example indicate a pneumatic connection since the braking system 42 is assumed to be pneumatic. This allows the control system 26 to determine whether or not the vehicle braking system 42 is active or inactive, allows the vehicle braking system 42 to determine whether or not the pump system 10 is active or inactive and preferably also allows the control unit 26 to control the vehicle braking system 42.

It will be understood that the system 10 may determine whether or not the vehicle's engine is running by any convenient means, not necessarily via the engine management system 40. For example, this may be achieved signals received from one or more of a suitably located exhaust gas sensor arranged to detect exhaust gas from the vehicle's engine, a vibration sensor arranged to detect vibration of the vehicle's engine (either directly or indirectly by placement on the engine or other part of the vehicle), or the vehicle's ignition system.

In the preferred embodiment, the pump metering system 10 will not operate (e.g. the control unit 26 will not allow the engine 12 to start) unless the vehicle engine is switched off and the vehicle brake system 42 is on. In particular it is preferred that the pump metering system 10 will not operate unless the vehicle parking brake, e.g. hand brake, is on. When the pump metering system 10 is in use, the control unit 26 controls the brake system 42 such that at least one of the vehicle's brakes is not releasable until the pump metering system 10 is switched off, i.e. the vehicle brake system 42 stays on when the pump metering system 10 is on, even if the vehicle handbrake lever (or other parking brake operating device) is released. It is also preferred that the control unit 26 and ECU 40 are co-operable such that ^' the vehicle engine will not operate unless the pump system 10 is switched off. During use, an operator manoeuvres the vehicle near to the delivery zone, the vehicle engine is switched off and the vehicle braking system engaged. If the tanker has more than one compartment, the operator selects the relevant compartment (e.g. via the control panel 32) causing the material to flood the delivery line from the compartment, typically through a manifold 16, into the air eliminator 18 and as far as the inlet port (not shown) of the pump 14. It is noted that in the preferred embodiment, the pump engine 12 is not running at this time. Preferably a filter (not shown) is located within the air eliminator 18 to protect downstream components from debris.

The operator starts the pump engine 12 via the control panel 32. This may, for example, be achieved by operating the master ON/OFF switch to its on state. Using the electronic register, which may be provided on the control panel 32, the user can select his product (if applicable) and select the desired delivery quantity. In the preferred embodiment, the control unit 26 receives a start signal from the electronic register (or from the control panel by some other means) and in turn sends a signal to start the engine 12. When the operator attempts to start the engine 12, the control unit 26 will only send an activating signal to the pump engine 12 if it first determines from the vehicle engine management system 40 that the vehicle engine is switched off and, preferably, from the vehicle braking system 42 (or indirectly via the ECU 40) that the vehicle braking system is engaged. The signal from the braking system is conveniently a pneumatic signal in the present example.

When the pump engine 12 is started, the control system 26 sends respective signals (pneumatic signals in the present example) to the pump 20, meter 22 and two-way valve 24. The signal sent from the control system 26 to the pump 12 operates the pump 12 such that the material in the delivery line A flows through the pump 12 towards the meter 22. The signal sent from the control system 26 to the meter 22 activates the meter 22 towards the downstream two-way control valve 24. The signal sent from the control system 26 to the two-way valve 24 allows material in the delivery line A to flow through the two-way control valve 24 towards delivery means 25 such that the material is dispensed.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 , the two-way valve 24 is operable between two open states. In the first open state the material is directed towards a first delivery means 25 such as a hose 27 with suitable delivery nozzle (not shown). Preferably the hose 27 and/or delivery nozzle incorporates a non-return valve (not shown). The hose 27 may be mounted on the vehicle. In the second open state the material is directed towards a second delivery means 25 such as a bulk line 29. Preferably an air injection point is located downstream of the two-way valve 24 (in the, or each, flow line) to permit blowdown. In alternative embodiments, there may be only one delivery device in which case the two-way valve is not needed, or may be more that two selectable delivery devices in which case a multi-way valve is provided, the valve being operable to select to direct material to one or other of the delivery devices.

By way of example the pump metering system 10 may be capable of dispensing metered product at up to 400 litre/min via a conventional hose 27 or at up to 800 litre/min via a 3" bulk outlet 29.

Optionally, the or each delivery device 25 may be provided with a disabling device (not shown) that prevents it from being used if the vehicle's engine is running. The disabling device may for example comprise a valve that can be opened or shut under the control of the control system 26 to allow or prevent, as appropriate, material from being dispensed from the delivery device. In cases where the delivery device includes a deployable component, for example a hose, the disabling device may be configured and arranged to prevent deployment of the deployable component. For example, where a hose is deployable from a hose reel, the disabling device may be arranged to selectably lock the reel. This prevents the operator from leaving the vehicle's engine running while he deploys the hose to the delivery zone (which may take several minutes and so waste fuel). The meter 22 detects the flow rate of the material travelling through the flow lines A. The information regarding the flow rate is then sent electronically to the control unit 26. In a preferred embodiment this information may be displayed on the control panel 32. The information regarding the flow rate of the material may be used to determine how the control system 26 controls the pump 20 in order that the flow rate may be maintained or altered to a desired setting.

The meter 22 may also measure the amount of material travelling through the flow lines A (although this may be performed by the control system 26). In particular, the meter 22 measures the amount of material being dispensed by the pump metering system 10. This information is then sent electronically to the control system 26. In a preferred embodiment the information regarding the amount of material being dispensed may be displayed on the control panel 32. In a preferred embodiment the operator can pre-programme a desired amount of material to be dispensed by the pump metering system 10. In this embodiment the control unit 26 detects when the amount of material being expelled by the pump metering system 10 is nearing the pre-programmed amount and makes corresponding adjustments to the signals sent to the pump 12 such that the flow rate of the material is reduced. As a result the amount of material expelled by the pump metering system 10 is more accurate. When the control system 26 detects that the desired amount of material has been expelled by the pump metering system 10 the control system 26 adjusts the signals sent to the pump 20 and two-way valve 24 to shut down the pump 20 and adjust the two-way control valve 24 to a shut-off state. Subsequent signals sent to the pump 20 adjust the pump to full relief (as described below).

Typically the pump 20 includes or is associated with a relief valve (not shown), which provides a bypass route across the pump via a feedback line from the input of the pump 20. The relief valve allows flowing material to at least partly bypass the pump thereby reducing its outline pressure during stalled flow conditions. Conveniently, the relief valve is controllable by signals, typically pneumatic signals, from the control unit 26, these signals being conveniently derived from signals from the gas separator 18 and from the flow rate, as measured by the electronic register. The control unit 26 may also operate the relief valve to adjust the flow rate of material through the system 10 as described above.

Optionally, the system 10 may be connected to the locking system of the vehicle's cab such that the pump 20 will be prevented from starting, and/or any other means for deactivating the system 10 adopt a deactivating state, unless the cab is locked. To this end, the pump control system 26 may be in communication with the central locking system (if present) of the vehicle by any suitable means to detect whether or not the cab is locked, or in communication with one or more of the vehicle's locks by any other convenient means. The arrangement may be such that the cab cannot be unlocked if the pump system 10 is still active.

Optionally, the system 10 may include means for deactivating the pump 20 in response to detecting an increase in the pressure on the flow line A downstream of the pump 20 above a threshold. The deactivating means may comprise a pressure sensitive switch (not shown) incorporated into the flow line A downstream of the pump 20 (for example between the pump 20 and the meter 22). When excess pressure in the line A is detected by the pressure sensitive switch, the switch signals to the control system 26 (or directly to the pump 20) in response to which the pump 20 is turned off. The deactivating means serves to protect the system 10 against, for example, a blockage in the flow line A downstream of the pump 20. In cases where said pressure relief valve is present, it is preferred that said pressure threshold for activating said deactivating means is lower than the threshold at which said pressure relief valve activates.

The deactivating means may additionally or alternatively be configured to deactivating the pump 20 in response to detecting a decrease in the pressure on the flow line A downstream of the pump 20 below a threshold. To this end a pressure sensitive switch may be incorporated into the flow line A downstream of the pump 20 (for example between the pump 20 and the meter 22). When low pressure in the line A is detected by the pressure sensitive switch, the switch signals to the control system 26 (or directly to the pump 20) in response to which the pump 20 is turned off. In this way, the deactivating means serves to deactivate the system 10 in the event of, for example, a burst delivery pipe.

At the end of the delivery the operator may record and print information regarding the amount of material dispensed by the pump metering system via the recording and printing means 34.

If during use of the pump metering system 10 the vehicle brake system 42 is released, in particular if the vehicle hand brake is released, the control system 26 causes the vehicle braking system 42 to maintain the vehicle brake system 42 in an engaged state.

When the operator wishes to restart the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine is only activatable when the vehicle engine managing system 40 and the vehicle braking system 42 first receive signals from the control system 26 that the pump engine 12 is switched off.

The pump metering system 10 is particularly suited for use with rigid chassis type vehicles or semi-trailer/tractor unit type vehicles. Moreover, system 10 may be used with a wide variety of dispensing tankers, for example tankers which dispense oil, milk, water or other suitable products.

In alternative embodiments, the manifold, the air eliminator, the gearbox, the two- way valve, and/or the ticket printer may be omitted or rearranged within the system as would be apparent to a skilled person.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the components of the system 10 communicate with one another using pneumatic and/or electrical signals as appropriate (for example electrical signals may be used to operate pneumatic valves). In alternative embodiments, the various pneumatic and/or electrical signals mentioned herein may be replaced with any other suitable type of signal depending on the nature of the system components that are communicating with one another.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein, which may be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. A pump system for a vehicle having an engine and at least one compartment for material to be dispensed by said pump system, the pump system comprising a pump, a pump engine for operating the pump, a pump control system and means for dispensing said material under the action of said pump, the pump control system being arranged to receive a first signal indicative of whether or not said vehicle engine is running, and to control the pump system to allow said material to be dispensed if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is not running and to prevent material from being dispensed if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is running.

2. A pump system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle includes a brake system, said pump system being arranged to receive a second signal that is indicative of whether or not said brake system is activated, and to control the pump system to allow said material to be dispensed if said second signal indicates that said brake system is active and to prevent material from being dispensed if said second signal indicates that said brake system is not active.

3. A pump system as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said vehicle includes a cab and a locking system for said cab, said pump system being arranged to receive a third signal that is indicative of whether or not said cab is locked by said locking system, and to control the pump system to allow said material to be dispensed if said third signal indicates that said cab is locked by said locking system and to prevent material from being dispensed if said third signal indicates that said cab is not locked by said locking system.

4. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said vehicle includes an engine management system, the pump control system being arranged to receive said first signal from said engine management system.

5. A pump system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said pump control system is arranged to receive said first signal from one or more of an exhaust gas sensor arranged to detect exhaust gas from the vehicle's engine, a vibration sensor arranged to detect vibration of the vehicle's engine, or the vehicle's ignition system

6. A pump system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein said pump control system is arranged to receive said second signal from said brake system.

7. A pump system as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein said brake system includes a parking brake, and wherein said second signal is indicative of whether said parking brake is on or off.

8. A pump system as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein said pump control system is arranged to receive said third signal from said locking system, especially where said locking system comprises a central locking system.

9. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said pump control system is arranged to receive a pump control signal indicative of whether or not said pump is to be activated, said pump control system being co-operable with said pump engine to activate or de-activate the pump engine, and wherein, in response to receiving a pump control signal indicating that said pump is to be activated, said pump control system is arranged to activate said pump engine only if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is not running.

10. A pump system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said pump control system is arranged to activate said pump engine only if said second signal indicates that said brake system is active.

11. A pump system as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said pump control system is arranged to activate said pump engine only if said third signal indicates that said cab is locked.

12. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, further including an operating panel comprising at least one user control device for allowing a user to operate the pump system, and wherein said control panel being arranged to generate a pump control signal in response to the setting of said at least one user control device and to communicate said pump control signal to said pump control system.

13. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle includes an engine management system, the pump control system being co- operable with said engine management system and arranged to cause said engine management system to prevent said vehicle engine from being started when said pump system is active.

14. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the pump control system is co-operable with said brake system and arranged to prevent said brake system from being deactivated when said pump system is active.

15. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said vehicle includes a cab and a locking system for said cab, the pump control system being co-operable with said locking system and arranged to cause said locking system to prevent said cab from being unlocked when said pump system is active.

16. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said dispensing means includes at least one delivery device provided with a disabling device that selectably prevents the delivery device from being used, said pump control system being co-operable with said disabling device to cause the disabling device to prevent the delivery device from being used if the vehicle engine is running.

17. A pump system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the disabling device comprises a valve that can be opened or shut under the control of the pump control system to allow or prevent material from being dispensed from the delivery device.

18. A pump system as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the delivery device includes a deployable component, the disabling device being arranged to selectably prevent deployment of the deployable component.

19. A pump system as claimed in claim 18, wherein said deployable component comprises a hose deployable from a hose reel, the disabling device being arranged to selectably lock the hose reel.

20. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said dispensing means includes at least one delivery device, the pump system further including means for deactivating the pump system in response to detecting an increase in the pressure in the dispensing means between the pump and said at least one delivery device above a threshold.

21. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said dispensing means includes at least one delivery device, the pump system further including means for deactivating the pump system in response to detecting a decrease in the pressure in the dispensing means between the pump and said at least one delivery device below a threshold.

22. A pump system as claimed in claim 20 or 21, wherein said deactivating means comprises at least one pressure sensitive switch incorporated into the dispensing means downstream of the pump.

23. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said pump engine is of a smaller engine capacity than said vehicle engine.

24. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said pump engine runs on a different fuel to said vehicle engine.

25. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, further including a meter co-operable with said dispensing means and arranged to measure the flow rate and/or quantity of material dispensed by said pump system.

26. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said dispensing means further includes an gas elimination device for substantially eliminating gas from material drawn from said at least one compartment, said gas elimination device preferably being located upstream of said pump.

27. A pump system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said dispensing means includes more than one delivery device, the pump system further including a multi-way valve, the valve being arranged and operable to direct material to one or other of the delivery devices.

28. A vehicle having an engine and at least one compartment for material to be dispensed, the vehicle further comprising a pump system comprising a pump, a pump engine for operating the pump, a pump control system and means for dispensing said material under the action of said pump, the pump control system being arranged to receive a first signal indicative of whether or not said vehicle engine is running, and to control the pump system to allow said material to be dispensed if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is not running and to prevent material from being dispensed if said first signal indicates that said vehicle engine is running.