WO2012103498A2 - Station-service autonome - Google Patents

Station-service autonome Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012103498A2
WO2012103498A2 PCT/US2012/023000 US2012023000W WO2012103498A2 WO 2012103498 A2 WO2012103498 A2 WO 2012103498A2 US 2012023000 W US2012023000 W US 2012023000W WO 2012103498 A2 WO2012103498 A2 WO 2012103498A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
station
fuel
subsystem
electrical
control computer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/023000
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2012103498A3 (fr
Inventor
Michael CARRUTH
Eric DICKSON
Original Assignee
Fillner Construction, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fillner Construction, Inc. filed Critical Fillner Construction, Inc.
Publication of WO2012103498A2 publication Critical patent/WO2012103498A2/fr
Publication of WO2012103498A3 publication Critical patent/WO2012103498A3/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
    • B67D7/0401—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants arrangements for automatically fuelling vehicles, i.e. without human intervention
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60S—SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60S5/00—Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles
    • B60S5/02—Supplying fuel to vehicles; General disposition of plant in filling stations
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/04—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes for transferring fuels, lubricants or mixed fuels and lubricants
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/08—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/08—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred
    • B67D7/14—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/08—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred
    • B67D7/14—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards
    • B67D7/145—Arrangements of devices for controlling, indicating, metering or registering quantity or price of liquid transferred responsive to input of recorded programmed information, e.g. on punched cards by wireless communication means, e.g. RF, transponders or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
    • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
    • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
    • B67D7/32—Arrangements of safety or warning devices; Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
    • B67D7/34—Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid
    • B67D7/344—Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid by checking a correct coupling or coded information
    • B67D7/346—Means for preventing unauthorised delivery of liquid by checking a correct coupling or coded information by reading a code
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H1/00—Buildings or groups of buildings for dwelling or office purposes; General layout, e.g. modular co-ordination or staggered storeys
    • E04H1/12—Small buildings or other erections for limited occupation, erected in the open air or arranged in buildings, e.g. kiosks, waiting shelters for bus stops or for filling stations, roofs for railway platforms, watchmen's huts or dressing cubicles
    • E04H1/1205—Small buildings erected in the open air
    • E04H1/1233—Shelters for filling stations

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains generally to liquid fuel dispensing
  • Typical retail vehicle fuel filling stations have one or more islands with metered dispensers that have nozzles matched to an opening in the fuel tank of the vehicle for receiving gasoline, diesel or alternative fuels such as ethanol or biodiesel.
  • the purchaser of the fuel pays an attendant with currency or with a credit card or debit card and the gasoline pumps are set by the attendant to deliver the volume of fuel purchased by the purchaser.
  • An attendant normally monitors the full service and self-service pumps and controls the delivery of fuel from each of the pumps.
  • Fuel is normally stored in bulk storage containers or tanks that may be located below the ground or above ground level. Fuels of different grades or types are usually transported from a fuel wholesale facility to retail filling stations or truck terminals and placed in the bulk storage tanks.
  • the wholesale fuel facility may store large volumes of fuel from a fuel refinery for distribution. Fuel from the refinery may be transported by rail car, fuel barge or ship, pipeline or other similar delivery method.
  • a filling station in a remote area may require not only the construction of the station but also the construction of supporting buildings for an attendant with the placement of new water and sewer systems as well as running new power lines and telephone lines over long distances.
  • the apparatus of the present invention generally comprises an independent fueling system that is designed to operate off-grid (without connection to electrical utilities) in remote locations. It is designed to be an un-attended retail vehicle fueling system that uses card readers to authorize the dispensing of fuel into vehicles. It can be set up for credit card, debit card, and proprietary private card systems.
  • the preferred major components include one or more underground fuel tanks, fuel piping, a concrete drive slab, a covered canopy, fuel dispensers, LED lighting, electrical controls, battery backup system, generator system, and photovoltaic panels (PV). It can operate in a stand-alone mode without any connection to an electric utility system, or it can be grid connected where available.
  • the primary energy source is preferably a renewable energy source such as windmills, steam, or PV panels or fuel cells etc. or any combination of renewable sources. Any excess energy from the primary source is used to charge a battery bank.
  • the secondary source is the generator, and/or grid supplied electricity if it is readily available.
  • the preferred modular system has a central control center with a
  • the station control computer has programming that controls a number of station subsystems.
  • One embodiment has an electricity generation subsystem with a solar array, a battery bank, a battery charger and a standby generator; a retail transaction subsystem with a card reader, key pad, video camera (optional), microphone (optional), speaker (optional) and display; a fuel dispensing subsystem with at least one bulk fuel storage tank and at least one fuel dispenser with a tank mounted submersible pump, pump controller, hose and nozzle connected to the fuel storage tank; a security subsystem that may include digital cameras, remote monitoring sensors that can detect the proper operation of the fuel dispenser or card reader; and a status sensor subsystem with bulk fuel level sensors, electricity production sensors, electricity
  • monitoring of the photovoltaic system can be automatically monitored by the central control center computer through the communications link.
  • the heart of the system is a unique control system that allows the
  • the control system allows the facility to monitor various sources of electricity, and switch between sources based on a specific logic programming provided by the station control computer.
  • the basic logic is to run all of the systems off the PV generation system when it is producing enough power to run everything.
  • the PV system is connected to a battery backup system which supplements or fully supplies power when the PV system is not producing enough electricity to run the entire system. Once the battery backup system supply drops below a pre-determined minimum capacity (for example 50% of the battery charge), the control system switches to one of the other available sources of electricity such as the generator or the electric grid if it is available.
  • the secondary source of electricity then supplies the system and charges the bank of batteries.
  • the secondary source of electricity is shut off.
  • the system then continues to operate on battery only until the primary electricity source (PV system) can again supply adequate electricity, or the batteries again discharge to the re-charge point.
  • PV system primary electricity source
  • This cycle repeats as often as necessary so the system is available 100% of the time, 24 hours per day, seven days per week, and 365 days per year.
  • the primary power source that is preferred is a set of photovoltaic
  • the components are sized such that the backup generator system or grid supplied power would not be used during consecutive sunny days.
  • the secondary energy sources would only become necessary when there are consecutive days without sunshine or in an emergency where there is a large demand or a system malfunction.
  • the remote filling station is wirelessly connected to a central control center that can receive information from the station including live video feeds from security cameras, sensor data from bulk storage tanks, energy usage and production and transaction information etc. Operators at the central control center can act as remote attendants with the capability of remotely turning off lights, advertising signs, pumps and activating security measures.
  • the central control could also communicate with purchasers with audio or audio video communicators located at the pump, in one embodiment.
  • remote stations are connected to a central control center via direct wireless communications; Internet based communications or wired communications where available.
  • Another embodiment of the system uses the newest forms of energy efficient components available currently on the market. These include LED lighting which reduces lighting power consumption by up to 80% over traditional types of exterior lighting (metal halide, low pressure sodium, etc.) with average life expectancies of up to 300,000 hours before lamp
  • an independent, self- sustained fuel dispensing station and system are provided that can be installed in remote locations where there is no access to electrical power from a public utility or access to wired telephone or Internet services.
  • a modular fueling station and system are provided that has security measures to protect the station components from extreme weather and vandalism.
  • a remote filling station has a system of wireless communications between the station and credit and debit service providers as well as with a central control center to receive sensor information and status information from a station control computer and video and audio from security cameras.
  • FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a two pump fueling station embodiment of the invention with below ground fuel storage tanks for three grades of fuel.
  • FIG. 2 is a front view of the two pump fueling station embodiment
  • FIG. 1 according to the invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic flow chart of an electrical production and control system according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • the apparatus and system of the present invention generally comprises one or more independent self- contained fueling stations that can be placed in remote locations without an on-site attendant or connections with wired telephone or electrical utility power sources.
  • the station control components are preferably in communication with a central control center through a wireless link that permits remote monitoring and control of the station and station sensors and monitors from the central control center. This allows the station to be available for retail fueling services all day and every day of the year and to be continuously monitored.
  • FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 one embodiment of the invention 10 with two pumps is schematically shown.
  • the station shown is configured with a below ground bulk fuel tank 12 divided into three sections to hold three different grades of gasoline, or alternative fuels, or diesel fuel.
  • multiple tanks or multiple tanks with fewer compartments may be used for fuel storage.
  • the tank 12 has filling portals 14, 16, and 18 placed through concrete pad 20 corresponding to the different grades or types of fuels to be stored in tank 12. Fuel is transported to the station location by tanker truck and deposited through the filling portals to the appropriate compartment of tank 12.
  • the compartments of bulk tank 12 preferably have fuel level sensors that continually monitor the level of the fuel in the tank. These monitoring sensors will also verify the amount of fuel delivered to the station by the fuel delivery truck and deposited in the tank as well as the remaining fuel available for purchase. Other fuel sensors continuously monitor secondary spaces around the bulk storage tanks, inside sumps, and the secondary space of double wall piping to detect any breaches of the primary containment. Fuel deliveries to the station can be planned so that deliveries take place when the tank 12 compartments are nearly empty. The station 10 can normally run without human intervention from several weeks to several months depending on fuel sales and the size and number of storage tanks.
  • a single subterranean bulk storage tank 12 is shown, it will be understood that several storage tanks can be used. In addition, above ground storage tanks can also be used to store one or more types of fuels for retail distribution.
  • the compartments of bulk storage tank 12 are connected to one or more dispensers.
  • the first dispenser 22 and the second dispenser 24 are connected with a conventional fuel piping and pumping system to the compartments of the bulk fuel tank 12.
  • the typical generic fuel dispenser has a motor controller which controls a remote submersible motor located in the bulk storage tank that actuates a pump.
  • the pump drives fuel through a meter and through valves to the fuel nozzle that has been placed in the fuel receptacle of the vehicle by the purchaser.
  • a register displays the amount of fuel that passes through the meter.
  • Generic gasoline pumps that are used at service stations have evolved into elaborate point-of-sale (POS) devices that have sophisticated control electronics and user interfaces with large displays and touch-pads or screens. These dispensers include various methods to facilitate payment, such as credit or debit card readers and cash processors, to expedite the fueling transactions.
  • Dispenser 22 and dispenser 24 are preferably structures with
  • enclosures 26, 28 that are made of steel and securely mounted to the pad 20.
  • the enclosures 26, 28 are designed to allow a purchaser with physical disabilities access to the dispenser interface from a seated position.
  • Dispenser 22 and dispenser 24 preferably have a purchase interface 30, 32 that has a display, keypad, fuel type or grade selection buttons and a bank card or gasoline credit card receptacle and reader for carrying out credit card or debit card transactions.
  • the dispensers 22, 24 preferably use a Point- of-sale (POS) interface system to authorize the transaction, account for the transaction and control the flow of fuel.
  • POS Point- of-sale
  • the dispenser 22, 24 is also connected to an emergency shut off switch as suggested by National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) or other applicable codes to stop the flow of fuel in an emergency.
  • the dispensers 22, 24 have a microphone and speaker to allow communications between the purchaser and a remote attendant.
  • Another embodiment includes a digital camera oriented in such a way at or near the dispenser 22, 24 to allow an attendant at a remote location to see and communicate with the purchaser at the fuel dispenser.
  • the purchaser initiates the transaction by swiping a credit or debit card in the reader at the dispenser interface 30, 32. Once the transaction is authorized, the purchaser selects the fuel grade and removes the fuel nozzle from the nozzle holder of the fuel dispenser 22, 24 and inserts the fuel nozzle into the opening of the vehicle's fuel tank and dispenses the fuel.
  • the dispenser 22, 24 can be disabled with a signal from a security
  • a signal from the station control system or central command system indicating that the station was closing and not offering services from the specific pump or as a station can also disable the credit and fuel dispensing functions of the dispensers 22, 24.
  • the fuel dispensers 22, 24 and station control center 34 are preferably covered with a canopy 36 to keep the sun or precipitation off of the fuel purchasers and the dispensers 22, 24.
  • the canopy 36 is supported by two uprights 38, 40.
  • the uprights are preferably made from steel mounted to reinforced concrete footings to support the canopy 36 in high winds or heavy snowfall.
  • the canopy 36 also has an array of solar panels 42 that can generate electricity with exposure to the sun.
  • the canopy 36 also has a communications link 46 with the photovoltaic system mounted to the ridge of the canopy 36.
  • Vertical concrete filled poles 44 are also present to protect the uprights 38, 40 from accidental collisions with vehicles or trailers entering or exiting the station 10.
  • the station control center 34 is preferably housed in a metal kiosk 48.
  • the station control center 34 is a computer with programming and storage that is connected to the station sensors, security system, communications system, transaction and dispensing systems, energy production and storage system, and station status monitoring and control systems.
  • the station control center has a second redundant computer as a backup in case of failure by the primary station control computer.
  • the station control center 34 computer is preferably connected through the communications link 46 to a central command center at a remote location so that the sensors, cameras, security measures, power functions, the station control computer and other operations can be controlled remotely from the central command center.
  • the central command center may exert control over the station control center 34 and station components with a supervisory human attendant or with a command computer that has programming that responds to selected conditions at the station and also monitors and records sensor and status data from the station control computer.
  • the preferred system has a central command center with a central control computer in communication with a station control computer at one or more satellite stations through a wireless communications link 46.
  • the station control computer programming has control over the activities of the station through an electricity generation subsystem; a retail transaction subsystem; a fuel dispensing subsystem; a security subsystem; a communications link, and a status sensor subsystem in one embodiment.
  • the station control computer and the various subsystems can be controlled remotely by the command center.
  • the station control center housing 48 may have an optional heating or cooling system 50 to control the environmental conditions of the station computer, sensors or other components with the housing to protect them from large variations in temperature. Temperature extremes may cause
  • the station control computer automatically controls the station control computer automatically
  • Transmissions of the data to the command center may be dynamic or scheduled. Evaluation of the transmitted station data may be conducted by a remote monitoring attendant or by the programming of a command center computer that can generate an alarm if conditions exceed predefined limits.
  • sensors in the sections of bulk storage tank 12 can detect the temperature, vapor pressure and fuel level and determine the volume of remaining fuel in each section of the tank 12.
  • a shipment of fuel to the station 10 can be scheduled automatically when the fuel levels drop below a certain level. The timing of the shipment of fuel to the station may also account for historical trends in sales of fuel at that particular station over time.
  • the station control center 34 computer can also generate and transmit an alarm to the command center when a malfunction in the electricity production system, the fuel transaction or dispensing system, or an act of vandalism or extreme weather conditions and the like are detected.
  • Alarms may identify circumstances that require the attention of a maintenance worker to travel to the station to replace, repair or troubleshoot a component.
  • a remote attendant can also exert remote control over the station in response to an alarm. For example, a security alarm may prompt the remote control of security cameras 68 to be directed to a particular point or the activation and use of additional security cameras when tampering is detected.
  • Lighting can also be controlled by the station control center 34
  • the station 10 is preferably equipped with high efficiency lights 56 mounted to the underside of the canopy that can be controlled by the station computer.
  • the computer may turn half of the lights 56 on the canopy 36 off as well as dim pre-selected lights during times when there is little or no traffic through the station to save on energy use.
  • the second half of the lights 56 can be activated when a card is swiped in the card reader, motion detected by a motion sensor, or some other triggering event indicating the presence of a customer.
  • the station 10 is preferably powered by a solar energy source 60 and a battery bank 54 that is part of an energy production and storage subsystem as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3.
  • the preferred primary source of electrical power is a renewable energy source in the form of an array of photovoltaic cells 42 that are capable of producing approximately 4 kilowatts of power from the sun.
  • the electrical power that is produced is used primarily to power the pumps and other station energy needs. Excess power from the solar array or other power source is used to charge the batteries of the battery bank 54.
  • a generator 52 can be actuated to recharge the battery bank 54 or to provide electricity directly for station pumps and other systems.
  • the generator 52 can be fueled by liquid fuel or gas fuel.
  • the generator 52 may have its own fuel supply or may be connected directly to the bulk fuel tanks 12 so that the generator has access to a large fuel reserve.
  • the generator 52 may also be fueled by propane or other flammable gas kept in storage tanks at the station.
  • the supply of electricity for the station is independent of the power grid so that the station is electrically self- sustaining supported by renewable energy, battery storage and fueled auxiliary electricity generation.
  • the renewable energy source provides power to the station and the battery storage supplements any electrical demand in excess of production.
  • the electrical demand for the fueling, station status, communication, security and control systems 58 is provided from three different prioritized sources: solar, battery and auxiliary generator.
  • the first source of power for station demands comes from the 4 KW photovoltaic generation system 60 based on solar cells 42 placed on top of the canopy 36.
  • the photovoltaic power controller 62 can direct all of the production from the solar cells 42 to supply the electrical demand of the fueling and station systems 58.
  • the electrical generation of the solar cells 42 can also be directed by the photovoltaic power controller 62 to a battery charging system 64 that monitors and charges the battery bank 54 with excess power to maintain the available capacity of the battery bank 54 at desired levels.
  • the electrical demand of the fueling and station systems 58 can be provided by the battery bank 54 as the source of power.
  • the battery bank 54 supplies the necessary electrical power demanded by the fueling and station control system 58.
  • the battery charging system 64 charges the battery bank 54 from supplemental sources.
  • the standby generator 52 will be actuated to first produce electricity for the fuelling and other station systems 58 and second for the charging system 64 to recharge the battery bank 54.
  • the standby generator 52 will preferably generate sufficient electrical energy to provide for both the fueling system and the battery charging system 64 at the same time.
  • the electricity can be provided by an electrical utility 66 where power from a utility is available.
  • the external power from the utility 66 is used to charge the battery bank 54 and to supply the station power demand until the battery bank 54 is fully charged or the power from the solar cells 42 becomes available.
  • the public utility can re-charge the electrical storage bank until its capacity is above 75% and the user electrical demand is below the production of the solar array.
  • the station is autonomous with no central
  • the station control center computer in this embodiment monitors and records sensor data, fuel levels and station status that can be reviewed when the station control center records during a regular maintenance visit.
  • the electrical energy demands in this embodiment are particularly low compared to the other configurations.
  • a modular retail fuel dispensing system has one or more fueling stations that are electrically self-sufficient without an on-site attendant and therefore suitable for placing in remote locations.
  • the modular stations can operate independently as well as by remote control from a command center through a wireless communications link.
  • the stations can be operated independently 24 hours a day and 7 days per week without human intervention needing only weekly to monthly deliveries of different fuels to the bulk fuel tanks 12 for storage and sale.
  • an electricity generation subsystem with a renewable electrical energy source, a battery bank, a battery charger and a standby generator; at least one bulk fuel storage tank; at least one fuel dispenser with a pump, pump controller, hose and nozzle fluidly connected to the fuel storage tank; a communications link; a card reader; and a station control computer with programming operably coupled to the communications link; the pump controller, the card reader and the electricity generation subsystem; wherein a transaction is initiated by the card reader and authorized by communications from the station control computer to a credit provider through the
  • station control computer activates the pump controller upon authorization of a transaction by the credit provider to dispense a volume of fuel.
  • the fueling station of embodiment 1 further comprising a security system controlled by the station control computer with at least one digital camera and sensors detecting tampering with the fuel dispenser or card reader.
  • a modular system for selling fuels at remote locations comprising a central control center; and at least one fuel dispensing station at a remote location from the central control center, the fuel dispensing station comprising an electricity generation subsystem with a renewable electrical energy source, a battery bank, a battery charger and a standby generator; a retail transaction subsystem with a card reader, key pad and display; a fuel dispensing subsystem with at least one bulk fuel storage tank and at least one fuel dispenser with a pump, pump controller, hose and nozzle fluidly connected to the fuel storage tank; and a station control subsystem with a station control computer with programming operably coupled to the central control center through a communications link and to the electricity generation subsystem, the retail transaction subsystem and fuel dispensing subsystem; and wherein the central control center can control the electricity generation subsystem, the retail transaction subsystem, the fuel dispensing subsystem and station control subsystem remotely.
  • station control computer controlled by the station control computer with a plurality of digital cameras and sensors detecting tampering with a fuel dispenser or card reader.
  • subsystem further comprises: a plurality of fuel sensors continuously monitoring secondary spaces around the bulk storage tanks, pumps, and pipes to detect leaking, said sensors coupled to the station control computer.
  • subsystem further comprises: a fuel dispenser mounted video camera, microphone, speaker and display controlled by the station control computer; wherein an attendant at the central control center can receive real time audio and video images of a purchaser at the fuel dispensing station and
  • fuel level sensors configured to determine the amount of fuel present in the bulk storage tank and report the level to the station control computer.
  • renewable electrical energy source comprises an array of solar cells.
  • a modular system for selling fuels at remote locations comprising a central control center with a central control computer operably connected to a plurality of station control computers in remote satellite stations through a communications link; and at least one fuel dispensing station at a remote location from the central control center, the fuel dispensing station comprising an electricity generation subsystem with a solar array, a battery bank, a battery charger and a standby generator; a retail transaction subsystem with a card reader, key pad and display; a fuel dispensing subsystem with at least one bulk fuel storage tank and at least one fuel dispenser with a pump, pump controller, hose and nozzle fluidly connected to the fuel storage tank; a security subsystem with a plurality of digital cameras and sensors detecting tampering with a fuel dispenser or card reader; and a station control subsystem with a station control computer with programming operably coupled to the central control center through a communications link and to the electricity generation subsystem, the retail transaction subsystem, the security subsystem and the fuel dispensing subsystem; wherein
  • subsystem further comprises: a fuel dispenser mounted video camera, microphone, speaker and display controlled by the station control computer; wherein an attendant at the central control center can receive real time audio and video images of a purchaser at the fuel dispenser and communicate with the purchaser over the communications link.
  • Embodiments of the present invention may be described with reference to equations, algorithms, and/or flowchart illustrations of methods according to embodiments of the invention. These methods may be implemented using computer program instructions executable on a computer. These methods may also be implemented as computer program products either separately, or as a component of an apparatus or system. In this regard, each equation, algorithm, or block or step of a flowchart, and combinations thereof, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and/or software including one or more computer program instructions embodied in computer- readable program code logic.
  • any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer, including without limitation a general purpose computer or special purpose computer, or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the computer program instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the equation(s), algorithm(s), and/or flowchart(s).
  • the computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable processing apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the equation(s), algorithm(s), and/or block(s) of the flowchart(s).

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Abstract

La présente invention concerne une station de distribution de carburant sans personnel et autonome et un système permettant la vente au détail ou commerciale de carburants dans des endroits géographiquement éloignés. La station peut être indépendante des services publics d'électricité et de communication et peut fonctionner par commande à distance, sans personnel sur place. Le système préféré possède un centre de commande centralisée avec un ordinateur de commande en communication avec un ordinateur de commande de station situé au niveau d'une ou plusieurs stations satellites par le biais d'une liaison de communication. L'ordinateur de commande de station peut être commandé à distance par le centre de commande. La programmation de l'ordinateur de commande de station permet de contrôler les activités de la station au moyen d'un sous-système de production d'électricité avec un panneau solaire, un banc de batteries, un chargeur de batterie et groupe électrogène de secours ; un sous-système de transaction de vente au détail ; un sous-système de distribution de carburant ; un sous-système de sécurité avec des caméras vidéo ; une liaison de communication et un sous-système de détection d'état.
PCT/US2012/023000 2011-01-28 2012-01-27 Station-service autonome WO2012103498A2 (fr)

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US61/437,348 2011-01-28

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ITUB20155376A1 (it) * 2015-11-09 2017-05-09 Lorenzo Meinardi Sistema per il controllo di apparati di illuminazione artificiale
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