WO2021133291A1

WO2021133291A1 - Electronic fuel filling system with improved security

Info

Publication number: WO2021133291A1
Application number: PCT/TR2020/050497
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gözde BULGURCU BİLGEN; Berkehan BULGURCU
Original assignee: Bulgurcu Bilgen Goezde; Bulgurcu Berkehan
Priority date: 2019-12-24
Filing date: 2020-06-08
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Also published as: EP3883882A4; EP3883882A1; TR201921344A2

Abstract

The invention consists of a main body (1) inserted onto the orifice of fuel tank trucks used for fuel transfer; a junction box (2) with a protection accommodation function which can be seen and accessed by a user on the side on the main body (1); an indicator (5) being present on the junction box (2) and notifying the user relating to the procedures; an electronic circuit (4) being present in the junction box (2) and enabling all electronic control; a battery (3) being on side of the junction box (2) on the main body (1) and providing the electronic circuit (4) with the electrical energy of need; a S adapter (6) inserted into standard overflow buckets of the main body (1) and facilitating inserting thereof into a narrow place; a ring magnet (9) being present on the S adapter and forming a magnetic field; a hall effect sensor (12) being present on the electronic circuit (4) and detecting the disassembly of the system with magnetic field distance measurement; a multiaxial accelerometer sensor (10) and a vibrometer sensor (11) detecting disassembly of the system by sensing movement and sudden high vibrations on the electronic circuit (4); a battery box (7) accommodating the battery (3); a battery card (8) being present inside the battery box (7) and determining voltage, current and time measurements of the battery; and a sensor determining fuel type, air and fuel quality passing through the main body (1) with the dielectric coefficient.

Description

ELECTRONIC FUEL FILLING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED SECURITY

Technical Field

This invention relates to an electronic fuel filling system with improved security which is fixedly inserted into standard overflow buckets during fuel supply into storage tanks in fuel filling stations, thusly preventing unauthorized filling and preventing wrong filling, which comprises smaller and less movable pieces in its inner structure, in which suitability and status of use of a changeable battery can be controlled with an ID system, which enables continuous use of a product with an alarm before discharge, which detects disassembly thereof thanks to a multiaxial accelerometer and a vibrometer with maximum security and a magnetic field detector hall effect sensor, which transmits information, and in which fuel type and fuel quality may be detected with the sensor therein.

State of Art

Liquid state hydrocarbons formed by alteration of organic material within layers of soil and stored within these layers is called as crude oil. The prefix “crude” in fuel means that it is a raw material and not yet processed. Crude oil is converted into a number of intermediates and fuel products intended for daily use by being resolved (refined) in refineries.

As a result of refinement and processing of crude oil in refineries, approximately 43% gasoline, 18% fuel oil and diesel fuel, 11% LPG (liquefied petroleum gas, propane or propane-butane mixture), 9% jet fuel, 5% asphalt and 14% other products are obtained. Some of these products are used for land vehicles, some for air vehicles and some for other procedures. Crude oil outputs for land vehicles are generally gasoline, diesel fuel and LPG. These products are generally transported via tank truck through roads and are delivered into fuel stations.

There are generally one or more chambers in tanks in tank trucks with which transport from refineries to fuel stations are realized. These chambers are formed so that fuels are not mixed into each other, and each chamber is filled with a different fuel (gasoline, diesel fuel, etc.), and transport of tank truck to fuel station is realized accordingly. As there are more than one chambers within tank trucks, there are also more than one storage in fuel stations to store these fuels. Each storage is filled with a different kind of fuel and the distribution is performed into this storage. These storages are above and/or below ground in fuel stations, and filler orifices may be on tank lid or close and/or distant to storages.

When a tank truck having filled its chambers from a refinery reaches to a fuel station and in case transfer of fuels into storages in a fuel station is preferred, a flow line is formed between the tank truck and storages and the fuel within chambers of the tank truck is transferred into storages by means of this flow line with the aid of gravity and pump.

Nowadays, the flow line used for this procedure is enabled by means of an elastic hose with a connection member on both sides. One end of this elastic hose is connected to the outlet of a chamber within the tank truck by a person, and the other end is connected to the orifice of the storage within which the same kind of fuel is stored, and the transfer is realized accordingly. In the prior art, this procedure is completely realized under the initiative of a person. This causes emergence of some serious risks. The most common of these situations is connection of an end of the flow line mounted to the tank truck and connection of the other end to a different fuel storage, or to a storage with a different kind of fuel. As a concrete example for this situation, the end of the flow line mounted to the tank truck is connected to the diesel fuel chamber, and the other end is connected to the gasoline storage under the fuel station and transfer is realized that way. In this case, diesel fuel within a chamber of the tank truck is transferred into the storage storing gasoline by means of the flow line and in this case diesel fuel and gasoline will be mixed inside the storage storing gasoline. In case of mixture of diesel fuel and gasoline, as it is not possible to distill these two fuels from each other, it will lead to complete cleaning of the storage with this mixture and will render these fuels useless.

Cleaning procedure is will lead to a great amount of costs and time loss. In addition, in case of unawareness of this mixture, this mixed fuel may be transferred into vehicle fuel tanks by means of fuel pumps. Transfer of a fuel into a vehicle functioning with a different kind of fuel and injection of this mixture into an engine may cause serious malfunctions. Thus, it is of great importance that both ends of a flow line are inserted into right chambers and storages.

With increasing population and narrowing of individual spaces in cities not growing in accordance with this population, areas in cities become more valuable. This also necessitates new solutions as existing areas cannot increase capacity thereof. Thus, sub-traffic fuel stations arise and they become important service points with increasing populations day by day. As said stations are required to provide service for more customer within their current areas, every usable area inside a stations has a importance.

In our day, fixedly present special cabinets are formed, in which filling prevention devices are inserted in this filling points due to the shrinking of fuel stations and largeness of the filling prevention devices currently used in the sub-traffic stations in the filling points. This causes additional construction cost and narrows use areas of the stations and leads to obstacles and dangers on passageways of vehicles. Another point is that mostly filling prevention devices cannot be used as stations with sub-traffic filling points are on the way.

These devices used for wrong filling prevention cannot be used or is not desired to be used by the operator from time to time and consequently, wrong fuel transfer into the wrong tank causes huge financial losses.

As wrong filling systems in global standards including features necessitated for devices to function in explosive areas are devices used in explosive environments considered as dangerous areas as present in Zone 0 and Zone 1 , it is crucial importance that a special battery is used here. Change of these batteries with an inappropriate or used batters by unauthorized people or service personnel may cause explosions, thusly constituting a risk. There is a risk of sparkle and inflammability in particularly electronic connections during use of these batteries. Also, there is no indicator present in the current systems regarding the physical life and remaining battery level of the batteries. Thusly, operation of the device stopes in case of battery depletion and the device cannot be used.

Our patent application named “A Smart Fuel Filler Elbow” with application number TR2017/10647 in the prior art consists of a device enabling the prevention of wrong fuel and/or unqualified fuel supply to wrong tank truck by analyzing fuel quality and kind with a number of physical parameters by means of a sensor comprising mechanical resonators during fuel supply into storage tanks in fuel filler stations via a measurement unit, and a smart fuel filler elbow with mobile qualifications which can be carried by a user and easily transported to an area of use. In this patent, the fuel filling elbow is attempted to be inserted onto the orifice of the fuel storage tank. This procedure is difficult and time-consuming particularly in filling point sub-traffic stations. With the aim of wrong connection prevention, the invention has a feature of comprehending the fuel type of the filling point in accordance with the magnet's pole on the filling orifice via a magnetic sensor comprised as an advantage.

As a result, there is an obvious need for an invention that has important advantages compared to the prior art implementations, has low substructure and installation cost in all stations and stations with fuel filling system filling points being sub-traffic stations, has the feature of easy assembly and enabling easy installation.

Technical Problems Solved by Invention

This invention relating to an electronic fuel filling system with improved security which is fixedly inserted into standard overflow buckets during fuel supply into storage tanks in fuel filling stations, thusly preventing unauthorized filling and preventing wrong filling, which comprises smaller and less movable pieces in its inner structure, in which suitability and status of use of a changeable battery can be controlled with an ID system, which enables continuous use of a product with an alarm before discharge, which detects disassembly thereof thanks to a multiaxial accelerometer and a vibrometer with maximum security and a magnetic field detector hall effect sensor, which transmits information, and in which fuel type and fuel quality may be detected with the sensor therein overcomes all aforementioned disadvantages characterized in that a mulfunction is not caused due to the fact that wrong filling to the fuel storages in the fuel stations is prevented, the main body is smaller, financial losses in the stations may be prevented by overcoming non-use of this device by the operator and unauthorized filling with fixed use in the stations with sub-traffic filling points via eliminations of problems caused by the contact of the same to the sides of the filling point inside the filling points thanks to the S adapter, inappropriate or used battery cannot be inserted during an intervention to the junction box section, discharge of the used battery may be notified in advance, disassembly thereof may be detected, and there is no movable part such as a buoy therein.

In case of malfunctioning of any components into which the fuel of the prior art arrives, there is a buoy consisting of an outer cover, a magnet and a sensor sensing the magnet in the filling elbows causing the malfunctioning risk and enabling fuel supply depending on whether there is a filling or not by measuring the level of fuel inside the filling elbow body. This level measurement procedure is performed with the capability of sensing air of the sensor in the prior art and absence of fuel in case of incoming air and presence of fuel in case of air absence and in this case adaptation of this situation into the system with a change in the software, and thusly use of the buoy is eliminated and number of the used movable parts is decreased.

There is a defined battery card connected to the electronic card on the battery. The battery card checks the battery and detects the energy spent on the filling procedure by taking voltage, current and time measurements, and thusly fullness level of the battery is determined or calculated. The device cannot function due to the inability of overcoming ID control due to inappropriate matching even if a different battery with the same features is inserted during battery change. The valid provision for activation of the device is ID suitability between battery-battery card-electronic circuit. Also, the battery box is reinforced with resin in order for having a security feature against shocks and impacts while inserting the battery into the battery box. Thanks to resin- reinforcement, intervention by unauthorized people is rendered difficult as battery cannot be separated from the battery box easily.

There is an electronic card inside the junction box on the main body. There is a communication system with fuel filling systems inside the electronic card. The data collected on the electronic card is shared by the central server or the main client via the communication system. Thusly, the fuel filling stations are followed from a center. Follow from one single center enables control and follow of individual stations by fuel companies.

Use of a battery which is incompatible with the ID system inside the electronic circuit or which is used is prevented. In case of insertion of incompatible or used battery, the system cannot function due to the lack of ID match between the battery card inside the resin in the battery and the electronic circuit. Thus, use of batteries unaccepted by the manufacturer is prevented and security is maximized. Moreover, an advanced precaution may be taken for any defects such as inability to use the product due to the depletion of the battery during battery change and until the battery change after the depletion of the battery thanks to a system warning before depletion.

These devices used for wrong filling prevention cannot be used or is not desired to be used by the operator from time to time and consequently, wrong fuel transfer into the wrong tank causes huge financial losses. In this device, the hall effect sensor on the main card with the ring magnet inserted on the S adapter closes itself and sends this information to the central server in case the magnetic field formed by the ring magnet with magnetic field forming and sensing is moved away from the distance to be sensed by the sensor, or in case a multiaxial accelerometer and vibrometer sensor preassigned to the device are moved away from angle and distance ranges of necessity or in case of sudden high vibrations. Thusly, use status of the device can be analyzed and the fillings can be conducted securely.

Description of the Figures

Fig. 1- General view of the filling system.

Fig. 2- General view of the filling system.

Fig. 3- View of the filling system as inserted into the standard overflow buckets.

Fig. 4- View of the filling system as inserted into the standard overflow buckets.

Fig. 5- Battery box detailed view inside the junction box in the filling system.

Fig. 6- Electronic circuit detailed view in the filling system.

Fig. 7- Electronic circuit and battery card detailed view in the filling system.

Fig. 8- Graphic illustrating differentiation of fuel types with dielectric coefficient.

Fig. 9- S adapter detailed view in the filling system.

Description of References:

NO PIECE NAME

1 Main body 2 Junction box

3 Battery

4 Electronic circuit

5 Indicator

6 S adapter

7 Battery box

8 Battery card

9 Ring magnet

10 Multiaxial accelerometer sensor

11 Vibrometer sensor

12 Hall effect sensor

The invention consists of a main body (1) inserted onto the orifice of fuel tank trucks used for fuel transfer; a junction box (2) with a protection accommodation function which can be seen and accessed by a user on the side on the main body (1); an indicator (5) being present on the junction box (2) and notifying the user relating to the procedures; an electronic circuit (4) being present in the junction box (2) and enabling all electronic control; a battery (3) being on side of the junction box (2) on the main body (1) and providing the electronic circuit (4) with the electrical energy of need; a S adapter (6) inserted into standard overflow buckets of the main body (1) and facilitating inserting thereof into a narrow place; a ring magnet (9) being present on the S adapter and forming a magnetic field; a hall effect sensor (12) sensing the magnetic field and detecting the disassembly with distancing of the magnetic field; a multiaxial accelerometer sensor (10) and a vibrometer sensor (11) detecting the disassembly of the system by sensing movement and sudden high vibrations on the electronic circuit (4); a battery box (7) accommodating the battery (3); a battery card (8) being present inside the battery box (7) and determining voltage, current and time measurements of the battery; and a sensor determining fuel type, air and fuel quality passing through the main body (1) with the dielectric coefficient.

Description of the Invention

In the electronic fuel filling system, there is a main body (1) which comprises all components thereon, which can be inserted into the standard overflow buckets in the fuel stations and which can stand still. There is a battery (3) on the side of the main body (1). New generation battery (3) also identified in global standards comprising features to be hold by devices to function in explosive areas with additional protection thanks to the exproof feature and changed on a certain basis provides warning close to battery (3) depletion with battery level indicator, thusly continuous use thereof is enabled, has an ID protection integrated into the electronic card (4) and the battery (3) with the battery card (8) having renewed protection circuit, and prevents wrong battery insertion by not functioning unless a compatible battery (3) is inserted. Thusly, the electronic filling system with improved security has been rendered more compact. There is a defined battery card (8) connected to the electronic card (4) on the battery (3). The battery card (8) detects the energy spent on filling by checking the battery (3) and determined the battery (3) life. The system cannot function as ID control cannot be overcome even if the same battery (3) is inserted during the battery (3) change. The valid provision for activation of the system is ID suitability between battery (3)-battery card (8)-electronic circuit (4).

Also, the battery box (7) is reinforced with resin in order for having a security feature against shocks and impacts while inserting the battery (3) into the battery box (7).

There is an indicator (5) on the front portion of the junction box (2) on the main body (1). The product has been rendered more compact with dimensional shrinking of the indicator (5) enabling monitoring of the filling stages on the product and thusly enabling easy visibility of warnings by a user and enabling of a situation in case of a wish to mount other systems thereon with displacement thereof.

There is a sensor connected to the electronic circuit (4) with contact to the fuel inside the main body (1). The sensor detects the dielectric coefficient of the fuel passing through the main body (1). A separate sensor conducts temperature measurement. Said two sensors transmit the sensed data to the electronic circuit (4).

The sensor may determine fuel, air, fuel mixture and fuel quality passing through the main body (1) with the dielectric coefficient. In accordance with this determination, filling is not performed unless fuel type and fuel quality desired by the fuel station are not present. With the dielectric coefficient measurement of the sensor, the fluid inside the system may be detected completely. As an example, the dielectric coefficient of the air is 1 ; the one of the diesel fuel is 2.19 and the one of the gasoline is 2.39. These values vary depending on products of the company, additives used and environmental conditions. With respect to these coefficient ranges, the desired fuel is filled into the desired section, and filling is not performed before detection of the dielectric coefficient range of the desired fuel quality.

Follow of whether fuel companies use fuel desired quality in their stations or not may be enabled, and these values may be kept within range of values requested by the fuel companies. In the electronic circuit (4), the fuel corresponding to the dielectric coefficient determined by the operator may be determined. Thusly, fuel filling outside the determined range cannot be performed and presence of fuel with constantly the same quality may be enabled.

Detection of undesired liquids such as cleaning liquids or water inside the tank trucks during the filling into the filling tanks is also determined with the dielectric coefficient by the sensor. The filling procedure stops in such case. Entry of such liquids into the filling tank is prevented.

After the dielectric coefficient determination of the sensor, the dielectric coefficient determination in the electronic circuit (4) is conducted mathematically. Temperature value is required in such mathematical calculation. There is a temperature sensor inside the main body (1) for temperature detection. The dielectric coefficient is calculated at 15°C fixed temperature according to this system. Thusly, during calculation, the dielectric coefficient calculated in accordance with the current environmental temperature value measured with the temperature sensor is converted into the dielectric coefficient at fixed 15°C with mathematical calculation.

The electronic circuit (4) may send the collected data to peripheral devices and/or main server and central client via the communication system. Hence, the fuel companies may control and remotely follow the filling stations. The fact that there is a movable part in the main body (1) and buoy part with a risk of failure due to contamination factors is eliminated has decreased malfunctioning risk. With this feature, costs and risks are minimized.

Thanks to the aforementioned integrations and improvements performed on the junction box (2) section, the system is rendered accessible for intervention from a single section, and use and maintenance facilities are provided. As the junction box (2) has all components therein, access may be enabled from a single junction box (2) on the main body (1).

A novel S adapter (6) rather than a flat adapter is used for prevention of fitting problem caused by contact of the junction box sections to the filling sections during product insertion into the standard overflow bucket in the prior art, thusly overcoming this problem.

In the electronic fuel filling system with improved security, the hall effect sensor on the electronic circuit (4) and the ring magnet inserted on the S adapter (6) communicate thanks to the magnetic field and it closes itself when the magnetic field is distanced during disassembly, or when the multiaxial accelerometer and vibrometer sensor on the main body (1) preassigned to the device are moved away from angle ranges or distances of necessity or in case of sudden high vibrations, it closes itself and sends this information to the central server. Thusly, use status of the device can be analyzed and the fillings can be conducted securely.

As a consequence of all aforementioned improvements, the product has a smaller structure, fits into the standard overflow buckets, leads to the elimination of the structure called filling cabinet, costs are reduced and is enabled to be used in sub traffic stations filling points and all other stations.

Claims

1 . Fuel filler systems in fuel filler stations characterised in that it consists of:

- a main body (1) comprising all its components thereon, with standard overflow buckets inserted thereinto, eliminating malfunction risk by not incorporating a movable element such as buoy thanks to a sensor, and decreasing maintenance costs,

- a battery (3) being on side of the main body (1), engaged by being identified by an ID identification system from an electronic card (4), enabling continuous use of the product with a warning before discharge, stored inside a battery box (7) and having maximum security measures,

- an indicator (5) being on the front side of a junction box (2) on the main body (1), enabling monitoring of filling stages, shrank dimensionally and enabling easy visibility of alarms by users,

- a sensor connected to the electronic circuit (4) with contact to the fuel inside the main body (1), detecting dielectric coefficient of the fuel passing through the main body (1) and transmitting data to the electronic circuit (4),

- S adapters (6) enabling mountability and connection direction freedom in filler station fuel tank station overflow buckets under the main body (1) along with shrinking of the main body (1).

2. The battery (3) according to claim 1 characterised in that it has a battery card (8) that detects the energy spent on filling by checking the battery (3) and takes voltage, current and time measurements and thusly determining battery (3) life and transmits data to the electronic circuit (4).

3. The battery (3) according to claim 1 characterised in that the battery (3) has a battery box (7) reinforced with resin for having a safety equipments against shocks and impacts.

4. The main body (1) according to claim 1 characterised in that the main body (1) has a junction box (2) enabling a single access point thereon as it comprises all components thereon.

5. The S adapter (6) according to claim 1 characterised in that it has a hall-effect sensor (12) that detects the magnetic field formed by the ring magnet (9) disposed on the S adapter (6) in the electronic fuel filling system with improved security and forming magnetic field, detects disassembly or distancing of the fuel filling system with distancing of the device away from the magnetic field and transmits this information into the electronic circuit (4).

6. The main body (1) according to claim 1 characterised in that it has a multiaxial accelerometer sensor (10) and a vibrometer sensor (11) disposed on the S adapter (6) on the main body (1) in the electronic fuel filling system with improved security, sensing movement and sudden high vibrations and determining disassembly thereof from a fixed point and transmitting this information into the electronic circuit (4).