Title of Invention

ERROR DETECTION ARRANGEMENT & METHOD OF ERROR DETECTION IN A LIQUID FUEL DISPENSING

Abstract

A liquid fuel dispensing system for dispensing liquid fuel from a fuel sump comprising a pump co-operating with said fuel sump and adapted to pump out liquid fuel from said fuel sump, said fuel pump comprising an electric motor and a belt-drive shaft, an outlet for dispensing liquid fuel, a filtering unit fitted between said pump and said fuel dispensing outlet characterized in that said liquid fuel dispensing system comprises at least one first sensor means adapted to measure an operational parameter of said fuel pump, at least one second sensor means for sensing an operational parameter of said filtering unit, and a processing means comprising a receiving means adapted to receive data relating to operational parameters of said first sensing means and said second sensing means, a data storing means having pre-recorded data relating to said operational parameters of said fuel pump and said filtering unit, a comparator means for comparing said received data with said pre-recorded data to identify state of said system and locate error in said system, if any.

Full Text

FORM-2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & THE PATENTS RULES, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See section 10 and rule 13) ERROR DETECTION ARRANGEMENT & METHOD OF ERROR DETECTION IN A LIQUID FUEL DISPENSING SYSTEM DEODHAR PRABHAKAR an Indian National, of Lands Mark, Carter Road, Mumbai 400050, Maharashtra, India. The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed. Field of the Invention: This invention relates to fuel dispensers at fuel pumps. This invention envisages an error detection arrangement & method of error detection in a liquid fuel dispensing system for dispensing liquid fuel from a fuel sump. Background of the Invention: There are lakhs of petrol pumps and fuel pumps being used to dispense fuel at innumerable retail outlets or gas stations all over the world. They all suffer from one unresolved problem as detailed below: 1. These fuel pumps are driven by electric motors by using belt drives. These belts get loose with time and that lowers the pump speed and consequently reduces the fuel delivery rate. 2. The fuel being dispensed has always to be filtered by an in-line filter during fuel delivery to a vehicle. Over a period of time this filter gets choked and in turn it affects the rate of delivery. 3. This fall in the rate of delivery increases the time to service a vehicle which consequently reduces the number of clients served leading to loss of business. 4. Today NO FUEL PUMP manufactured anywhere in the world has any automatic display of drop in delivery rate to alert the service providers of this deficiency. 5. It is difficult for the operator to notice this drop in the fuel dispensing rate. Objects of the Invention: One object of the invention is to identify the source of the problem which results in poor fuel dispensing efficiency, typically arising due to wear and tear of pump assembly or due to clogging of filtering assembly. Another object of the invention is to provide a system and apparatus to identify the source of the problem which results in poor fuel dispensing efficiency, such that it is applicable to the existing fueling environment. Summary of the Invention: This invention envisages a method and arrangement to automatically detect and display and alert the service provider with visual and or audible on-panel indications for both problems, namely, loosening of belt and choking of the fuel filter/ fuel pipe in the dispenser. This information can also be sent via the on-line networked fuel pumps for its automatic inclusion in the MIS. The invention envisages an arrangement to measure the speed of the pump pulley with a non-contact speed sensor and also keep the record of the peak delivery rate achieved by the pump over a programmable period of time. a. If there is a drop in maximum pump speed, it is sensed by comparing pump speed with that of motor speed. This detects loosening of the belt and suitably announced on the control panel and this information is sent on the MIS network. b. If there is a drop in the peak rate of delivery as shown by the metering rate of flow but the pump speed is found to be normal, the logic concludes that fuel line or the filter is choked and needs attention. This condition is also separately identified and announced as stated above. In accordance with the invention, there is provided an error detection arrangement in a liquid fuel dispensing system for dispensing liquid fuel from a fuel sump comprising a pump co-operating with said fuel sump to pump out liquid fuel from said fuel sump, said fuel pump comprising an electric motor and a belt-drive shaft, an outlet for dispensing liquid fuel by means of an outlet nozzle, a filtering unit fitted between said pump and said fuel dispensing outlet characterized in that said liquid fuel dispensing system comprises at least one first sensor means to measure rotations per minute of said fuel pump, at least one second sensor means for sensing fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit, said second sensor means fitted between said filtering unit and said outlet nozzle, said readings of first and second sensor being relayed to a processing means comprising a receiving means to receive data of said first and second sensing means, a data storing means having pre-recorded data relating to said fuel pump and said filtering unit, a comparator means for comparing said received data with said pre-recorded data to identify state of said system and to determine any discrepancy between said readings to locate error in said system, if any, and a display means to display said discrepancy. Typically, said display means is selected from a visual means, an audio means, or an audio-visual means. Typically, a method for detecting error during dispensing liquid fuel and detecting errors in path of flow of liquid fuel from a fuel sump to a fuel dispensing outlet comprising the following steps: a. storing data relating to a calibrated rotations per minute of said fuel pump in a processing means; b. storing data relating to calibrated fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit in a data storing means of said processing means; c. sensing actual data relating to rotations per minute of said fuel pump; d. sensing actual data relating to fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit; e. transmitting the sensed actual data in steps (c) and (d) to said receiving means of said processing means; f. comparing actual data relating to rotations per minute of said fuel pump and fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit with corresponding data stored in said data storing means to identify the discrepancy between said readings; g. displaying said discrepancy of readings on said display means. This solution is unique and is not implemented in any fuel pump or dispenser manufactured in the world so far and being used at any gas station, retail fuel dispensing outlets. Brief Description of Accompanying Drawings: The invention will now be disclosed in relation to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a liquid fueling environment from its source to its outlet, typically used to replenish vehicles. Detailed Description of Accompanying Drawings: Figure 1 illustrates a liquid fueling environment in accordance with this invention, from its source to its outlet, typically used to replenish vehicles. A fuel sump (10) is typically placed underground. It is a storehouse for a large quantity of liquid fuel before it is dispensed out in adequate measures. A pump (12) draws out liquid fuel from the sump (10). An outlet nozzle (14) delivers the liquid fuel driven out from the sump (10) through the pump (12). As soon as the nozzle (14) is disengaged from its residing position at the outlet (16), the pump (12) powers-up and starts drawing out the liquid fuel from the sump (10). Excess of fuel drawn out from the sump (10) and not relayed out of the nozzle (14) is transferred back to the sump (10) through a feedback assembly (18). The pump (12) comprises an electric motor coupled to the pump (12) via a belt drive. The belt drive is subject to slackening due to wear and tear. This results in lesser than calibrated fuel being drawn out of the pump (12). Hence, a first sensing device (20) is placed to measure an operational parameter of the pump (12), typically the rotations per minute recorded by a tachometer. A filter (21) is placed in between the pump (12) and the outlet nozzle (14) to filter out any contaminants. A second sensing device (22) is located to measure an operational parameter of the filter (21), typically the fuel delivery rate at the outlet (16). The readings of both sensing devices (20, 22) are relayed to a processing means (24) which has a receiving means (24a) and a data storing means (24b) storing the pre-determined/calibrated reading for comparative analysis. A comparator means (24c) also provided in the processing means (24) continually compares the readings from the sensing devices (20, 22) received by said receiving means (24a) with calibrated readings stored in said data storing means (24b)of the processing means (24). Any discrepancy of readings between the current value and the calibrated value is highlighted at the output of the processing means (24), typically through a display means (24d), e.g. a visual display means, or an audio display means or an audiovisual display means. This system and method helps in exactly pinpointing the source of problem. Typical examples where problems could arise are when the belt of the pump (12) slackens due to wear and tear or when the filter (21) gets clogged. In an instance when the belt slackens, the pump (12) draws out lesser fuel than its rated value. This mismatch is confirmed by the first sensing device (20) in conjunction with the control device (24) and relayed onto the output of said processing means (24). In another instance, when the filter (21) is clogged, the pump (12) draws out fuel efficiently from the sump (10), but the outlet nozzle (14) does not deliver the rated fuel per given time period. This mismatch is confirmed by the second sensing device (22) in conjunction with the processing means (24) and relayed onto the output of processing means (24). While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation. I Claim: 1. An error detection arrangement in a liquid fuel dispensing system for dispensing liquid fuel from a fuel sump (10) comprising a pump (12) co-operating with said fuel sump (10) to pump out liquid fuel from said fuel sump (10), said fuel pump (12) comprising an electric motor and a belt-drive shaft, an outlet (16) for dispensing liquid fuel by means of an outlet nozzle (14), a filtering unit (21) fitted between said pump (10) and said fuel dispensing outlet (16) characterized in that said liquid fuel dispensing system comprises at least one first sensor means (20) to measure rotations per minute of said fuel pump (12), at least one second sensor means (22) for sensing fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit (21), said second sensor means fitted between said filtering unit (21) and said outlet nozzle (14), said readings of first and second sensor being relayed to a processing means (24) comprising a receiving means (24a) to receive data of said first and second sensing means (20, 22), a data storing means (24b) having pre-recorded data relating to said fuel pump (12) and said filtering unit (21), a comparator means (24c) for comparing said received data with said pre-recorded data to identify state of said system and determine any discrepancy between said readings to and locate error in said system, if any, and a display means (24d) to display said discrepancy. 2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1 6 wherein, said display means is selected from a visual means, an audio means, or an audio-visual means. 3. A method for detecting error during dispensing liquid fuel and detecting errors in path of flow of liquid fuel from a fuel sump (10) to a fuel dispensing outlet (16) comprising the following steps: a. storing data relating to a calibrated rotations per minute of said fuel pump (12) in a processing unit (24); b. storing data relating to a calibrated fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit (21) in a data storing means (24b) of said processing unit (24); c. sensing actual data relating to rotations per minute of said fuel pump; d. sensing actual data relating to fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit (21); e. transmitting the sensed actual data in steps (c) and (d) to said receiving means (24a) of said processing means (24); f. comparing actual data relating to rotations per minute of said fuel pump (12) and fuel delivery rate at the outlet of said filtering unit (21) with corresponding stored data in said data storing means (24b) to identify the discrepancy between said readings; g. displaying said discrepancy of readings on said display means (24d).

Documents:

283-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-ABSTRACT(17-1-2011).pdf

283-mum-2007-abstract(9-10-2007).doc

283-mum-2007-abstract(9-10-2007).pdf

283-mum-2007-claims(9-10-2007).doc

283-mum-2007-claims(9-10-2007).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(17-1-2011).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CLAIMS(AMENDED)-(3-9-2014).pdf

283-mum-2007-correspondance-received.pdf

283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(12-1-2010).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(12-4-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(21-9-2011).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(28-1-2014).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(6-12-2013).pdf

283-MUM-2007-CORRESPONDENCE(8-11-2011).pdf

283-mum-2007-correspondence(9-10-2007).pdf

283-mum-2007-description (provisional).pdf

283-mum-2007-description(complete)-(9-10-2007).pdf

283-MUM-2007-DRAWING(1-6-2012).pdf

283-mum-2007-drawing(9-10-2007).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 1(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 1(17-1-2011).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 13(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 18(19-11-2007).pdf

283-mum-2007-form 2(9-10-2007).doc

283-mum-2007-form 2(9-10-2007).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 2(TITLE PAGE)-(17-1-2011).pdf

283-mum-2007-form 2(title page)-(9-10-2007).pdf

283-mum-2007-form 3(13-2-2007).pdf

283-mum-2007-form 5(9-10-2007).pdf

283-MUM-2007-FORM 9(9-11-2007).pdf

283-mum-2007-form-1.pdf

283-mum-2007-form-2.doc

283-mum-2007-form-2.pdf

283-mum-2007-form-26.pdf

283-mum-2007-form-3.pdf

283-MUM-2007-MARKED COPY(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-MARKED COPY(3-9-2014).pdf

283-mum-2007-power of attorney(13-2-2007).pdf

283-MUM-2007-POWER OF ATTORNEY(3-9-2014).pdf

283-MUM-2007-REPLY TO EXAMINATION REPORT(17-1-2011).pdf

283-MUM-2007-REPLY TO HEARING(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-REPLY TO HEARING(3-9-2014).pdf

283-MUM-2007-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(1-6-2012).pdf

283-MUM-2007-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(17-1-2011).pdf

283-MUM-2007-SPECIFICATION(AMENDED)-(3-9-2014).pdf